DS has been accepted into the specialist school! :D

[adrianna22]

Finally, no more visits to see specialise schools.

The search is over.

DD has been granted an offer to attend the independent special school after being assessed at the school!

I'm so happy, but I'm sad aswell. I was literally crying when I got home. I guess it's the realisation that DS needs quite a lot of support and the fact- it's stupid to say- that I want DS to stay in his mainstream school because I guess it normalises things.

DS will have to redo the reception year because of the severity of his language and communication needs. But overall I'm happy.

Oh, I've noticed that whenever DS has assessments, he stims quite a lot. His not really a child that stims, but I have notice that this always happens when he has long assessments. Why is this? Is it because his brain is actually processing a lot of information and his not use to the intensity??

Also, has copying of behaviours been an issue with any of you parents that been through the whole special needs schools look out?

Ohno, I just realised I still need to go
to tribunal to fight for funding.

Though, I'm a bit worried about him re-doing the reception year. Does this really matter if this is at a special school.

Special school is likely to pitch things at his level, and if he surges ahead they will go with that, and try different approaches with the things he finds harder.

It is usually a higher staff to pupil ratio.

It won't be perfect, no school is, but if your gut instinct is that it is right, then in most probably is.

And if you look to the future and the world of independent living, then optimising education has a lot to recommend it.

So just the appeal now then...

Thanks Senvet. Your right. Well my appeal has gone through and I have a date now so fingers cross.

how long did it take for your appeal to be listed? im still waiting for mine......

I heard from them within two weeks. Very quick, how long have you been waiting?

this is now my 3rd week of waiting - frustrating as its a year 6 appeal so should be fast tracked

Well done on finding a good school! If the school want him and can meet his needs your a bit further along the appeal road.

Well done, that is such good news. I hope you get the funding.

Bjk- have you contacted SENDIST? I

Thanks 2boys and nojak, the school want him and they think that they can meet his needs. I'm not sure what now to do next, I'm not entitled to Legal aid so I'm can't get advice from a lawyer,

ive been phoning them most days - last time was yesterday where they confirmed they have it but still not listed it.

ipsea and sos sen are good sources of advice

That's strange bjk- is there a backlog
You think? Since we are nearing to the end of the term.

Hopefully you should hear before the end of the week.

Thanks I'll contact SOSSEN and IPSEA.

Mine took 3 weeks (submitted first few days of Feb) and it's not till mid July, it's a year 6 appeal too. Had hoped for May/June.

Glad you've found the right school Adrianna, good luck with the appeal.

Is dc ASD/ASC? If so, you also have NAS Education advice line who have trained tribunal volunteers (like the IPSEA model but ASD/ASC specific)

0808 800 4102

Your allocated volunteer will see you through all the way to Tribunal.

Good Luck

yikes who knows - not looking good for me then :-( they said last week they were listing end of june/early july.

Adrianna - good you have the school and also so many of us on here have been through tribunal - this one is my 4th that if you need help just ask and im sure someone will help - the site has kept my sanity over the last few years

sos sen also run some excellent courses as well if you are going through tribunal

oh yes forgot about the NAS - I already have someone allocated to me to help me with my working document - if I ever get my date!

Yes we can help with tribunals :0)

Been there and come out the other side with mnsn

Great you have found a school adrianna! Good luck with the appeal you will Hav lots of help and support with that here.

I thought I'd just answer you question about copying behaviours. My ds started at ss last september and my experience is that copying behaviour is not a problem at all.

Ds has very fleetingly copied behaviour from other children such as particular stims or noises but it has lasted only a matter of weeks and then he has stopped doing it.

He is curious about his peers but because these behaviours are usually serving the child that does them a purpose they don't work when copied ifyswim.

My approach has been to ignore it if he has copied something and like I say he has stopped doing it very quickly.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

That's good to know ilike, I was a bit worried about that.

I'm also thinking of moving nearer to the special school, would the statement be effected?

Would that mean moving to live in a different local authority? I would imagine that would make things a lot more complicated, but provided you stay in the same one I don't see why not.

Just don't move to Herts