We went to DD1's new school today

[Lougle]

And it sounds fabulous. Really good. I did have a bit of a wobble though - she is in a class of 10 with 1 teacher and 3 TAs. At the moment she is in MS preschool with 1:1 and they really struggle with her.

Tell me it will all be alright, and I am worrying for nothing? (They say it will be ok).

She will be fine!

SN schools have more rigid routines and the teachers/TAs are used to handling children with SN. There are three TAs thre, one of them will sit with your DD if she needs the extra help.

DS2 went to a SN nursery for a year and thrived from it. I was so against him going to start with but glad he did.

It was a bit of a shock. They said that the biggest class size in the school is 10. Then after the presentation finished, I asked what class DD was in, and it was the one with 10.

I am just hoping the safer environment will reduce her need.

Is she in a class of mixed SN or a class with all the same? DS2 went to an ASD school, so the teachers and TAs were all trained in that. It was truely amazing to see how they managed each individual child.

Can you ask to go visit a class so you can se what happens durin the day? I found that helped me accept it a little bit more.

It is mixed, MLD, I think. The school takes PMLD, but they have a unit for those children. Then they have dedicated classes for pervasive ASD, then more general classes. DD's will be a Yr R/1 class.

I saw a little today. There were 3 children in the room, the rest had gone to softplay room. There were 2 TAs in the class with the 3 boys.

The class DD will be in is lovely. The bathroom is attached to the room, but has a high bolt, which I was pleased to see. It all looked fab.

I am just used to hearing the difficulties her preschool have had with her. And she has 1:1. But I guess that's what a SS is all about

I agree with Tribunalgoer, the whole enviroment will be better suited to her needs.

Yes, TG, I think perhaps you have hit the nail on the head. I think we have invested all our emotions into this 'solution', and have been waiting for it for 6 months now. I guess I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't the great thing I thought it was.

SALT provision sounds great. SALTS are based at the school. Assess, and provide SALT in groups and 1:1 if necessary, also do home visits. Will do whatever is needed.

OT - DD has already been flagged up for a new programme to do with sensory stuff.

Head teacher is convinced DD has ADHD, already, just from meeting her. But crucially says it doesn't matter that it isn't on her 'dx list' because they treat need not condition.

She has a shed of paperwork arriving each day from everywhere, but remembered that DD1 had a medical report sent through that arrived yesterday, and asked about her medication changes.

They all sound wonderful.

I suppose it is better to be one of the most able at SS than one of the least able at MS?

Lougle, my DS2 is one of the most able (now!) at his special school. he started there at 4, a nonverbal drooling floppy little boy who smiled and lined up crayons...

Now he's 13, still in special school but integrates into the mainstream for maths (just started, and it's fab), he can talk the hind leg off a horse, can read brilliantly, can write (ok like a 6-7 yr old but still brilliant considering how he used to be)

oh and still lines up crayons...

I was very unsure when we were offered a place for him, whether it was the right move..previously had been in a MS nursery with 1:1. They said he had SLD, now he has a diagnosis of ASD and I would say MLD.
In mainstream he would NOT have reached his potential , in SS he has not only exceeded all expectations but he is HAPPY. He is ABLE there, he has friends, and if his social skills are a bit odd because of his ASD.. well so are most of the kids and they accept and love eachother.

We have never looked back..

Macforme, really happy to read about your son's experience and progress in his special school. My son (just turned 5, ASD) has wasted a year floundering in MS and is lucky enough to have been given a place at a MLD school starting September. The school is great and I think it'll be fantastic for him but there's always the nagging fear that you're just investing hope in the latest option to present itself.

Thank you all. I am sat listening to DD1's rendition of 'Little Peter rabbit had a fly upon his nose', and oddly, that has confirmed it for me. I forget who and 'what' DD1 is. She is just DD1. But, her attempt at that rhyme just shows how behind her peers she is. DD2 is 20 months younger, and can sing it clearly with actions. DD1 can sing odd words, and has to really think before continuing.