Aspergers schools in Oxford

[firelighter]

Hi people. Just wondering if anyone knows of schools in Oxford that are good for Aspergers children. My DS is only 4 but I'm starting to panic and want to know what our options are. We're waiting for a paed assesment(JR Hospital)and his pre-school are doing the best he can but all the other kids are starting to make friends and have playdates (oh god oh god) and my DS is just so different (e.g.won't go outside at playtime) and it's hard to see when all the others are skipping about being 'normal' (how I hate that word now).
Anyway, will stop waffling. I just wish I had a crystal ball and I think it's hit me that we're at the start of a very long road. Thanks in advance.

I do not reside in that county so unfortunately cannot help with schools in that area. Presumably he will go to an infants school in the state sector?.

Go to each school in advance and ask them what their experiences are in educating children on the ASD spectrum and how many of them are statemented. Meet with the SENCO (special needs co-ordinator) and ask that person plenty of questions.

Does your son have 1 to 1 at nursery; does he have any additional funding allocated to him specifically?. This won;t necessarily be transferred to Infants; this is why you must act asap.

I would seriously look into obtaining a Statement of special needs for your son from your LEA asap. That is a long process; even if straight forward a Statement can take six months to set up.

You do not need anyone's permission to do this and you as parents have more clout than school would have if applying for such a document. For a start you can appeal if the LEA say no, the school cannot. A Statement is a legally binding document outlining your son's additional needs and how they are going to help him in terms of extra support given to him in school. Other plans like School Action and School Action plus if mentioned to you are limited in scope and are importantly not legally binding.

A Statement if obtained will make the school more aware of his additional needs both educationally and socially. Applying for such a document now would be easier than say waiting until the end of his reception year or even later than that.

You are your son's best - and only - advocate. Never forget that.

IPSEA are very good at the minefield that is the Statementing process and there are letters on there you can use:-

www.ipsea.org.uk

Hi, my daughter has AS she started main stream last september, she has a few problems making friends ,she has a lot of friends but only one close friend who seems to get fed up with dd from time to time, dd is happy to play by herself. Dd would refuse to go outside at nursery and was a very sensitive child, since being at school she has changed, the first few months were hard (she cried most days but was happy to go), now she enjoys every day and is doing great. Would main stream be an option for your DS?

Hi where is the Oxfordshire support group? My DS is currently undergoing assessment for AS and feeling a bit on my own with it all!! Would love to meet some other parents in similar situations and to meet some other little treasures

Hi TClanger,

Re your comment:-

"To be honest a lot of kids in Oxfordshire with high funtioning autism and aspergers are in mainstream, since oxfordshire will only statment those children with very severe and complex needs".

Oxfordhsire will only statement children with very severe and complex needs?!. That could possibly be seen as a "blanket policy" and such blanket policies are unlawful.

Hi TClanger,

No wonder you put a re the Head's comments; I would have also written the same.

You may be interested to know that IPSEA has written at length about LEA's devolving powers to the schools i.e they say to the schools, "well you sort it out". Problem as well with doing this is that none of what they offer is actually legally binding so often changes or gets cutback. It is an increasing problem and IPSEA have seen many examples of LEA's doing this. They have also complained at length to the Secretary of State re various LEA's devolved funding schemes. Its all on their website.

Certainly keep up the pressure on your MP and if you feel your son needs a Statement then fight tooth and nail to get it for him. You are your child'e best and only advocate ultimately.

Good luck to you!.

Attila

hi am new to this site but have some info that might help. i live in bicester and work in a secondary age autism base in thame my son has just been diagnosed as and am in a very difficult position with him at the moment. there is a part of oxfordshire council called SENSS who you can contact for school support for as/autistic kids. please feel free to contact me if u wish i will help if i can.

just out of interest does any body know if a person with diagnosed AS can join the army? or any of the forces? thanks

These links might be of use

portal.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/public/LandC/Childserv/sen/Special_Schools_Resource_Bases.pdf

portal.oxfordshire.gov.uk/content/publicnet/council_services/education_learning/special_educational_ needs/indicatorsspecialprovision.pdf

Hi
I have 4.5 yr old who is really struggling at first year of school in Oxfordshire. He has many of the aspergers traits but I have not sought a formal diagnosis. Any tips / support organisations. Class teacher quite supportive, head teacher very unsupportive - thinks it is all lack of discipline and routine at home.

Seek a formal dx. Go to your GP and ask for a referral to a paed....

You will get very little support with a dx - but almost none without a dx.

My advice is move we were central Oxford and CAHMS & Health visitor were all rubbish, parenting classes were the main suggestion.
14 months on in the Vale of white horse area we got continual support 1-1 at nursery based soley on my concerns. Ref to Paed took one visit to the Gp and we got a dx of Autism 6 months ago.

I dread to think where we would be still living in Oxford my dd would of suffered as a result.

St Nicholas Primary School, Old Marston, OX3 0PJ
Tel: 01865 726956

St Andrew?s CE Primary School, Chinnor, OX9 4PU
Tel: 01844 354827

these the only two ive found ? dont know what there like tho

St Nicholas is very over subscribed

St Andrews is 20miles + outside of Oxford

HTH

my dh is ex royal navy there obviously is a law for all inc them of disability discrimination but you have to pass a fairly simple test of math englis ect to get in .
i was trying to help hotmama of course they are ALL over subscribed the town i live in whic is nearly as big as birmingham in population and we have only one ASD school and as the head of inclusion at the LA said to me the other day in our meeting her job is closing these schools so not much hope of many on MN getting into one im afraid

oops forgot to add this is why majority of DC have to go by mini bus because of distance sorry was distracted by DS

@ betty-sorry wasn't a dig didn't know if you knew the area.

I went to St Andrews many many many years ago

i used to live nr there but as my Dh is an forces you get about a lot LOL now that sounds rude haha , its ok hotmama i was having problem with DS eating his tea (you know how it is) my friends son is having to travel 10 miles to his school but the lea couldnt fit him in locally so he has a taxi paid for by them so dont rule out schools altogether as long as in same county IYSWIM

Thats good do they provide a chaperone?