Contribution to statutory assessment

[4nomore]

My son's school have put in for him to have a statutory assessment(4 yrs, ASD, minimally verbal, aloof).He's in mainstream and they don't seem to be doing anything with him - I'd like to try and steer him towards a special school if at all possible (have an appt to go and look around a very good local school with ASD provision). I don't want to do miles of waffle answering all the points that they suggest you should if you want to put a report into panel because there are a number of reports going in that already make all of that explicit. The paed has done a report which is useful in context, it certainly doesn't minimise his problems! Has him functioning at well below half his actual age. I also have a report from his EYAS (from July this year) which I don't think will go to the panel and I think I should put it in myself in concert with my contribution but I want to know if I'm barking up the wrong tree in what I'm trying to do. This report from the EYAS reflects a far more able child than the paed's report does, I want to use it to argue that it shows the benefit of an appropriate specialised approach to my son (because that is exactly what it does show) but I'm worried that they might just use it to argue that he's capable of functioning with minimal support in a mainstream class - DISASTER! What does anyone here think?

thanks (just for reading all this)

I think it's a difficult one to judge, but my thoughts are that UNTIL you get a statement, you make everything sound as bad as poss. Any hint that your child is doing well, and they'll use it as excuse to deny a statement, and to say that he can function in mainstream with a little Early years action plus (is that what the EYAS is?). So actually the EYAS statement may be deliberately positive as in the end the school is in the LEA's pocket, and the LEA want your kid to stay in mainstream as it is CHEAPER. To prove he needs special school, many pals of mine have had to categorically prove that their children simply can't function in mainstream, that they are too anxious, or that they'll come to harm, or that they can't function in the chaotic environment. I think your parental submission at the assessment stage needs to highlight all your child's difficulties, make them bad, and also have a lot on how unable he has been to access anything at mainstream. The paed's report sounds helpful; the EYAS may be a little biased, so you might want to cover off in your submission "despite all the great work of the EYAS" my child remains ... and then go into exactly why/how he can't cope at mainstream. Remember, no-one is on his side except you, his mum. I found that one out the hard way, as I originally thought schools / portage etc were working in my autistic son's best interests. Now I am unfailingly sweet, but trust no-one! Funnily enough, I am fighting the exact opposite battle to you - wanting to keep my son in mainstream and finding all our local "special" schools woefully inadequate with the bar set way too low and expecting too little of my son. Good luck!

Cheers, yeah, I was worried that they'd use it like that! EYAS is Early Years Autism Specialist and she's like a sort of nursery nurse / portage worker who used to see him in nursery and at home to work (play) with him, developing his skills. I think he's quite bright but really quite autistic - it takes a lot to bring out the bright.

Have you thought of using ABA - it has been the absolute best thing for my son (ASD, aged 6). His behaviours and his speech have come on a great deal. Given the choice, a special school that uses ABA would be best, but you can use the principles at home too - harnessing his own hobbies to get him to talk (eg one of son's first words was "push" because he wanted us to give him a big push on the swing.

Love to but can't really do it properly as I'm single parent with very demanding 7 yr old in addition and trying to do a degree/job! It's kind of vital that the people who are supposed to educate my son are up to the job 'cos I can't do all that I'd like to

I have a child who has gone through the mainstream 'inclusive'system to junior level and that was good then. But all childrens 'need' change and that just doesnt 'fit' into the LEA's financial box!
I am fighting to get him into special needs school too. I have found the Independant Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA www.ipsea.org.uk ) to be BRILLIANT!! You just have to keep phoning until you get through. They will help you word everything (as I'm filling in the endless LEA forms they try to thwart you with )and the advisor I had also said to play down any positives and build up the struggles your child has. So far we're through the first part of the battle and with them behind me I'm feeling more confident. Give them a go. Good luck