ICAN meath school, had my first viewing

[adrianna22]

Hi everyone.. I had my first viewing at the ICAN meath school for my DS.

I liked the school and could see that they have a lot of intensive speech therapy, and work with the kids well and the staff seem passionate about the kids. Though, they were some things I didn't quite like about.. which I would not disclose everything but if anyone does want to ask me other things they can PM ME...but anyway I would give my points.

• The school mainly uses a signing system called pagent gorman ( something like that- mind the spelling). I did look this up and there's very little information about it.. I found that the signing uses quite a lot of use of the fine motor skills. Plus, it just seem alien to me as I have never heard it..I even did a mums net search on this signing system..but came up with limited results. I really love makaton and singalong.. I would not even of mind if they used BSl.

• The school is open... I mean I don't know much about the area in surrey, but because the school is open..I'm scared of if anything could happen..if my DS runs up and is able to climb over something and able to get out of the school or if someone kidnaps my DS. I know this sounds stupid, but I am very protective of my DS.

• There are only 75 children in the school. The small classes are really good and I don't have an issue with that. But again I'm scared of the danger thing...

• Is intensive therapy too much for a child?

Other than that. I liked the way the staff treated me, listen to my concerns, what they did with the kids etc.

I love ICAN and I love what they do, that's why I checked out the Meath school. But to be honest, I was not overjoyed by the school, which I was a bit disappointed about. I don't know if it's because reality kicked in or what.

My Ds does have a diagnosis of autism, but his symptoms are very mild and his speech is his main concern as he only says 12 words....he is four..

The issue about the area I live in is that the majority of the schools are for kids who have ASD, but I have visited most of them and they seem to only work on the behavioural issue.. and speech is not really implemented as such.

A lot of other specialists schools are far out in places like Surrey etc. When talking to family members about maybe putting DS to a school at Surrey, they are like no it is too far, what happens if DS is sick and there maybe weather conditions and I won't be able to get to DS. When DS is around other kid he would talk a lot more, but if he is with kids who have speech delays this may further him back and they say a lot of crap.

But the issue is, they do not have a child who has a severe language delay, he may "catch up" but he still would be delayed. I know that when my DS gets older and he is still in MS the gap between him and the kids will widen.

Are there any good specialists schools for speech...

I just don't know what to do.

BUMP

Yes. There is Blossom House. But I don't know where you are so whether that is an option or not. There is also Eagle House which I understand focusses on speech a bit more than other ASD provision but I am not certain about that.

Starlight I looked at eagle house- But it's a private school and looks really posh

Don't let that put you off. DS1's new school is in a rambling old mansion with extensive grounds and stained glass!

There's this one too www.moorhouseschool.co.uk, however, it is from age 7 .....

All the best in your search

Have you considered doing listening therapy?

Hi Adrianna, there are a couple of really good, very active, verbal dyspraxia Facebook groups. They are closed groups but accept anyone! If you posted on them, there might well be someone who knows about speech units in your area or how to best search for one for your DS.
In Facebook, search for verbal dyspraxia uk, verbal dyspraxia, families Living with verbal dyspraxia. The first is my favourite one!

Ps there's a thread about paget Gorman on the first group I mentioned

Dear Adriana 22
It was very interesting to see your recent post – so happy you came to see Meath.

My DD has been at Meath since she was 4 (she is now 7). We are delighted with the school and could not imagine anywhere better for her. Before we lived further away and we moved house just so that DD could attend Meath. There were a couple of things you mentioned, which I feel I need to clarify. The site is completely sealed at all times. Visitors need to sign in and there is no way on or off the grounds other than via reception (it would not be possible for anyone child or adult, to climb over the fences).

All the children at the school have speech and language as their primary need (my daughter is completely non verbal and uses signing and computers to communicate). However many other children here are more verbal but have other language related issues concerning understanding or word finding difficulties. The staff are truly excellent and have tremendous experience at helping children with language difficulties to learn – it is hard when you first realise how much of an impact language has on learning everything else, but they have been through it all before and bring that expertise to help our children.

In my experience most parents are delighted to have access to the level of therapy support provided by the school – it is in all cases tailored to the needs of each child. I don’t know of any other schools where each class has a full time Speech and Language Therapist involved in teaching and classroom activities as well as one to one therapy sessions, that’s why Meath has 5 full time SLTs (1 working with each class).

And finally you made a comment about the choice of signing language. I can relate – I had the same concerns when we started. However I think there are some good things about Paget Gorman – do check out the web page (link is www.pagetgorman.org). It is structured and helps the children to learn literacy skills. Nobody expects the signs to be done perfectly – as with speech the teachers and staff are very adept at interpreting what a child is trying to communicate and helping them to improve over time. The family is also given support to learn the new signing system which has been great from social point of view – getting to know other parents in a similar situation through the signing classes. In many cases the children do not need signing by the time they leave the school. In those cases where signing is still necessary, the school supports the transition to the new signing system over the last year.

Please don’t feel you have to take my word for any of this it is worth checking out Ofsted as the school has had outstanding on its Ofsted assessments in all aspects including residential, for the last 7 years. Meath has really changed our lives and I know it has done the same for other families. Perhaps consider coming and having another look? I would be happy to answer any further questions should you be interested in finding out more.