Primary need diagnosis- regarding special schools

[adrianna22]

Hi everyone.

What is defined as primary need, when working out placing your child into a special school.

For example, many specialist schools in my LA's criteria that (for example) autism has to be the primary need stated in the statement or in the ECHP plan. But my DS has been diagnosed with ASD, auditory processing (something) verbal and oral dyspraxia. Does it matter? Is autism still DS primary need?

Anyway, most children with autism have additional diagnoses and needs.

Just a bit confused that's all.

The primary need will be whatever is listed as his primary need on his statement. It usually goes on what the child's main problem or barrier to learning is.
Before DS was diagnosed nobody his primary need was GLD, followed by BESD. Although BESD probably should have been his primary need. Once he was diagnosed his primary need was changed to ASD, SPD and i think BESD is listed 3rd.

Hi Fairgame

So primary need is not just one diagnosis. But could be as many as the child has?

But if a special school states that the child has to have autism as its primary diagnosis, would my DS fit that criteria?

No the primary need is one thing e.g. ASD
There is then a bit for secondary need e.g. SPD then a bit for other needs e.g. BESD
You're talking about 2 different things now. Primary need is about what is on the statement. Primary diagnosis is different.
If the school says that the child has to have ASD as their primary need on the statement then you will need to check what the statement says.
If it says autism as primary diagnosis then surely that's a medical thing and you will have to check what your medical reports say.

My bad! Yes the school States autism has to be the child's main need. DS statement just states all of his diagnosis's.

Do you and professionals that work with him feel that autism is his main need or is his main need his speech? Which is his biggest barrier to learning? Which does he need the most support with?
Have they seen his statement? and if so are they happy to offer him a place? Most schools will look at this before offering a place so if they have offered a place and hes been assessed by them then i wouldnt worry about it.

When DS was assessed by the independent experts. They felt that it was hard to tell, but for now his SLCN are the barriers to his learning. His been accepted at a SLCN special
School.

Is that what you feel is best for him?
Things will probably change as he grows. He is only very little so it might be that he needs a different type of school as he gets older or even progresses well enough to go back to ms if thats what you want. Tribunal will only work with whats going on 'now' rather than what might happen in 3,4 or 5 years.

I keep on being told that I have said what ds primary need is! He can only be helped with that one thing.

I don't agree as I keep pointing out I don't recall studying medicine at uni and I can't recall doing a phd.

Ds primary need is speech, unless it's asd then it's asd as that's why he cant communicate well. I'd guess but like I say, out of my depth there.

Tbf DS was only put down as GLD on his first statement because nobody knew what to put. They just put it for the sake of putting something. He's never had or been diagnosed with GLD

Yes Fairgame, I think for now his SLCN needs are a huge barrier to his learning now. But it's also confusing as its the asd that's the cause of his severe SLCN needs.

I guess it's a waiting game.

It will be fine Adrianna.
At least with the SLCN school they will work on all that. DS is in an ASD school and they a little bit of SLT once a week when they do 'news time'. DS doesn't have S&L difficulties but if he did i don't think his school would be able to cater for them as well as an SLCN school.
Our nearest SLCN school also caters for autism so if its like that then you will get the best of both worlds!