Moving abroad with a SEN child

[DodoBaggins]

Honest opinions please. No need to sugar coat.

We've been offerred an opportunity to move to Californa as a family for 3-5 years. This would be for my husbands job.

We have a little one who has a leaning disability. He's only 3 so it's still early days to understand how this will affect him as he grows. He has GDD, although gross motor skills are now in line with his age, he is still delayed in all the other areas. Most significantly affecting his day to day is that he has communication difficulties and difficulties understanding others.

I've tried to google SEN support in Californa. Most things are set up for if you're already in the states and have various documents in place, which we won't. In the UK,we have DLA and are discussing delaying school start and also getting an EHCP in place for when school eventually starts. I'm worried about walking away from all this and never getting it back.

Financially, it is a significant increase which is why it's being entertained as an idea.

Would you do it?
What would be your main considerations?
Anyone have any expereince of SEN in California?

[MamaBB821]

I am originally from California. I am assuming your work is providing health insurance? While I don't have experience having a Sen child in California I would say that you would probably receive better care there. In the states they seem to focus more on early intervention rather than the wait and see here. Although I do know parents there that have had to fight to get IEPs. I don't think you would be able to claim any disability payments as temporary residents.
I would also look at the cost of living there. While it depends on where you are moving from here you might find it more expensive

[krobhix20]

I’m actually in the opposite boat at the moment. Moving from TX to UK with 5yo with Sensory Processing and likely ADHD. We are finding it almost impossible thus far in comparison to finding aid here. I didn’t know this but apparently the US is the best in the world for SEN needs. Finally one thing we are good at. There are lots of government programs but also a ton of private programs also. It just takes determination in finding what you need.

[Scratchybaby]

Oh my gosh, I live in the UK but am from the US (though, sorry, not California) and from my experiences so far with UK early years SEND provision, I'd be seriously tempted to move back - if it weren't for all the other problems the country has!!

My siblings both still live there and I'm just amazed sometimes at the healthcare they have access to for their children. I totally understand that not all Americans can afford health insurance, and there are serious issues with the system there. But if you are in the, what, 90% of the population who DOES have some form of insurance, your kid can see a paediatrician instead of a GP (my family finds it hilarious/horrifying that a toddler sees a doctor who's bread and butter is older people's health issues), get regular developmental check ups and insurance often covers additional therapy and support.

Here, I'm on numerous waiting lists after multiple failed attempts (by the professionals!) to complete the appropriate paperwork, and paying possibly MORE per month than the average cost of US health insurance for support that would be covered under an insurance plan in the US. And because I'm scrambling around trying to coordinate it all myself, learning as I go, I fear the quality and timeliness isn't as great as it could be.

It will definitely be a new system to learn, and there's no guarantee that it will definitely be 100% better, but hopefully you'll see some benefits from being a healthcare "customer" in this particular scenario, able to make demands and shop around a bit for what's best for your LO.