Would you go beyond for that school that could meet your child's needs- even though it's far away

[adrianna22]

Ok.

So, as you probably know. I have been looking high and low for special schools for DS,5,ASD- severe speech and language delay.

I think I have found the special school, it's a specialist communication and interaction school, for kids who have either high functioning ASD, moderate learning difficulties and/or speech language delays/disorders.

The only problem is that the school is an hour away. I live quite near to central London and the school is in Buckinghamshire.

As for this reason, I have been looking for specialists schools quite similar- but I can't.

I am considering if I should battle to get DS into the school- is it worth it? Even though the school is far away??

Yes - my DS's school is 40 miles away (an hour in good traffic, but more likely 1hr 20min in "normal" traffic). The right school has changed my son's life and he is totally in the correct provision.

BUT, and it's a big but, if you do the transport, then the traveling is a massive commitment from you. Especially in the winter - dark roads plus long journey does not make a comfortable drive.

However, if you got the LA to provide transport, then it's certainly "doable".

After a year at his ss as day pupil, my DS now has to board because although we "won" Tribunal, we didn't get transport (long story!).

So if you do decide to go for it, think long and hard about if you can do the transport or if you want the LA to do it. From my DC's point of view, he quite easily did the twice daily journey with me and did not "suffer" (iyswm) - but I certainly did suffer from the drive as I hate driving in the dark.

How old is DS? Is there any chance of you moving out to be nearer the school?

Ds travels just over 40 miles it takes 45 mins on a good, normally an hour and then an hour 15 mins on a Friday afternoon. It is tiring for him but he's getting used to it. However ds is 10 and your ds is only 4 so he will feel it more.
Have you got all the evidence to prove that your son's need can't be met anywhere closer because they can use travelling time as an argument?