Possible ASD in 4 year old - what's best, state primary or private?

[jammydodger]

Would be very grateful for anyone with any experience/advice/ideas about this.

My ds is 3;11, so will be young for his reception class anyway when he starts in September. I happen to be a SALT and I've always known he was on the spectrum, but only recently have we realised to what extent.

So we're going to get him formally assessed, and I'm pretty sure he'll turn out to be high-functioning ASD, although could be Asperger's (but I don't think so at the moment..), with mild dyspraxia too.

The question is, if you had a choice between private school (small class sizes, perhaps more "traditional" and structured teaching style?, which might be a plus, but might also be too focused on academic results and not much SEN experience) versus a fantastic state primary (outstanding ofsted report, large class sizes, but a SENCO who knows what they're doing, and plenty of SEN experience) which would you choose??

Financially, private school is a possibility, although still tricky, but past SLT experiences puts me off private schools for special needs; so I'm just not sure...We're going to visit lots of schools, both private and state, but I'd love to know if anyone else has had this situation...

Can anyone offer any ideas? Sorry this is long and rambling, and thanks for any advice!!

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I would choose a state primary over a private school in your circumstances particularly if the private school had little SEN experience (not just to say an understanding).

I would also write to the LEA and apply for a Statement to further safeguard his educational needs.

That's really interesting; yep, the only plus for the private would be the class size (15 as opposed to 30) but it's great to hear your experience, oops - I like the lunchtime social group idea.

Does he or has he had language delays? thats actualy the difference between hfa and as, that simple! if yes and IQ normal then hfa, if not asd.

our ds's have been the victims of poor state ed but within state you have provision, statements, avenues of appeal... fully believe that other than for a very few borderline as, state is best with sn (unless a specialist recommended ny nas alternative i guess)

I would say go for the good state primary.

They will probably have a lot more experience of children with SEN, and I believe it is "easier" (said with tongue firmly in cheek) to get specialist provision with a statement when the child will be in state school as opposed to private.

Sounds like everyone's thinking the same. I think state primary probably where we'll go in the end, but we'll have a look round the privates too, and see what they're like..

Thanks for your comments!

A look round the privates??!!

Another vote for the state primary. A SENCO who knows what they are doing is a huge advantage.

Our school doesn't have the greatest OFSTED report and the class sizes are fairly big but the SENCO is brilliant and my boys (AS/HFA) are thriving there.

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Sorry I missed the thread, Oops but that's good news about your ds. It sounds as though things are heading in the right direction for him.

Our DS1 (ASD) is 4, last year he started in a non-selective, 'loving and nurturing' private school. He lasted 2 weeks and we had to withdraw him (we were told in no uncertain terms). The Head Teacher changed, the new Head decided that she didn't want any SN children dragging down the exam results. Like you, we thought that because of the small class sizes and structured curriculum it would be a better environment for DS1. It wasn't. The school, although it was definitely not an academic hot-house school, had no idea of SEN. They had never heard of the SEN Code of Practice, they were clueless about ASD, clueless about the process of intervention and graduated level of response, Statements, etc. It was a horrible experience but we learned a valuable lesson.

Private schools are not bound by the SEN Code of Practice, and whether they accommodate SEN is totally up to them. You have no recourse apart from dragging them to SENDIST for disability discrimination if they make no attempt to meet your child's needs. It is totally possible that you'll find a school which welcomes ASD and is willing to work with you, but I would choose a state primary anytime. Like coppertop said, don't look at Ofsted reports but talk to the staff and see how clued up they are. A good SENCO or Head will make all the difference.

Thanks very much drowninginlaundry, that's exactly what I feared re private schools. Interesting that noone seems to have had a good experience with them.