can anyone tell me more about the ability levels in MLD schools please

[slacklucy]

Hi I'm starting to look at secondary schools for ds2. He is currently at a lovely small ms primary with 1 to1 support via a statement.
I just cant see him happy at a busy ms secondary & i cant see how will achieve any form of indipendance in such a busy environment.

He has a dx of autism, mild CP & learning difficulties. His understanding is very good in terms of following simple instructions & his behaviour is excellent.

He does however suffer with high anxiety levels which make communication for him very difficult, he rarely speaks openly at school, doesnt request help. Struggles to organise himself, would not manage for example organising the correct books to take to the next lesson or finding he correct classroom without support.
Academically he is very behind, he has just learnt his first set of 20 high frequency words, cannot spell or write at all without support.
He is also very aware that he gets help that others dont and hates being different.

I suppose i'm a bit fearful that we wont find him a school to suit i'm worried that he would struggle & be unhappy at ms but be too able for ss.

Please could you share your experience.

i should add he is currently in yr4 & the gap is becoming more obvious

The ability levels vary dependant on the school and the pupils currently on roll, at year four start planning and gathering information and evidence for a SS placement you do not have to make the decision and can change your mind up closer to the time. Also look at units and any ASD specific schools etc. I have known parents request the change at year 6 to avoid the SATs and have peer time before translation to secondary and to increase self esteem.

I think you would also need to speak to the specific school and find out if they can meet both the social and academic needs of your child. The ss that we are looking at for DS2 has stated that they can meet his needs by tailoring his academic needs specifically for him. That's not something we would have known if we hadn't spoken to them personally about it.

That's a huge gap. He's working at reception level in Y4.

My guess is that a MLD school would be suitable for him.

I think the one near me caters for children like yours - but I neither know your child, nor the MLD school very well.

Thanks for your feedback, I dont know if its because we and his current school r used to him but he seems so able iykwim but academically he is so very behind, because e is so quiet he doesnt stand out. I guess I need to bite the bullet and have a look. I also just dont know where he would feel happier. Oh its hard isnt it.

My son was also working at reception level in yr 4... and he is at a Special School...and thriving! DS2 has ASD, moderate LDs and mild physical disability (sounds very similar!) and he one of the more able at his special school... which is wonderful for his self esteem as he is also a very anxious to please child.

He is 14 now.. and is integrating for some topics, in the support base of our partner mainstream secondary, and is well supported there too, however I would not have wanted him full time in mainstream; the gap is that bit too big to be entirely happy, safe or accepted.

Have a look at schools ..:)

thanks Medusa, thats really encouraging. our boys do sound similar :)
I think its his self esteem and happiness i worry about the most. I think he will reach his academic potential wherever he is its all the other stuff that worries me.
He is already feeling very different & i think its only going to worsen as the desire to fit n only gets worse as they get older.
I also have a NT 12yr old who thinks he's cool :)

Im going to make an appointment tomorrow, i've got two SS in mind so i'll get looking.

Oh and I meant to add... it won't hold him back, academically, if you do decide to go SS route. The very best thing about a good special school is that they work at each child's pace.. in very small classes (my son's classes have never been bigger than 9 kids with three adults!).

If you had told me when my son was in yr 4, that now, in year 10, he would be integrating into a mainstream school for maths I'd have laughed! He could barely write his name let alone anything else.. but gradually as stuff 'clicked' school has moved heaven and earth to make sure he has opportunities. No he isn't going to leave with GCSEs but he will be doing 'entry levels' next year in maths and english!
Also in SS he has friends.. real friends.. which for a child with ASD is pretty fabulous. Ok they all have SN, they are all quirky and different and interesting.. but he never feels less worthy, less able.. because he isn't.. and his confidence has grown so that when he integrates he feels ok.. he hasn't had years of experience of being the dumb one:)

My son doesn't really understand how he is different because thankfully his autism doesn't allow him to process that at all.. but for us SS has been a massively positive experience.. (so much that I now work there too )

And he's cool anyway... 6 ft with the world's biggest blond afro going :D:D:

I work in a MLD secondary school (11-19) and our students range in ability from a cognitive level of 12 months to post 16 students reading, writing, doing Maths and work experience etc. It's a huge range.

Thanks to both of you.
Medusa, what a wonderful post, that is exactly what i want for my son. Part of the problem for DS2 is he doesnt really know how/why he is different but he is aware that he has help that the others dont & the other children ask questions which he hates.

Yep my ds is cool too