Independent help with special schools & statements

[chickensaresafehere]

DD started mainstream school in September last year with a full statement.
Last week she was finally dx'd with Worster Drought Syndrome and we were advised by the Professor that dx'd her,that a special school would be the best place for her as her expressive language is unlikely to improve(she is non-verbal).He advised a S&L school or a school for the deaf.
If this is not a really silly question,I just don't have a clue what my next step is.I am finding it very difficult to find out about these schools on-line & really need some independent advice.
Who would help me??

You got a dx, fab news!! Your lea should be able to send you list of schools locally, you should have got one when you first got to name a school if you still have the paperwork. Have you tried searching the ofsted website? You could try the ndcs helpline, ican or afasic.

If she already has a statement, you may have to wait until a review to request a change of school, since you want a change from a mainstream to special. If it's going to be a while before her annual review is due, you can ask for it to be brought forward.

Some LAs have S&L/HI units attached to mainstream - legally this is regarded as a mainstream placement, even if the unit is named, so you would be able to request a change of school through a letter to the LA and not necessarily have to go through the review process. (You can only request a change of school directly if she is moving from one mainstream to another mainstream, or special to another special school).

Have a look at your LA and your neighbouring LA's websites for information on types of SN covered in units/special schools. Often these aren't listed on databases, especially for units, but you have to look at the school's individual websites or the Ofsted reports. Your local Parent Partnership should have good local knowledge, though they might not be keen to tell you about schools out of borough/private schools.

As you are looking for quite a specific type of special school, you should look at independent special schools as well as state special schools, since most state ss tend to be generic. ISBI website lists independent special schools.

Thanks NinjaGoose,we have fought long & hard for it,but I must admit it is bittersweet
krystalklear thanks,great advice!!

Phone the LEA teacher of the deaf as well as looking for a special school. You may be waiting a while for a proper placement (tribunal etc) and meanwhile your dd needs their support so the teachers have more idea how to help her express herself.

They're almost invariably very helpful, but if there are barriers, say she may have fluctuating hearing & processing problems caused by wds related glue ear.

[takes an assessment to decide whether or not she has a bit of glue ear /APD and anyway oro-motor issues genuinely do cause it]