Can anyone give me advice on ASD Units?

[Joseph1ne]

Hi to anyone reading this I hope you are well.

I am wanting to see if I can get some advice and more information on ASD units, my son is due to go into primary school in September and will turn 5 in October and I was advised that my son will need to go into a ASD unit for extra support. He does have an assistant at pre school but is still struggling. I don't know much about ASD units other that what I've looked up online but was hoping any parents here who have had a child go to one to give me some information about it and if they found it helpful

Does DS have an EHCP? Without an EHCP it is unlikely DS will get an ARP place. If he does have an EHCP it should have been finalised by 15th Feb.

Additionally resourced provisions vary from unit to unit. In some pupils spend all of the majority of the time in the unit, whilst in other pupils spend the majority of time in mainstream.

Within those attached to ms schools they are likely to cater for a wider range of additional needs. Children may divide time between a ms class and unit. Have you applied for a reception place already? With an EHCP you can name a specific school. Without that you are unlikely to access special schools and many do not start until older age groups.

My son has a statement officer who approaches the schools/units to see if they would have a place for my son.
I am awaiting for a statement regarding my sons special educational needs and the help he should have to be finalised. It is reviewed every year to make sure that any extra support given meets my sons needs. I was told I have to wait until the statement is finalised, once it is finished then they are able to approach the schools of choice and units to see if the would have a place for my son. I was told that the unit would be a place he would be full time and he would be in a classroom with up to 6 children. Also that he could be there for up to 2 years and then could possibly go to mainstream or would remain in the unit depending on his needs. My only worry about that is having him go to a unit and he gets used to the routine and the environment/people around him and then took away from that to go into mainstream and have to start all over again. I worry this would affect him. I just want to make sure I am making the right decision and gather as much information as I can. I haven't done all this before and I just want to hopefully get it right for him.

Are you in Wales or NI?

In both you should get a draft Statement of SEN and the chance to name your preferred school in Part 4 before it is finalised. Schools are consulted prior to the Statement of SEN being finalised. SNAP Cymru can help if you are in Wales, they have information on their website and a helpline. SENAC can help in NI.

If you are in England it is an EHCP now, not a statement of SEN and before an EHCP is finalised you get a draft and the chance to state your preferred placement.

Parents usually have to fight for ARP and SS places, if the LA and professionals are recommending an ARP they obviously think MS can't meet DS' needs.