Does anyone have an ASD child at independent school?

[ChildOfThe70s]

Sorry if this is long, but hoping for some advice on independent schools and ASD. DS2 was assessed for Aspergers but the results were unclear - he has some autistic traits such as reluctance to socialise with his peers, a few phobias and liking certain routines. His tests scored him not "autistic enough" for a diagnosis of ADS

I have two boys, currently at the same state school but we are moving during the summer and would like to send them to independent school. I don't mean a highly academic school, (neither of the DS's are highly academic!!) we just want to give them an opportunity to have small class sizes, good facilities etc which we will be able to afford when we move.

DS2's state school is offering him some extra help with writing and reading (not 1-to-1 but in a small group with others having similar problems). He also takes part in a little "socialisation" group once a week at school. He is quiet and doesn't contribute much in school but is very well behaved (he saves the tantrums for home )

I would love my boys to both go to the same school but I am wondering whether a state school might be more willing to help my DS2. (although I guess this depends on the school/available funds etc).

Just wanted to get some info/other peoples' experiences please!

I think it depends on the school.

My friends sends her dd1 (AS) to an independent school and he gets more help than my dd1 (AS) who is in state school.

You would need to talk to the schools you are thinking about as some of them won't take children with problems. They only want the best. Others are happy to have them in primary but not senior. Others happy if they have a statement others don't like statements as they force them to provide certain things.

My dd1 was in an independent school but she is now in a state as she has much more help and understanding. There is also a lot less pressure on her. Although the class sizes are bigger this doesn't seem to be too much of a problem. My dd2 is in an independent school which cope with her well as they have a good SN department but they wouldn't be able to cope with my dd1 as she has too many problems. She would also be isolated as she would be different.

It really depends on the school. The best thing you can do is ring them. You will be able to tell quite quickly if they will take your DS once you describe him. I've heard that 'selective' schools (where you sit an exam to enter) are less likely to offer places to SN children.

My friend has moved her son from m/s state to independent. He has HFA. She was told by some schools that he couldn't even go on the waiting list. He is in a school with small classes and doing very well.

Do you have particular schools in mind? The Gabbitas guide lists some independent non-specialist schools which already have some provision/experience of various SEN. There are some very academic, results-orientated schools included. I found that they were quite open to accepting SEN pupils as long as they could pass the entrance exam. There is also a version of The Good Schools Guide for SEN - it includes both specialist schools and mainstream with good SEN provision, state and independent. Their reviews tend to be quite wordy and give a bit more of a snapshot. I don't think it's published every year, so it is worth getting in touch with the school to check the current situation.

Thanks everyone - will check out the school guides mentioned.

I've been fairly upfront with the schools I've looked round recently - one or two in particular were pretty selective and made it clear they would not offer any provision for SEN. I don't think they would have suited either of my boys! The others I had in mind were not selective, just a case of the boys spending a day/half day at the school to see if they and the school felt comfortable together. These schools did say they offered extra help to pupils who had reading/writing difficulties etc (Greater London so many pupils with English as second language etc)

Because DH and I have no experience of independent schools (both went to state primaries and grammars) I'm just not sure what's best. I want to give both boys the same opportunities but I'm not sure whether independent school will be in the best interests of DS2. I think he'd do well with smaller class sizes though as he finds his current school quite "frantic" at times, and the assessments showed he is above average intelligence but he does need quite a bit of encouragement. I am rambling now - will go and check out the schools websites!