We feel stuck betweena rock and a hard place at the moment. You may remember we posted late last year about DS going before the pre-school panel? The upshot is that they have asked an EP to assess him for the next meeting - this is happening in the next few weeks. My instinct is telling me that they will put him forward for a SA, as he is still having difficulties at m/s nursery (this is his second placement the first was an absolute disaster), even with 1:1 support and he is being physical with other children, disruptive and is struggling to join in, as well as being at risk of absconding. I have put forward reports from everyone involved with DS - OT (who says in writing that he needs a statement), independent autism expert, my own letter outlining our concerns etc etc. I have already spoken to the EP and outlined my concerns and said that we are looking for a placement at a unit as we don't think he'll cope m/s.
I know that the advice is to apply for a SA ourselves, but we are so close to getting the assessment etc, that I feel it will almost delay things IYSWIM. Also, I know that in our county, someone I know has just recieved a statement for her DS going this route. He is about the same as our DS in most respects, but without the physical element, so my gut instincts are telling me that we should allow this process to continue.
If EP does not put him forward for a SA, we presumably can then apply for one ourselves?
The reason we feel so conflicted is that we are up against it in terms of time, as DS is due to start school in Sept. However, all those involved in his case are saying to hold tight and let the process happen.
My main worry is that we will end up having to send him to a m/s school as the statement won't be through in time, then he'll eb excluded/expelled or we'll have to mess him about by moving him to the unit after a term or a year IYSWIM.
I'm not sure the above makes any sense - sorry if I am rambling! Any advice and thoughts gratefully received.