Well, we've gone and done it

[sphil]

Had DS2's annual review this morning and it was agreed that he'll change from special school to m/s in the next few months. I'm sitting here wondering if we're mad. But he'll get 1:1 all the time there and SLT and OT once a week, rather than twice a term. They'll let him do a p/t timetable (with ABA at home in the afternoons) and want his 1:1 to come home to observe our programme so we can coordinate his IEPs. They'll even use our reinforcers - custard creams and crisps!

I've done two mornings observation this week and was very impressed with the way the children with ASD(across the spectrum)are integrated but given high levels of individualised support by staff who seem completely confident and clued up about autism. Certainly the kids I saw had made huge progress since starting - and they are both at the severe end of the spectrum.

So much depends on the 1:1 though (I think they're going to advertise). I'm going to be as interfering as I possibly can be on that one! The SENCO told me this morning that they have an open door policy - "come in every day if you like". She may regret saying that ...

Sphil, Well done, I hope all works out for your ds in MS.
Can I ask please what made you decide to swap.
DS2 has just started at ms in reception & is doing well so far but I worry about if he will cope over the next few years.
Although there are other children with autism who are thriving at the school.
It sounds like your ds is going to go to a wonderful school I hope he enjoys it.

Wow sphil sounds like you have found a fantastic school and with that kind of attitude your DS has every chance of succeeding in ms.

What a great message to read! It sounds great and you obviously know what you're doing so know what to look for and what to ask. Sounds like a great school. Would any of your ABA people be interesting in applying for the 1:1 job or do you want to keep it separate?

The new school sounds great. Your ds2 also has excellent taste in reinforcers.

Mymate - we've decided to swap for a number of reasons. DS2 needs 1:1 all the time to learn - and he doesn't get that at special school because of the high level of need of the other children in his class (all severely autistic - as he is - or with PMLD). We also feel that he needs verbal and sociable peers - and it just happens that there aren't any in his class atm, though there are lots higher up the school. The m/s school is a dynamic, creative, forward thinking place with a wonderful SENCO. There's a lot of liaison between the two schools anyway - for example they join up for a sing and sign assembly every Friday, which DS2 has been to and loves. He'll spend up to 6 hours a week back there anyway, doing sensory play, trampolining etc. So we hope we're going to get the best of both worlds. The great likelihood is that he'll return to the special school for secondary anyway.

I think if there are other children on the spectrum at your Ds's school who are doing well then that's a very good sign. It's what I lookd for tbh - saw a boy in Yr 6 who is probably more severe than DS2, but has basic conversation skills, a good rapport with his peers (watched him at break time too) and can read and write. If DS2 can get to that stage by the age of 11 I'll be delighted.

Davros - one of my ABA tutors might apply for the job, yes . Mind you, I met an absolutely great TA when I was observing - I want her for DS2 but can hardly poach her from the boy she's working with atm!

I had to laugh - I went to introduce myself to the mother of the boy I was observing yesterday but her son bolted for the gate as I said hello, so we had this hilarious out of breath conversation as we were running side by side
'I...puff...pant....just wanted to say...puff puff....how much I enjoyed watching your son....pant....in school today....wheeze'.

It all sounds very positive Sphil, I hope it all works out. I think it should as you clearly are on the ball with it all!

Thanks Sphil, It sounds like a lovely school I hope the transition goes well.

Good luck.

sphil that sounds like a fantastic school, I'm envious! All the reasons you've given for your change are the reasons why my DS will start at a ms school in January, hopefully coupled with part-time ABA (have tribunal hearing in February...) We've just had an independent EP assess DS and he wrote a brilliant report, very much in support of ms and ABA, so I'm hopeful we might win!

Getting one of your tutors into the school as your DS's LSA would just be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it? I've tried that myself but without success, the school want to use temporary staff until the hearing.

Good luck with it all, I'm sure you'll make a success of it!

sphil I agree with all the other posts that your school sounds fantastic - so open-minded and to have an open-door policy is quite rare and fantastic! My son started two afternoons a week at m/s in September, and luckily the school interviewed and then took on one of his existing home ABA tutors. But they won't use his normal reinforcers (eg chocolate). My DS now has the rest of the time paid for at home on VB. I got the LEA to fund £15k of it and am very happy to share any details of what I wrote or how I got that (although I think mainly I'm lucky to be in an ABA-friendly borough). You sound like you've landed the jackpot though with that school and I must admit that so far, so good - my son has been a lot better, calmer and more involved at m/s than he ever was previously at his autistic nursery. Good luck to you and your DS2.