Should I be happy about this?

[Paloper]

DS is in reception and has Autism. His struggles are quite obvious, he can't say more than 50 words, he hates physical contact, he does not understand most things etc but he's been doing quite well at school with 1-1 help. We had Parent's Evening last night and we were discussing the EHCP process as we're just starting it and his teacher offhandedly said that 'he certainly can't stay in mainstream.' This took me by surprise as I hadn't realised that they were considering special schools as an option for him and I've never seriously considered it for him either, as I've felt that the school has been giving him the support he needs. I know how difficult getting a place at a special school can be, so should I look at this as a positive?

very often it is the other way around. parents battling for special schools.

can you go around and visit special schools? by the sound of it he has complex needs and the right SS will give much more support than a 1:1 in MS.

My first step would be visiting special schools if you haven't already done so.

Well that's a straight talking comment. As much as it would shock me, I'd take it on board. But I would rather someone say what they mean.

Although, it's not up to school and I should imagine the LA would want to try support in MS first. Unless the school are planning on saying they can't meet his needs, which would be useful to you.

My guess is that she is thinking about yr 1 and above and how formal they are! Does the school seem to be able to think outside the box?

I would still go and look at the special schools that are appropriate for his needs in your surrounding area, it does no harm to see whats on offer!

Good luck

I suppose I've never imagined DS in anything but mainstream which is why I'm finding it difficult/hesitant to accept it may not be right for him but just because I've never considered it doesn't mean it's not what's best for him.

The school has always been good with DS and getting him the right support, he's not disruptive just very quite/isolated but if there's a place where he could get even more support and help, with people who understand his issues better than I feel it would just be silly to turn that down.

Just found out that we have 2 ASD special schools near us and we're going to go and see them, I'm hoping I'll just walk in and love everything about them.

DS is in special education. Year 1. Once I visited the setting after it had been suggested for him I just felt a weight lift off my shoulders as I could see that he would thrive there. And he is :)