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Original poster

SN to mainstream?

15 replies

paperlantern · 26/09/2013 19:07

has anyone else done this and it's gone well?

basically ds (6 Asd) has done really well over the last few years and his consultant has mentioned considering mainstream. Confused total bolt from the blue as I had assumed he would be in sn school all the way through.

would like other peoples experinces amd pitfalls. what support has worked what hasn't
Thanks

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Original poster
paperlantern · 26/09/2013 19:10

actually would love to hear from those for whom it hasn't worked too. Would like both perspectives to try and sort out my own.....

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claw2 · 26/09/2013 19:25

Who is the consultant? and why are they concerning themselves with educational matters?

AgnesDiPesto · 26/09/2013 19:27

Not our situation (DS has ABA + mainstream and never been SN school) but DS ABA staff are increasingly able to fade back in class / playground for short chunks and while (like you) i think a complete transition to m/s without ABA feels unlikely its an aim of most ABA / mainstream placements and I do know of a child who was completely independent of ABA support in mainstream by age 10.
I know of two children who have moved about age 6 from SN school to mainstream (they are much older than ds it was back in the days when the LA let children with asd into the SN nursery) and both have done well. One was on the talented and gifted register for maths in his mainstream school and had a nice group of friends. The other is living and working independently now, doing well the only downside he can't find a girlfriend.
I think they both did a dual placement / gradual transition over the course of a year (a TA from SN school supported them in mainstream) before went FT in mainstream.

Original poster
paperlantern · 26/09/2013 19:28

because he is a super caring consultant who is worried he isn't getting enough mental stimulationGrin

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claw2 · 26/09/2013 19:33

What do you and school think of his suggestion? It would depend entirely on what your ds's needs are.

We are heading in the opposite direction away from MS.

Original poster
paperlantern · 26/09/2013 19:49

I don't have a view on his suggestion yet. Grin

I'm unhappy with ds complete lack of "academic" progress and the schools lack of expectations.

on the other hand I do struggle to picture him in mainstream.

he has come on incredibly in the last 6 months.

I have wondered about a mixed placement but im also mid way through tribunal process essentially asking for an incredible sn school. but ds getting it is a real long shot

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Original poster
paperlantern · 26/09/2013 19:52

if he doesn't get it I'm not sure I'm happy him staying where he is.

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claw2 · 26/09/2013 20:05

Ds is potentially very capable academically, although he has never achieved this in previous MS. I found ds couldn't fulfil his academic progress in MS due to his other needs not being met.

He has just started at indi MS school, with specialist provision onsite, who specialise in ASD (although he doesn't have access to all the specialist provision yet) he is benefitting from smaller classes etc

AgnesDiPesto · 26/09/2013 23:06

What kind of a consultant?
Depends if its a genuine view or if its a 'i've been told to say this to help the LA win the tribunal' view.

You should go and look at mainstream and then decide whether to hang out for your tribunal school - if you lose your tribunal you can probably negotiate a move to mainstream or dual placement fairly easily so maybe one you want to park until you know the outcome

Original poster
paperlantern · 27/09/2013 07:34

consultants comments are genuine.

really looking for picking the experiences of those who have done it. whether it has been done effectively etc. what to ensure is in the statement. and yes dual placement.

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Original poster
paperlantern · 27/09/2013 07:37

yes I think I should also be looking at mainstream. essentially I'm concerned I could loose the brill sn school on the day of the tribunal and another school named same day. if I'm not convinced by by him staying where he is I need to know my own mind in order to do a quick change and get the statement right for the possibility of mainstream

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Original poster
paperlantern · 27/09/2013 07:42

school think they are doing a magnificent job with himHmm

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AspieMum2Twinsplus1 · 27/09/2013 09:59

Only experience I have is SN nursery school to mainstream Nursery School and SN nursery school to mainstream Infants School. Probably not relevant where the switch is when the child is older. Ritalin saved my ADHD/AS son from having to switch to a special school in Juniors & if it wasn't for their secondary having an Autistic Unit so all staff trained in Autism& being an exceptional mainstream school for supporting SEN kids both twins would have had to go to an SEN secondary. Most mainstream secondaries couldn't cope but where they are my twins are thriving.

Weller · 27/09/2013 12:08

I would be worried with introducing MS as an option until after the tribunal. The tribunal is the new specialist provision against current provision. Adding mainstream at this point clouds this issue and could be used against you. Ds1 was supposed to go to SS all was in place but I deferred reception and the progress between 4 and 6 was huge so we chose MS. primary was hard, secondary not to bad. He is now getting ready for a levels. I would add he is hypo sensitive which for me is a major often ignored factor of children unable to attend mainstream.

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/09/2013 12:35

And educational consultant or a medical consultant?

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