Dear Parents
My question is about our non-verbal 9 nine year son with ASD who with an ABA package had accessed a busy mainstream school part time, where he was able to mix and interact with his NT peer group quite successfully on a social level ie dinner times, making friends, lining up at play times, some class time, assemblies, PE, outings etc . He has also attended special schools (without ABA) twice but both times he found it difficult and did not make much progress and behaviour was a constant concern. Although he is non verbal but he is very sociable, it is documented to show that he doesn?t have issues with routines, places, face, sounds, touch etc. You would think that the issues for an ASD child would be in coming from a special school to a mainstream school but for him it was problematic coming from a mainstream setting to a special. LA ended his successful ABA programme which in turn ended his involvement with the mainstream school despite all reports confirming a child meeting targets set out on his statement. The LA could not deny progress but used the ?not enough? progress card, as they felt a small ASD class in school for PMLD children could bring about the same progress and therefore meet his needs. Long story short, I have given them a 6000 word summary highlighting systematic failing in his provision at the school and strong references in regards to regression, but the LA still insist that the school is the right place for him He was there for a year and since Sept 2012 I have not sent him back and he has been home with no assistance or support form SENAR in any way. He has 1 hr of SALT or OT supplied by private SE professional, but even that has been refused on the basis that it will be supplied if I send him back to school. Sending him back to the PMLD school will be putting him back in harms way both a physical level(he been injured by other children) and emotional level. I am asking for ABA to be reinstated as it has been the most appropriate and successful provision for him but the LA oppose and have forced us to go to tribunal. How can most strengthen our case at the tribunal to secure full ABA support to enable p/t mainstream school inclusion, also to enable learning in the community ie buses, road safety, supermarket queues etc and some home based learning for generalisation and academics., The LA seemed to have blocked a few local mainstream schools from ?getting involved? and without a local mainstream saying yes to our son attending a casual basis ie for social opportunities this weaken our case . any advice welcome