School move for ASD teen

[stclair]

Dd13 and in yr 9 has just been diagnosed with ASD. She has found it very hard since moving to senior school - difficulty making friends, social anxiety, overdose - and is now on antidepressants for depression. School (independent) have been doing a great job since CAMHS have been involved to help get her back to school following a spell of refusal but I’m not sure if it is the right place for her. The psychiatrist mentioned schools better suited for asd children with the knock-on effect of finding understanding friendships. Has anyone moved their teen after diagnosis and found a marked improvement with their happiness? She copes with the work but really not with the social aspect.

I’m not in your situation, but the first question would be does DD have an EHCP?

Do you have any of those sorts of schools near you is the question IMO.

Thanks for replying. No she doesn’t have an EHCP, the psychiatrist is going to discuss it with colleagues and see if way forward. As for those sorts of schools, I don’t even now where to look. It was inferred some mainstream schools have better provision than others ?

You can, and imo should, apply for an EHCNA yourself now. IPSEA have a model letter you can use. The process takes 20 weeks if you don’t have to appeal, but many people do have to appeal and the current wait times are around a year. You will need an EHCP for a SS, many independent SS don’t allow parents to self fund and where they do they fees and SEN support are very expensive.

The benefit of an EHCP is it can include therapies in excessive of what is otherwise typically available via CAMHS.

Some MS are better than others. You can search for schools here.

If there isn’t a suitable school within travelling distance (for secondary age 1hr15 is normally considered reasonable, although some do travel further) you can look at residential.

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I don’t know what any of those abbreviations mean - I have a lot of reading up to do

EHCNA = education, health and care needs assessment - the needs assessment you first apply for before the LA decide whether to issue an EHCP or not.
EHCP = education, health and care plan.
SS = special school.
SEN = special educational needs.
MS = mainstream school.

IPSEA is a charity that support parents with SEND matters.

Thank you!

Desperate! Residential special school for DS 15 with ASD, learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and possible mental health issues - ideas anyone? We are based in the South East but flexible as to area.

Sorry meant to start new thread.

cheesenchocolate You can search for schools here. Have a look at some of Aspris, Cavendish, Ruskin Mill, Aurora, Witherslack and NAS’s schools.

@Cheesenchocolate have a look at Limpsfield Grange. Not sure about learning disabilities but I know people that are very happy with their provision

@stclair I am in a similar position. How does your daughter feel about it all? Mine has been completely resistant to any change since diagnosis - which surprised me as she had been very open about things since then. It’s almost like she won’t accept it now that it’s real.
At the moment I am working with the school (state) to get an EHCP in place. Since diagnosis the school has been much more flexible and I’m starting to think we may stay there and work on getting the support needed.

Limpsfield Grange is for girls, Cheesenchocolate’s DC is a DS.

Apologies, I meant to say More House (Moor House?) - specialist school for boys. Not sure if it’s residential though.

It is unlikely More House (boys) or Moor House (co-ed) would admit with challenging behaviour.

@Ralphswife she has been happier at school with a change of tutor group and teaching group. She only started back on full days (minus drama) after Christmas. Was going ok but we went into school today for a GCSE meeting and apparently she self harmed at school today and got sent to the nurse. We thought she was much happier but she says not 😕.

She was keen on the idea of changing schools initially but now preferring to stay put. No mention of going for an EHCP though so May bring that up.

You can apply for an EHCNA yourself, you don’t need school to or their permission.