Schools and statements - any suggestions really appreciated.

[QueenVictoria11]

My DS is 5 and is very able. He has Aspergers and is in process of getting NHS diagnosis. I applied for Statutory assessment a year ago, but school said he was progressing really well and didn't see issues. LA refused to assess and I accepted school's word that he was managing well so didn't appeal.

What I have now realised is that "managing well" means he is not disruptive or defiant. He certainly isn't progressing well, as he does the same thing over and over again during school - usually writing lists of the names of the children in his class or lists of numbers. He finds the lunch hall difficult because of noise, crowds and smell. Despite numerous requests, meetings etc and DS being on SA+, school won't put any alternative provision in place at lunchtime and SENCO and Headteacher have said at different times that they are too busy to meet with me - they avoid me! DS skills with numbers have gone backwards as he has not been challenged at all in his reception year, although I have made myself a pain in the backside asking.

What can I do? I would move him to another state school but don't know which might be more inclusive and clued up (I'm in Sutton). I have almost given up with his current school. If I apply now to LA, do I apply for Statutory Assessment again or is there a new process for EHCP?

Thanks for reading. Any ideas on schools or advice on next steps?

I think in your shoes I would be looking around at other schools. Is there a local ASD support group in your area as they may be a useful source of information as to which schools offer good support.

I suspect that if school are still saying no problems then you will have a monumental battle on your hands to get an EHCP. Do you have any reports to evidence lack or regression of progress that might help? If there is no written evidence then I am not sure you will have a good enough case.

The other option if you can afford it is to get your son seen privately - educational psychologist for academics and perhaps occupational therapist to identify the causes of the lunchtime problems and hopefully come up with some useful strategies.

I'd put in a request for assessment for statementing to the LA now - then you will be dealt with under the old rules; and everybody understands what they are. A pro forma letter is on the IPSEA website, IIRC - send it to your LA by signed for delivery, as it is amazing just how many letters/reports sent to LAs get lost in the post!

AFAIK, the draft SEN Code of Practice was still being considered by the House of Lords last Monday, so that may be a moveable feast. Also, if the SEN CoP is not finalised, its difficult to see how schools and LAs can have trained all their staff in the new system by September 1st. There are bound to be teething problems and judicial reviews to clarify some inconsistencies in the CoP.

I agree with the above poster, you may well need a report by an independent educational psychologist; and if funds run to it an OT too. LA ed psy reports can be lacking in specific recommendations as to what the child needs; or placement. Some only observe the child in class, without doing detailed assessments - which show up the SEN. Other LAs have a policy of recommending mainstream, regardless of what the child actually needs, as a policy. Many parents find they can only get real advice from an independent ed psy.

Thanks oneineight and Tempe48.

I will look into having private OT and Ed Psych assessments then. He has had Ed Psych before who said DS fitted criteria for AS, but more assessment and monitoring would be needed. School have this report.

Seems to be hard to get recommendations for schools. Most organisations I've been in touch with won't actually recommend. Current school is clueless and maybe its a case of better the devil you know.

Will get the SA request in asap then.

You can get a SA request in without waiting for private reports. If you have pots of cash, or think your school will step up to the mark as soon as someone competent tells them what's what, then it's worth spending the money now.

If not, but your LA is likely to agree to assess, agree to a statement, and write a reasonable statement, then time your private opinions for when they will fit best into that process (usually towards the end).

If the school is likely to continue to be unhelpful, and you think LA will believe their view (that he's doing fine & dandy, all things considered) then look at your finances and the timescales very carefully.

Otherwise you could end up shelling out for several lots of private reports, as your initial ones could 'expire' & be too old for Tribunal usefulness

Schools change from year to year, and many are dire. So no-one wants to unofficially recommend any, because of this. Professional types are often probibited from even hinting at a suggested preference between the polar opposites of "clearly-needs-extensive-special-school-facilities" v "just-dump'em-in-mainstream-&see-how-it-goes"

Some mainstream schools are worse than others though, but in general, the more 'outstanding' and league-table-topping they are, the less use they will be to any dc who aren't stereotypical white-middle-class, non-disabled, 2-parents-1 semi-1 car & 4-grandparents types.

Even the better ones often seem to work hard to avoid getting a reputation for being 'good with ASD'. I imagine they fear being inundated by desperate parents fleeing less inclusive schools

Thanks Alibi that's really helpful advice.

I have no faith in the school at all to step up and put good provision in place, whoever tells them.

Several assessments would not be good for DS or me - I certainly don't have pots of money.

So how long might a private report be useful or relevant for then? How long could SA/appeal/Tribunal etc take?

The timelines & letters etc

Waiting time for Tribunal is usually 4-5 months at least from filing an appeal. Can be longer. And you might have several.

Not unusual to have to file appeals for 1) failure to assess, 2) then note in lieu, 3) then rubbish statement, 4) name preferred school 5) doing better now so LA wants to take the provision back out after 6-12 months, 6) LA wants to remove statement altogether.

Think of it as budgeting for involuntary private schooling that you can't afford: you may shell out some thousands you didn't want to invest on each & every every year of their (state) education. You definitely wouldn't blow it all on a year's worth of a very posh, top-quality kindergarten at the very beginning. But you would selectively spend the minimum you thought you could safely get away with.

Ask at the parent groups who has been to tribunal. There will always be someone and in some areas, lots of people (some amazing LAs pride themselves on hardly ever making parents go to tribunal, some seem to celebrate taking large numbers there thinking they're 'saving' money by doing so). Find out who they used as experts & how much they spent.

The big advantage of using experts who know your area is that they will have some idea of the flaws and strengths of the local systems and schools. So less chance of a nasty surpise if you do end up in an appeal and some new facility is magicked up out of no-where and said to be eminently suitable.

My son's school is terrible for statements he has been assessed for aspergers but the paediatrician decided as he is coping at school not to go further with the assessment and yes he is coping but he is different to other kids. I am a 1:1 TA at another school and I have no idea where they get their money from but their are loads of kids who don't all have statements but have 1:1 for part of the day. I know however that if I moved my son here he would definitely get help and probably even statemented. However the teachers at the school I work at do seem lazy and have no time for children who need extra help that is down to their special helper whereas at my sons school the teachers are really caring and patient with those kids that are different!! My sons friend has cerebal plasy and autism but both fairly mild but both together makes him very hard work his current school which is my sons school wont offer him any help as he is exceptionally bright, he is moving to the school I work at in September and the LA will pay for him to have 20 hrs 1:1 support because of the way they word their request for a statement!!! I don't want to move my son as he loves school but I do wonder if he would get on better so am going to give him another year as our school is really good and he is getting better then maybe will move him next year!