Choosing a junior (year 3) school for ADHD/dyspraxic/SPD DS - help!

[kiriwawa]

DS is in year 2 and at an infant school which has been brilliant at supporting him - they identified his issues and have put in masses of support to help him. He was on SA+ but has been upgraded to an IEP this year.

He's achieving reasonably well at the moment considering his disabilities but he struggles with a lot of stuff.

I need to decide where he's going to go next year before Xmas. My choices are:

• fairly big junior school where all his classmates will go. It's a really good school but there's lots of independence expected from children, they change rooms between lessons and there's a lot of homework. For obvious reasons (probably but I can explain more if needed) this makes me think he's going to struggle really badly.

-smaller junior school with pretty bad ofsted report, especially around english and maths -cheap(ish) independent school with 18 kids in the year. No special SEN provision that I know but not selective.

I can't even begin to think about how to decide. Right now, I'm leaning towards the fairly big junior school because it's where he really wants to go but what my friend told me today about what her DD is going through (in terms of homework and expected ability to be responsible for where she needs to be and what she needs to do) fills me with fear. He will utterly fail if they don't make adjustments for him - he has real sequencing issues.

His special teacher says he has a disability and that the school needs to make appropriate and necessary adjustments which is great but is this his right?

Basically - how do I approach the prospective schools and what do I need to ask? How do I decide which is the best school?

If your son is on SA plus he should already have an IEP as well, its not an upgrade. What is his IEP like; was it done with your imput as well and are his targets SMART?. (SMART means specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and time bound).

Has anyone mentioned the words"Statement of Special Needs" to you?. (t would appear not).

Based purely on what you have written I would not look further either at the first school or the independent place you mentioned. What if any junior school you have seen to date has a good ethos with regards to SEN?. (Do not just on by Ofsted reports). I would still look at other schools.

I would apply for a statement from the LEA in question as soon as possible. IPSEA's website is good and explains the statementing process in some detail:-

www.ipsea.org.uk

Have you also applied on his behalf for DLA (Disability Living Allowance).
Worth considering also if you have not.

Thanks so much,Attila.

I was there when they did the IEP but I'm not at all convinced it had SMART objectives. He's been on SA+ for ages but it was my pushing that made them do an IEP. I haven't been a copy of it

The school (and the specialist teacher) stamped on my suggestion of applying for a statement because he is achieving at or higher than expected levels, as did the ed psych I took him to see in the summer.

I read on here the other night that what they said is bollocks - statements aren't connected to attainment.

Kiri,

re these parts of your comments:-

"was there when they did the IEP but I'm not at all convinced it had SMART objectives. He's been on SA+ for ages but it was my pushing that made them do an IEP. I haven't been a copy of it"

You should have a copy of his IEP. It should have been given to you as soon as possible after it had been written up (with your imput as well).

"The school (and the specialist teacher) stamped on my suggestion of applying for a statement because he is achieving at or higher than expected levels, as did the ed psych I took him to see in the summer"

Statements can also be issued for social and communication needs; if he is having problems in this area it will affect his ability to learn. Also EP is under pressure from the employers the LEA not to readily statement because that costs lots of money.

I would apply for the statement now and ignore any naysayers. Your child is running a risk of being failed this early on. You also need to think longer term i.e junior school and secondary.

You are truly his best - and only - advocate.

I would apply for a statement. If nothing else it might shock your school into better action

Thanks all - you're amazing. I couldn't do this without your support. It's exhausting to be fighting, fighting, fighting the whole time (I'm sure you know!) but you're right Attila - I'm his only advocate.

Right - time to gird my loins and go into battle again. :)