Residential schools

[fairynormal]

My son has multiple problems, Aspergers, Tourette's, OCD, severe anxiety, ADHD, motor learning difficulties and sensory inegration dysfunction. He is currently in his 3rd week of being excluded from school and the chances of finding him an alternative placement are looking more bleak by the day.

 

His doctors and outreach workers all keep pushing the point that they feel he should be placed in a specialist residential school. I don't agree. Up to now he has been in mainstream with support so residential is a huge leap away from this. I have looked around some loacl SEN schools but fele the chances of him getting a place a slim as most are full or cannot cater for his needs. He is a bright lad but has marked quite severe difficulties (not learning difficulties) and mental health issues.

 

There are no residential schools near where we live in Sheffield and the only one that has been mentioned is in the Lake District which is miles away. I'm a single mum and don't drive so it may as well be at the ends of the earth to me. I feel it is so wrong to rip him away from his family and everything he loves when he is so anxious as it is. I feel it would cause more harm than good and couldn't bear for him to feel as if I didn't want him or was pushing him away. Everyone keeps telling me to keep an open mind and look at what is best for him and where his needs can be catered for best. I feel that is at home with the right support.

 

I feel as if the residential option is an 'out of sight out of mind' one for all involved with him. The team that work with him are at a loss as how to help us so if he goes to a residential school he will be 'contained' there and they don't have to worry anymore as he's not their problem.

 

Is my judgement clouded here and am I being selfish? Everyone is making me feel like I am but all I wnt is for my boy to be happy and feel loved in his own home not somewhere full of strangers miles away.

 

Any opinions?

 

Thanks

[spectrumlady]

< Hi fairly normal, I think you should trust your instincts here, although you obviously need to be making some kind of decision. Why don't you try a staggered approach ? he could go for an overnight stay several times, and gradually extend this when some trust has been built up.

 

<'> <'>

[Kathryn]

Hi fairynormal,

 

Sorry to hear you're having such a tough time with school at the moment.

 

Residential school - it's a big decision and it's an option we were considering for our daughter at one stage, having also reached an educational dead end. She opted to stay at home and go to the local FE college in the end.

 

We visited a school we really liked, for secondary age children with AS. The atmosphere was happy and positive, caring but with high academic expectations, and it was clear the school did a lot more than contain its pupils, many of whom come to the school extremely anxious having lost all confidence after a bad experience in the mainstream system. The pupils are helped at their own pace to rebuild their self esteem and gain independence.

 

Some children thrive in the stable environment the right residential setting provides- as people on the forum who have made that choice will tell you. But it's a very personal thing - it doesn't suit everyone, and all schools differ so it might be a good idea to visit one or two just to see what they're like. In the end though, as spectrumlady says, you must go with your instincts. If only there was a wide choice of educational options available, it would be so much easier.

 

Does your son have any views on where he wants to go?

 

K x

[JJ's mum]

My daughters dad went to a residential special school from the age of 10 as he has severe dyslexia and at the time there wasnt the expertise within mainstream schools.He felt very rejected by his parents. He was also severely bullied during his time there and felt he had nowhere to escape to.In my opinion it caused a lot of his difficulties. He has hardly worked since so in my opinion there was no profit in his case. I dont want to scare you, I just wanted to let you know it isnt all rosy in any school. At least if he is educated locally he has the sanctury of his own home and room to retreat to, the food he likes, flexibility to do the things he enjoys.

 

If your insticts are saying no, go with them. I am a believer that love, security and a stable background is worth far more than the best education. Have you considered home ed/ tutoring? The LEA have an obligation to educate the child. You are not being selfish by not wanting to send him to residential, most children have a home upbringing and you want the same for your boy, I see nothing wrong in that. You can provide more than some, in that you can provide a loving home. The LEA have to make provision, maybe they could use a home tutor and you could help him with the rest. As he is bright, he may well be able to complete the national curriculum at home with some promting from you.

 

You said your child is bright, but his problems are with mental health. Im not convinced a school can provide the unconditional love,support and security that you can. The 3 greatest human needs concerned with internal needs are love security and self esteem. I dont see the education system listed in Maslows heirarchy of needs.

