At what point did you decide to move your child to sn from ms school? And how on earth did you go about finding the right School?

[hendricksyousay]

I’m gutted that ds s school have said they think a different approach may be better and they aren’t really meeting his needs . We both love it and are so happy there . Big meeting after half term to discuss but in the mean term I’ve looked at the local offer and started speaking to schools but my heart isn’t in it . I don’t want it for him or me . How do I get over it ?

Think of it that you need the school that's going give dc the best chances to be the best he can be. If mainstream aren't meeting his needs it's not fair on him or his teacher.

I just think it seems a bit strange. If he is happy there how are they not meeting his needs - emotionally, academically?

They have suggested he may be better with a different approach . He has very limited speech and they think maybe a more visual approach to education in a specialist setting for communication problems may be better . They aren’t kicking us out but I need to do what’s right for him so will look at other schools .

Go and have a look at the schools on offer. Is there any mainstream with social and communication units near you, they can be an excellent bridge. Does your dc have a statement/ehcp and 1:1 classroom assistant at the moment?

I think if my dc had limited speech I'd want the extra input that comes with specialist provision. An environment that's set up for them to make life as easy as possible for them, plus the extra speech and language provision that's provided in special schools/units to improve speech.

My neighbours child was virtually non verbal asd but since starting specialist school with lots of salt support, his speech has seen a marked improvement, plus they use makaton which really helps his communication.

It’s scary because you’re moving out of your comfort zone. DS2 is severely dyslexic and was at a ms known for being good with SEN. We really liked it, they liked him, but it just got to the point where he was making no progress despite all the interventions.

We started looking at ss and found one that covered a range of SN. It was way outside my comfort zone, but I could see he would learn there as their approach was so different. There wasn’t enough space for him, but he has a place for next year.

Meanwhile we found a school that specialises in dyslexia (a lot of googling to find the schools) and he has been there for half a term. He’s already making progress - I can hardly believe it.

When I think back to the summer and how stressed we were and in the end we found two places we liked.

The first step out of ms is the hardest but in our case it’s turned out really well.

DS had very severe speech and language difficulties, and it was evidently clear he had a severe motor speech disorder. I knew he would struggle (language wise) in an MS provision and receive inadequate support. But settled on MS for a year due to the whole statement process.

Finding a specialist provision was very difficult and tiring. I had to do lots of Googling, visited a number of schools and didn't find the special schools in our LA suitable for DS. I was about to give up and settled on the idea that DS could stay at his MS but I would just need to push so he receives adequate support. Luckily, I found a specialist language provision, DS got a place and funding and my word, this boy went from saying 0- 5 words and now we disagree with lots of things, have mini conversations. He has a long way to go but I can honestly say, hand on heart, he wouldn't of got to where he was without attending his current school.

Thanks all , his ms school is amazing and is known for its inclusive approach . It’s just such a kind environment and all the children are so lovely to him. I will start lining but it’s still with a heavy heart .

That is a shame. I've looked round some SALT schools which also have a really beautiful atmosphere too though. So hopefully you will find somewhere you like equally.

We were in exactly that position, Hendricks. The children were so lovely to him at ms - celebrating his successes and looking after him when things were difficult. DS2 struggles with his motor skills and his whole class chanted his name on sports day. I found it really hard to take him out of that kind environment.

But what I have noticed is that at ss, everyone has difficulties so he is not babied in the way he was in ms. He is the youngest of 3 so we have to watch that at home too - feeling sorry for him when he struggles, doing too much for him. I think in the long run, it will be better for him to be in an environment where everyone is pushing through their problems and he isn’t the one who doesn’t fit.

Google as many schools as you can, ask people if they have friends with DC who have SEN and where they go, visit the schools. We had discounted his current ss because on google maps it had no outdoor space and looked to be in an office. But one visit put us at ease because inside it was so vibrant and focused.

Similar place here but our MS are being vile to us. We've always said my youngest will do reception year and then we'd evaluate. We have had great success with her sibling who is now into her 4th year. Her language is where it should be and she's doing well. We hoped it would be the same for my youngest. We've looked at all our local Sen schools but nothing feels quite right. What we look at is what our kids are gaining there and whether progress is good. Some specialist schools are great and others not so much so. I'd go and see a few and speak to a few heads and see how you feel.

@EyeoftheStorm .. that’s exactly the same as our school and sports day . It’s just such a lovely place . I’ve made some amazing kind friends and I don’t want to leave . Thank you for your replies , I will start to make appointments and go and view the schools after half term . My main concern is there isn’t going to be one that is suitable that is anywhere nearby and I don’t want to put him on a bus ( or drive for hours everyday ) . We also have a teen daughter who is doing her gcse ‘s so moving isn’t an option .