HFA child and school

[onceortwice]

My little boy is 4.

He has been rejected (horrid word, but true) from all prep schools.

I have enrolled him into the local state school. A week in and he's hating it.

Specialist schools aren't applicable, because DS has a massive (around 200) IQ.

What would you do?

1. Steiner school?
2. HE?
3. Stick with state?

Honest opinions much appreciated.

Have posted in Education too, but this site gets more posters, I think. x

No, they wouldn't accept DS until next Sept at the earliest but have said no due to the reports they have seen.

Where is your LO now? YOu are St. ALbans, right?

Sorry to explain my DS is in his local mainstream school - 2 form entry, 30 children per class. It is working so far, he would struggle FT (and not benefit from the extra time there). Just wanted to say with the right school and ABA team it can work. We were lucky in that got ABA established and won through tribunal before he started school, so we were able to approach schools on the basis of a tribunal ordering the LA to find us a school to do ABA in, rather than the scenario of wanting to get ABA into a school against the LA.

But you do have to show ABA works for your child to win at tribunal (and the alternatives offered will not work). I suppose I just wondered if there may be an option of funding ABA yourself for a while & your DS just doing PT school and then gradually getting ABA into school? I would suggest you try Yahoo ABA group and see if anyone can recommend State schools which are ABA friendly. Schools which have seen ABA first hand - had other children with ABA are more likely to support you. But you could also approach your current school once you decide if ABA is something you would like to bring into school.

DS does not have much in the way of sensory issues though so he copes quite well in a mainstream class.

Forgot to say we are the other end of the country so I can't help you on schools.

There must indeed be some non-selective private prep schools where you are! I think these are often the best bet and most supportive for ABA (as well as the other advantages; more rigorous behaviour policies, special support in place for gifted & talented, small classes etc).

Other than your ds hating school, are you happy with it, and feel confident he'll get the right support? Only ask because the problem might not be this school, but might be any school, iyswim, and the problem might be more about helping him to transition and giving him proper help to feel happy and motivated about going. Out of the frying pan and into the fire and all that.

Normally, I wouldn't recommend the independent sector, but given where you are, if you are to have any chance of introducing ABA at that age I'm afraid it will almost certainly have to be into an independent school. HTs have been sent circulars on how barbaric ABA is and are encouraged to refuse it on principle.

Commission for keeping SEN children out of Herts?

lol. I've seen lots. I promise I could also name a heap of shite ones...

Well, I Haven't found a single local indie prep that will take my son.

Sorry, hit post too soon... Starlight - I would be interested in any prep you think I should contact re. my DS. Would need to be 10-15 miles of Hemel, as my DD is happily settled in nursery there.

ONly one I've come up with so far is Lockers Park. They seem nice (but not till next September)