Moving from Scotland to England. Please help with advise on the area

[AAmommy]

Hi,
Please help! I have a 2.5 year-old boy who is possibly on a Spectrum (we are now going through the ?fun? road of assessment). He definitely has Speech and Language delay and LOTS of sensory issues. I was told he probably is on a mild end of the Spectrum (high-functioning).
We currently live in Scotland but consider moving to England hoping for better provisions and access to the resources. We have already started ABA program for him here but have problems with finding good tutors and other provisions.
After 4 months waiting time I finally had SALT appointment and now my DS will be having once a week SALT sessions, there is no OT provisions (though he does have LOTS of sensory issues). Our EP suggested MS with support in the school (not sure what kind of support though!!!). They are reluctant of having ABA tutors with him in the pre-school and only agree to have them during transition phase. Of course there is no chance for funding ABA.
We were considering moving into Surrey area - Kingston, Surbiton, Richmond (more Hampton, Twickinham, Ham) or Teddington. Another possibility is Epsom. I was wondering about MS with good provisions for kids with mild autism, SALT and OT support (and waiting time for those), ABA program funding in those areas. Or any other information you could help me with.
I do not know how this all works in England, so would appreciate any advice but would really appreciate your advice on the area and any other information which you could help me out with!!!
I know this topic has been discussed before and I have read the previous threads most of which are more than a year old. But I also know that situation changes and different kids have different needs and support requirements.
PLEASE HELP!

Hertfordshire is still notorious. So is Kent. But the main issue is that statements are going to be abolished, and the new hodgepodge of health/education/social provision will be discretionary and resource-limited.
It's not clear if there will be a proper independent tribunal service either. So you'll probably want to apply for assessment for statement of SEN as soon as you get an English address. IPSEA have model letters etc.

Kingston borough and Richmond borough cover the London areas you mention. Epsom is Surrey proper. Remember you're not far from Hounslow, which is a lot cheaper and this might be important as I suspect you'll end up paying for a lot of education and therapies. Try out a few parks and play centres there; personally I find posher area parents tend to be a bit catsbum-face to DS1.

Hopefully some locals will answer too, as I don't know how any of those councils are for ABA style provision; I'd imagine the worst. You may be able to sneak an ABA trained person into nursery as a 'volunteer' or a poorly paid TA. It doesn't mean they'll be allowed to 'do' ABA with your ds during his sessions but they can educate the other staff, and build on his nursery stuff at home. You'd probably then pay them way over the odds for the home sessions.

SALT and OT is heavily rationed in England, as in Scotland. And it's been cut a lot more in the last 12 months or so. You can call or email the local NHS services for their referral criteria. Look on-line too, some take self-referrals. TBH I wouldn't move till you've had the SALT sessions you're booked for: you'll probably go to the bottom of a new waiting list which means missing precious months. OT is worth doing privately since it's so limited on the NHS.

Try SOSSEN for advice, they're based down that way. Also The Little Group (or something like that?) which is private, well-respected and near Epsom.

Thanks a lot, mariamariam!!! I do have a lot to think about. I know it is a risky decision, but I really hope the better service will help my little one more. My main issue here is ABA tutors, they are very scare and not as professional as you would like.....

From what I read about tutors, people often train up promising ones themselves. It might be worth posting specifically about ABA in England with respect to areas and tutors so the more knowledgable people pick up on your thread. I don't know about Scotland, but Wales (Bangor) and Northern Ireland (Belfast) seem to have a lot of ABA research and practical stuff going on at university level. And the real key to success with almost any SN seems to be a child having fun, whose parents understand the various interventions.

Hi mariamariam,
I am trying, but as there is not much options here, it is very hard. Also, tutors here are all students and by the time they are trained, they leave :(.
Ireland or Wales is not an option as DH can only work in london. Having fun is my main issue, tutors seem to have a problem with imagining fun activities, I constantly interfere or some of them will be building mega blocks with him whole day....

Hi AAmommy -I just sent you a PM

squiggly1, again THANK YOU for all this information!!! One thing which I have learned through this tough times is that the only real support you get is from moms who know what you are going through (as they have been through that themselves)!!! Thank you!

I have pm-ed you

Dear all,
Thanks again for all the information. Does anyone know, if Scotland's statement will work in England, or will we have to do a new statement in England? Thank you all again!