scrappybunny

just wanted to wish you luck getting it sorted. My son was home for several years whilst the LEA 'looked' for a school, they offered very little and were also adamant we had a typical EBD child (so not true). I wanted an ASD specialist and ended up looking for schools myself, arguing with the LEA to send off his paperwork (which they didnt, so I did myself). Finally shortly after one very challenging Annual Review, they did an about turn and agreed with our decision. We had a lot of evidence to support our choice too. Now we have a place at a Priory school and its working out really well. Our statement named a Mainstream school for many years, despite no mainstream school being able to take him, and the LEA were unwilling to change this. At our most recent review, I found that our statement had been amended to mention an EBD school without my knowledge! After this review I'm making sure its correct!

Agreeing with Bid here, my son is at a Priory school, and we've just had our three month review meeting. We've had so much contact with the school that the meeting didnt tell me anything I didnt already know but they took it as a chance to formally review everything and then tell ds that he was all official now

The LEA should be able to provide you with a list of state schools. And the NAS website sells a2 books with a list of all mainstream schools and then special needs schools (listed by county). Try also your local Connexions office, they can also find a list. hth

great news well done

when my son was home and receiving link ed, moving onto a college (that could cope!) was a possible option of moving forward (we would have been year 8/10). fortunately we found a residential place that worked and so didnt need to go ahead with that.

I'd be wanting it on the statement, definitely! In fact, thats what we are doing at the moment on our own Statement. My son is away at a residential school and they have access to OT and SALT, however the input from those is minimal as priority is given to those with it written onto the statement. So at our Annual review, one of the recommendations is that both are written into ours. I particularly wanted this as he has struggled with school placements and so if he was yet again at home, the OT and SALT would still need to be provided.

yes, I know what you mean. Its beyond belief really. I sit back now and can hardly believe that my son was out of school for 4 years, and was only part time here and there before that. I feel like I've been battling for years! and it feel so hopeless but you just keep going dont you. As I said, we've no experience of tribunal, but I'll be keeping everything crossed for you that it works out

I can definitely understand you feeling hopeless. We've not been through tribunal, but ds was excluded from school in Y7, he's now in year 10, and had spent that time at home, with a few hours a week one-to-one link education, whilst we tried to find a school. The LEA were dead set on looking at one school at a time, and you all know how long the red tape takes, going to panel, letters, visits, etc etc *sigh* and they also were insisting on an EBD school - when ds is diagnosed with Aspergers! At our last annual review, we got our psychologist and paediatrician to write to the LEA supporting our claim for the TYPE of school to be named as an ASD school, not an EBD. I'd been searching for schools myself, and sending off paperwork, arranging visits (for me, not dragging ds round the country at that stage) etc . My ds is a bright boy, and very lively at times, with zero social skills, and it seemed everytime we found a school it was either full, or couldnt take him, or felt he was too deschooled to even try quite heartbreaking at times. Eventually, we began to look at different options. Link Ed isnt available here for Year 10 and 11 students, so we looked at local colleges to see if he could start a college early, with support, or some kind of mix between college with some SALT, OT, etc. We were lucky though, and did eventually find a ASD school that is great. dont give up hope

Let us know how you get on Just another thought, we were very lucky in that our consultant paed. and pyschologist both agreed that ASD setting would be best, so thats really helpful, they even put it in writing direct to the LEA. The LEA said they refused point blank to take notice of what our medical team were saying, and that it was purely an educational decision. So we pointed out that he would in fact spend more time in a social setting whilst at this RESIDENTIAL school, so in a home AND education setting, and therefore even more reason for this type of school. fingers crossed for you

My son is 14 and has ASD. We tried to keep him in mainstream for as long as possible, on the advice of our Ed Psych, but it clearly wasnt working and he's spent the last almost three years at home! Again on the advice of the Ed Psych, our LEA wanted him in an EBD school, but I dug my heels in and insisted on an ASD-specific schoo, and I am so glad I did. A few months ago our LEA agreed to look out of county, and he's just been away on an assessment at the school. Its early days yet but they say it went really well and not only that, he loved it! and cant wait to go back! I cannot believe the way he talks about it! He has said its great to be in a place full of kids like him

def look into the youth club if you get the chance, although I know sometimes time can seem so short my son is 13 (ASD) and hasnt been to school in years (lack of placement more than anything!) anyways, he is very isolated and spends the majority of his time with me and a few hours a week one to one with a youth worker. last year our local Joint Agency Team finally got him a place in a Youth Club - although it IS a special needs youth club - we'd been waiting for quite some time. As my son is extremely isolated from other kids I was naturally very concerned, but they also got an enabler in place. The Youth Club handled it beautifully. The chap that ran it came out to our house to meet us both, and brought the enabler with him. They stayed and had a chat and filled out their forms. Then a few days before his first time the enabler came to our house just to play with him, and she was lovely! then on the night, she came early, took him to the youth club before anyone else arrived so he could have a look around, and even showed him a park outside and made it very clear that if things got a bit much for him she'd love to take him there. we've never looked back! they are the best thing ever - school might have gone to pot but this is a massive success. The enabling did only last 8 weeks and i was very worried about him being there 'along' so-to-speak. but the staff there were fantastic, they say he's great fun and they love having him there, they really have a good idea on how to cope with him and when the chap running it moved on to another placement earlier this year, the new lady came in and spent some time with my son so he felt comfortable with her! couldnt ask for more as I say, it IS a special needs group, but the kids and staff are all fabulous. not sure I would feel the same about any other youth club iykwim.

I've looked at both in Frome, and just been today to one in Yelverton. I am not sure if I am allowed to make comments on them on the forum though, so if you want to PM feel free I'm looking for an ASD school but not found one yet

you go girl! I'm with you. I'd def be chasing it. We've had huge problems with our Statement, and I dont intend to let them drag on any longer either! good luck

I think the whole thing is a minefield. My son has been statemented since Y2 (now aged for Y9 but not in school at all - long story) and at the time he always tested as well above average. this has continued despite him spending less and less time in school. And up until a couple of years ago, the Ed Psych always said Mainsteam was the only option as he was very bright and therefore able to cope. However, they couldnt cope, and he couldnt cope, so now we are looking for a specialist school, but arent having much luck as he is usually too able for them And the Ed Psych that kept banging on about mainstream now recommends EBD * cue more * Sorry, I've not been much help, just wanted to share my experience that its hard to find the right provision for a bright kid with SEN. I remember being told by someone years ago that if my son wasnt so bright, the LEA and school would have known exactly what to do and when, but because hes so clever they are stuck.

wishing you the very best of luck, I think I'll be following in your footsteps at some point. My 13yo has been at home since May 05, current getting 6 hrs a week link ed but no therapy of any kind (OT/SLT/etc). Finally heard from the LEA with a notice to amend the statement (last updated Feb 05) to state a school for Emotional and Behavioural difficulties, as thats what their Ed Psych recommends. This man has spent hardly any time with ds, and yet I have support from our Paed and Psych for an ASD school. Not that there is one in the county. Sounds like IPSEA were more helpful for you, they told me I had to send ds to the school the LEA wanted or to fund his education myself anyways, keeping my fingers crossed for you