Starting school in 2017 support thread

[Frogandbear]

This thread is inspired by another thread where I was sharing my concerns about my DS starting school next year. Wouldn't it be great if those in the same boat could have a place to share their concerns and ask questions.

So let's introduce ourselves:

1. Tell us about your child
   
2. What type of school are you looking at for next year?
   
3. Have you applied for an EHCP? What stage of the process are you at?
   
4. Any concerns/questions you have
   

I'll go first

1. DS is 3 and a half - gorgeous, easy going and with a giggle that would fail to make anybody smile . He also has asd, is non verbal but his struggles outside of communication/interaction are relatively few. He is happy and marches to the beat of his own drum and that makes me happy too .
   

1. Having looked at what seems like every type of school possible, we have pretty much decided on a ms primary, although I would be open to home educating if that was required at the time.
   

1. Applied back in September....decision on whether to assess is LATE. Will be phoning SEN helpline tonight for advice on how to proceed.
   

1. EVERYTHING
   

Your turn

[Frogandbear]

Yikes, that makes me worried...and disorganised

[Msqueen33]

Our LEA won't start doing ours until the end of this month. They've assured me it'll be done in 20 weeks so ready for school. Plus our funding is looking at in week 14. They wouldn't do ours any sooner.

[Frogandbear]

MsQueen33 We started the process back in September and we're still only at the assessment stage. The 20 weeks to completion seems to have gone out the window...

[Msqueen33]

Oh god that's worrying. Saying that when it was a statement I self applied for my dd and it started in June and we had it by August. I've got a meeting next week and someone from the council is coming so I'll lean on them to start it. Sigh. Like things with a child with Sen aren't hard enough anyway.

[HHH3]

Frog remind them they have a statutory obligation to complete within 20 weeks.

[Frogandbear]

HHH3 Unfortunately they're at the annoying stage of collecting information from pediatrician, nursery, etc, so I feel like I can't hurry them along yet. They just claim that they're waiting from information from a third party and can't go any faster.

[HHH3]

So, I'm going to meet the head of the school I think I've decided on this afternoon. I really want to just get a feel for her and to make sure we're on the same page. Taking a friend with me so I have a bit of outside perspective.

If this doesn't go well I'm not sure what I'm going to do as I don't actually have a back up plan So fingers crossed!

[Msqueen33]

HHH3 Good luck. Always good to have someone with you. Fingers crossed it goes well 🙂

[HHH3]

Really, really liked the head and having looked round the school again I love it even more. When we came out my friend said 'it's a DS2 school'!

So now I need to ring the LA and tell them I want to name the school on his EHCP. Feeling really positive but a little nervous...hope I'm doing the right thing!

[Msqueen33]

Fantastic. So pleased for you.

[HHH3]

DS2 has a place

[Msqueen33]

To give people hope my dd2 who has asd and ADHD is in year two. Very behind in her first two years did very well in her practise year 2 sats, is meeting expected academic levels now, is very popular and most amazing of all is able to tell her adult when she feels uncomfortable rather than meltdown. This from a very challenging child. It gives me a slither of hope for my youngest going this year who has asd and I'm 99% sure ADHD as well.