Question re:school applications and admission to language units

[mummytosteven]

DS is due to start school in Sept 08, and from what I can gather I have to apply by Nov 07. Seeing as he definitely has very delayed speech and comprehension if not ASD, I think that a language unit would be the most suitable place for him. As luck would have it, the nearest primary school to me, 10 mins walk away, has a language unit.

My question is: can I apply specifically for DS to go to the language unit, or can I just apply for a place at that school in Nov 07?. Problem being that DS is not due for any NHS appointments (SALT or ASD) until Jan 08! I have used a private salt, and hopefully she could write something in support of him going to a language unit if she agrees this is appropriate, would this make any difference?

I would apply to the school that is 10 mins walk from you. Even if your son doesnt go in the language unit then the teachers would have experience of dealing with language difficulties.

It may be different in every area but where I used to live, a child had to have a referral from the NHS SALT which would then go to the SEN Panel (places at our unit were very limited). They didn't take children with an ASD dx though they did have children 'with autistic traits' . So it may be worth checking this - if this is the case at your unit and you're keen for him to go then it might even be worth delaying dx. Have you applied for a statement? If so you could make a very strong case for the unit being the most appropriate place for him and encourage all other professionals who work with him to do the same. I would have thought they would have to move your SALT appt forward if this was being decided. I would get your private SALT to write a report too though - ours did for DS2's statement and the LEA didn't quibble about it at all. Good job really as our NHS SALT forgot to write one! But that's another story...

Crossed posts with Frances - I would agree with this from our experience. DS1's school has a language unit and they are fab with all sorts of SEN.

Thanks frances5 and sphil. The school also has a very high proportion of pupils with English as second/other language, which also bodes well I think for dealing with language difficulties. School is pretty low down the league tables, but that is really neither here nor there given S's language problems.

I will have to contact the language unit myself I think, and ask what their exact admission procedures are. I've not applied for a statement yet, as nursery and the early years service only seem to think he has language probs, but not behavioural ones (and not ASD). I was wanting to wait until about March next year/diagnosis if earlier to apply for a statement, as I thought that private SALT wouldn't be enough iyswim for purposes of a statement.

/moment of profane self-pity. this is such a f&cking nightmare, none of my contact with the child or health pros so far (other than private salt) indicate that anyone gives a sh*t.

MaKE IT CLEAR FROM THE START THAT YOU want him to go into unit. Assume as such and refer to it matter of factly in every convo and letter.
Will be much harder for them then given your air of confidence.

Thanks MD, hadn't occurred to me that something as simple as that could help things along significantly!

as an aside - I saw you post on Aloha's thread about the advantages of lang units over m/s, I am thinking on exactly those lines.

My own child is in a lang. unit MTS. I know there are advantages to being within system but ultimately I am a parent and this was my strategy.I did not entertain any other notion and for that reason I fell alternatives were not put to me.

I also produced/produce comprehensive yearly reports which are circulated to all.

That helps keep me in control of situation too as full of recommendations and so on.

wish I had the professional knowledge to do that too MD

If you have a brain (which you obviously do) and are a logical thinker,you would be surprised how far a correctly typed,worded and professionally presented letter/document get you MTS.