ASD unit & statement & ABA?

[osospecial]

I am a bit confused about this and was hoping somebody could help on here.
I have put in a request for SA. Dd(4) is in a temporary placement in an assessment unit. I want her to go on to a local primary that has a ASD unit as soon as possible.
I've visited the school and been told they think there is about a year waiting list which dd is not even on yet.
Do I wait until the stage that I/ they name a school etc on the statement ( providing assessment goes ahead ok) or should I be trying to speak to somebody to get her on this waiting list now? I'm worried the statement will take 6 months and then we will have another year wait on top for a place here!
I'm hoping to get some ABA funded during this year wait.
If I approach them about putting dd on this waiting list now can they just say, yes ok but there's no point in SA now?

Apparently it has to go to a 'panel' to decide if she gets a place there and can go on the waiting list.

you most def need a Statement for any unit attached to MS or you will have to have started the SA.

You can express parental preference in your contribution to the SA and the panel should take that into consideration and name on Statement.

about ABA funding...how far are you in the SA? Has it been approved, assessment started etc? Do you know when is going to a panel?

I don't get the waiting list idea. The local authority has a duty to meet her needs; that means meeting them now, not in a year's time. If there isn't a place at this unit they have to look elsewhere, including independent schools.

I have requested SA but they still have about 3 weeks left (of the 6 weeks) before they have to let me know if they are going to assess

Thanks blueshark I didn't realise you had to have a statement to access the unit

They will keep her in the assessment unit until a place comes up so they would probably argue that they are meeting her needs there. She was supposed to be there 2 terms but I've heard of DC staying up to 2yrs as no placements available to move on to!

What support does she have there at the moment?

If the support is inadequate and she is not making progress no way you wanna keep her there for 2 years

The support is ok, she has 1:1 and they work on the activities which SALT set (they see her every fortnight) so she is making some progress but she is only there part time at the moment, I think the main thing she has progressed in is learning about school routines and following adult agenda. ( she started off having tantrums every day but now can sit for short periods for singing time etc) I don't want her to be there 2 yrs, I think she could be making a lot more progress in the ASD unit. She is making good progress with the bit of ABA we currently do at home fitting it in around school. Her speech and communication is the biggest issue.