Advice please re son ASD and school

[BitWearyReally]

Hello, I have name changed for this. My son is 5, yr 1, mainstream school. Recently diagnosed with ASD, he also has learning difficulties. I don't know where he sits on the spectrum but his development is way behind his peers now. In his home link book they said he has been running off a lot lately and that it's getting difficult to know where he is, as he goes fast. I should also add that he does not have a statement yet but this is, hopefully, in the pipeline. I have chatted with my son about this and will continue to do so, but his understanding is always questionable, although improving. I have discussed with school this morning briefly, but really I feel that they should be telling me how they propose to make sure this doesn't/can't happen. I've read his book again this morning and my underlying feeling is that they have just told me they have lost him several times! I am not great at being assertive with the school and trying to keep things on an even keel with them til the statement is in place, and they are fab in many ways. I want to work with them best I can to help him understand this isn't acceptable but there is still going to be the risk that he will do this at the moment I feel. Gosh it's hard work with schools isn't it. I'm so new to the diagnosis as well, I don't have all the answers but I feel like he is still presented to me as my naughty child in some ways. OK WWYD. Tell me how to deal with this. Be gentle Starlight if you are reading this!!!!!!

OK, so school need to be keeping him safe at the very least. If that means he needs some 1:1 support straight away, they should be providing it and chasing up his statement. Who has requested the statement, school or yourself? If school, I would be checking that they have actually done it. Personally, I requested my own DS's statement as I wanted to make sure it was done and to have a small amount of control. It's easy to do, there's a standard letter on the IPSEA website.

The school will be having to show that they are supporting your DS from within their own means/budget (not that their budget should be your worry at all) and that despite this support, he's still not making adequate progress. So while the statutory assessment is going through, they should be providing your DS with some documented support.

What's your relationship like with the SENCo? Have you had a look at the SENCOP yet? It's long, but the relevant sections about Statutory assessment/statementing should become night time reading!

Some bedtime reading!

www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DfES%200581%20200MIG2228.pdf

If it's any help my son (who sounds similar to yours) was running off in year one, but that has stopped in year two (although, he still runs away from me). As far as the Statement is concerned, that's an ongoing battle. The school claim he is progressing - he's only just writing his 3 letter name - I don't think so. I think we shall be going down the route of requesting one ourselves

Thanks ladies. The statement, assuming he gets it which I think he will, should be with us soon. Feels a bit like I am treading water in the meantime, trying to keep a good relationship with school but when they present me with issues like this, I think the issue is in house, I can do my best to discuss it with him as far as he gets is, but yes it is a safety issue. I want reassurance that my son isn't going to get lost! My son isn't making academic progress as such, he is right at the very beginning stages of learning and his development is significantly delayed, although I think he is making progress developmentally (when compared against himself iyswim).

Measuring progress against himself is much the best way to do it, for your own sanity. A class full of NT DC can be upsetting as it highlights the differences, but the important thing is that he is making progress.

As you are already far down the statementing route, I'll let you off homework!

I think you are right, though. It's a safety issue, school need to be managing it, you can't do anything about it when he's at school and you are not. You aren't going to be able to 'tell him not to run off,' from home and expect him to understand this and follow your instructions at school. TBH, that wouldn't work with many Y1 DC, let alone one with ASD! You need to find out what school will be doing. In a 'How are you going to ensure the safety of DS,' kind of way.