Statement for beginners

[devilinside]

Looks like we will be requesting one for DS (HFA), his teacher is behind this and is 'gathering information' to start the ball rolling.

At the moment DS is in our third choice primary, which is improving, due to a new head, but still lots of areas I am not happy with including his academic progress (still barely writing his name at 6). However, the school seems to suit him 'socially' with a large cultural mix and other SEN children, he even has a few friends.

There is a fantastic primary out of our catchment, very high achieving, (3 bed houses nearby cost half a million). Definitely, more academic, but not nearly as 'socially' diverse.

Final thing to add to the mix, they are building a school for ASD children in our borough (will be open in a year), but not sure that would be the right place for
him.

Does anyone have experience of selecting a school for their statemented ASD child. Is social environment more important than academic?

It depends on your child really. From our perspective if DS was happy socially then I would leave him where he was as he struggles socially big time and social skills and feeling comfortable are important as are friends :)

I would perhaps help him academically at home if the school are not up to scratch. As I know no matter what high achieving school I put DS in if he was unhappy he would not learn anyway so it would have a detremental effect to put learning pressures above social iyswim.

DS is HF AS and was in a good Primary school already. He is doing well academically anyway and the help he has had is socially which is where he needs it. I would say I would choose social over academics as I know I can teach the academics out of school if necessary. The high school we have chosen is better for SEN and there are better around for academics but if he is not happy and relaxed he won't be able to learn.

In answer to your other question in naming schools I am not 100% and perhaps someone else could me more precise but I think its hard to name a school out of your catchment area unless you can prove this school can meet your sons needs where the other school cant? The LA of course would pick the one in your area first. Also transport, I was told if I chose to name a school out of my area then I would be responsible for transport costs not the LA.

Someone else could probably explain this better but if you wish to change I would visit the other school and meet them and start listing the pros and cons down as to which school you wish him to go to :)