How do you chose a school?

[V1971]

Hello everyone, this is my first post.

 

I am in the process of finding a school for next year for my 3 year old son, who is on the autistic spectrum.

 

The problem is that I just can't tell which school would be good for him

 

I saw 2 schools so far and am seeing more next week. Headteachers and SENCOs don't give me enough information for me to judge. I explained that we are applying for a statement but asked what kind of support he'd receive in the even he didn''t get it. They just say that it depends on the funds at the time and on the child. They say that if he gets a statement they can provide this and that, but if he doesn't it's hard to say. Uh, thanks. So how am I supposed to choose? What did you do??? It's so frustrating.

[V1971]

I just realised that I should have posted this on the Education Forum, my apologies. Can a Mod move it for me please? Thank you.

[annie]

Hi V1971,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I've moved the thread as requested.

 

Annie

[Bullet]

I don't know what the procedure is where you are, but in Shropshire where I live I've been told not to worry about choosing a school yet for Tom as they need to wait until he's four before having an idea of wherther he would cope in mainstream or be better off in a special school.

[pumpkinpie]

Someone I know looked at all the schools in her lcoal area special and mainstream - about 21. Some more than once.

She eventually settled on a mainseram school 4 days a week and a special sschool for 1 day. Both schools work togerther. What I am trying to say is its worth doing the leg work, remeber things always take longer than you expect. Professioanls are all about keeping their budgets so take what they say with a pinch of salt as often you can get more than offerned if you really push!

[Canopus]

With great difficulty. It helps to know some parents who send their kids to the school to get an idea of what life is really like at the school and the attitudes of the staff. As previously stated, take the advice of the professionals with a pinch of salt.

 

Some schools are more supportive of kids with ASD than others. This results from the attitudes of the staff and how well they understand ASD and respect the everyday requirements of the individuals concerned. For example, some schools will let kids with ASD type classwork on a computer and let them stay inside at breaktime to avoid bullying. Other schools won't.

[V1971]

Thanks Annie for moving the thread for me.

 

I am in London and unfortunately I need to choose a school before 7 January 2007 so the pressure is on. His Ped doesn't believe he needs a special school and nor do to be honest, but is one near us and I will go and see it just in case. I am seeing all the schools in my area, 8 in total, I guess you are right in saying that I should be able to tell by the attitude of the Head. I guess I shall go with my gut feeling...

 

Thanks for your advice, please keep it coming!

Edited November 22, 2006 by V1971

[JsMum]

Thanks Annie for moving the thread for me.

 

I am in London and unfortunately I need to choose a school before 7 January 2007 so the pressure is on. His Ped doesn't believe he needs a special school and nor do to be honest, but is one near us and I will go and see it just in case. I am seeing all the schools in my area, 8 in total, I guess you are right in saying that I should be able to tell by the attitude of the Head. I guess I shall go with my gut feeling...

 

Thanks for your advice, please keep it coming!

 

 

Are any of these a difficulty for your son?

 

Interacting,

Listening to others

sharing

waiting to take turns

boisterous likes rough play

can he cope in large halls,

for example Dinner times

does he have any sensory issues

Noise. smell, disliking certain objects ect...

has he any recognised learning difficulties,

will he require 1-1 attention when on work/play/communcation

 

If the answer is yes Then you really need to think about other times in the day where your son will struggle and that is why a statement from the start will be an essential contribution to the intergration to his early day.

 

 

School isnt just about education, but socialising, and taking in the bigger picture of what a school building will pose on a child with spectrum disorder.

 

If there is any specific schools in your area that are for spectrum disorders do take a look and when you explain he is diagnosed they will have more information on applications.

 

JsMum

[sonia]

Where in London are you? I maybe of some help.

Sonia x

[V1971]

Jsmom, yes most of those you listed are a difficulty for my son, that's why we requested a statement. However, I have been told it is not easy to get one so I am preparing myself for the worst. Most schools seem to know what spectrum disorders are, the problem is help is only guaranteed if you have a statement. If you don't, they can't really tell you what kind of help you can get.

Sonia, I am in the Borough of Barnet.

[JsMum]

Jsmom, yes most of those you listed are a difficulty for my son, that's why we requested a statement. However, I have been told it is not easy to get one so I am preparing myself for the worst. Most schools seem to know what spectrum disorders are, the problem is help is only guaranteed if you have a statement. If you don't, they can't really tell you what kind of help you can get.

Sonia, I am in the Borough of Barnet.

 

your son will struggle then in school especially a mainstream without a statement, so I would defo make this your priority, the NAS have a educational helpline and can direct you more on the process, they also have a few leaflets on ASD and the playground, and classroom ask for these to be sent as well as they are fantastic and something that could go into his statement not if but when he gets one!

 

yes its a fight, but its worth it now rather than years down the line and your son is having difficulties with anxiety and fear because school is such a nightmare for him because of lack of privisions and support.

 

Statements are harder but you can get them if the child needs 1-1/ support and that what an assessment is, its to determine the areas of needs.

 

We can help with that fight, so dont let that put you off, and I am hearing more and more Parentpartnership Teams frightening parents with this quotation just in hope some parents dont bother, but its essential, so make sure you have lots energy, but you can get a statement if the evidence is showing your child needs a statement and even if LEA turn it down you can appeal and go to tribunal so there is a few stages to gO.

 

What ever you do dont be put off throw the words of oh" but its such a fight!"

 

JsMum

[Kathryn]

Is there a an ASD support group near you? I think there's an NAS branch in Barnet. It might be a good way to get in touch with local parents and get inside information on schools.

 

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

 

Kathryn x

[V1971]

Thank you very much JsMum, I am determined to fight all the way! I'll get touch with NAS and order that leaflet.

 

Kathryn ~ yes, I recently joined one, I will definitely compare notes.

 

[JsMum]

Hi Just been on a website that talks about SEN and choosing a school and it looks good, it goes into other websites such as ipsea and ace and it explains the process of statementing and the law.

 

I hope the link is aproved as it is quite a good site, you can also look up schools on the website and tell you more about ofsteds and descriptions of the type of school, though some may be misleading as the ofsteds are over 5 years old.

 

I thought it was worth a mention though so suggesting it,

 

http://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/?SEN

 

JsMum

Edited November 23, 2006 by JsMum

[V1971]

Thank you very much JsMom, I'll have a look.