 

As a parent, no matter what his educational or behavioural needs, I will do the best by my child, whatever that is. For some they feel the kids need the routine and maybe some respond to the methods used in such schools. The NAS has some residential schools and looking at the website they look wonderful. In my opinion it is best to teach a child how to function in a home environment, how to relate to the world and not just their peers, wherever possible. I would give home ed/tutoring a go if all else fails. School may well be a part of your sons probs especially if he gets bullied. Who knows he may just respond well to less stress and expectations. I have a great home education book specific to ASD's from the NAS. It has a lot of positive stories about how the children have thrived when they are out of the education system. For me this is the way to go if I find my son is anxious all the time at school, but it doesnt suit everyone.

 

Im only raising the point because you obviously feel you can provide the best for your child, I feel exactly the same. In your sons case he may get a better education but if he doesnt leave school happy and with a positive self esteem he wouldnt thrive in the world of work anyway. Yet a happy child with no qualifications can go far. If whatever the LEA suggest works then all is well but if not it could leave your son with more anxieties. Trust your heart and go with it. You know your son better than anyone. Going to such a school may do nothing more than prepare him to live in such a school. You can equip him with what he needs to thrive in the real world and with a group of people representative of the real world.

 

If you want to read the book at any time, PM me and Id be happy to loan it to you.

 

Sorry for the essay. Its a long way of saying go with your heart and you are not selfish, quite the opposite. If you were selfish you would already be thinking of the nights out ...

[bid]

Hi Fairynormal,

 

My son has AS, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourettes, and went to the residential special school for AS Kathryn mentioned, and he has since gone on to a residential special FE college for AS run by the same people.

 

It's a very personal thing...I can only tell you about our experiences.

 

My son had a severe breakdown and was out of mainstream school for 6 months, a very, very unwell lad who was no longer functioning as a learner due to acute anxiety. When I first mentioned just the idea of a residential special school, his immediate response was 'when can I go?' He said he wanted to be with other kids 'like him', and he definitely needed the security and support of a specialist placement.

 

What he found at his school was the acceptance and specialist support he had never had in mainstream. As he was supported in achieving, both academically and socially, his confidence blossomed and his acute anxiety disappeared. At the end of his first year he was awarded 'Student of the Year'.

 

He left his special school with an excellent set of GCSE results, which he would never have achieved either in mainstream or at home with tutors (he did have some home tutoring from the LEA when he was out of school). For a lad with significent Dyspraxia, he even got a good GCSE in Craft, Design and Technology, making a computer table...because the staff had the time, experience and knowledge to enable him to achieve in a field where he had always 'failed' in mainstream. He was also able to get a GNVQ in ICT, which is usually only available post-16 in mainstream.

 

At his special college, as well as doing his A levels at the local mainstream college with a support worker, he has alot of support to learn and experience all those vital life-skills, like budgeting on a weekly allowance for food,etc, cooking for himself and the other students, organising trips out for himself and his friends.

 

His school and college are about a 300 mile round-trip from our home. But he has always come home either every other weekend or every third weekend, and of course for the school holidays. Transport is paid for by our LEA, and they paid for me to go with him at first, too.

 

I think for my son there was a huge sense of relief when he got to his special school. In the car on the way home from his initial visit, he said it had been the best day of his life, even better than getting his beloved computer!! For the first time in his life he actually said to me: 'mum, I do love me'...this from a lad who from the age of 6 had only ever said how much he hated himself and that he wished he was dead.

 

Of course, we have had some moments along the way, but I know absolutely that by letting him go to a residential special school I gave my son his future back.

 

I would say, go and visit as many schools as you can and try to have an open mind. You might be surprised by what you find! I visited one school, which was lovely, but I just knew it wouldn't be right for my son. When we walked into the school he did go to, we both just 'knew' straight away.

 

Good luck <'>

 

Bid

 

Sorry, but I've just seen JJ's last comment...I don't think anyone who lets their child go to a residential school is 'thinking of the nights out'. It is heart-breaking for all of us, but we try to see beyond, to the wider picture of their future. I would never comment on parents who keep their children at home, and I don't think anyone should pass comment on parents who let their children go to a residential school.

Edited January 31, 2007 by bid

[hev]

well im definately not thinking of the nights out jjs mim when my steven goes to residential,im thinking of my nights in sitting in missing him

 

i know exactly what you are going through fairly normal,its a terrible position to be in,i have different thoughts about it every day,i think we are going down the residential route,i really want to give steve the future he deserves,pm me if you want to chat about anything,im in a dilemma as well <'> <'>

[Canopus]

I attended a residential school for EBD during the early 1990s and it was a very unhappy and unpleasant experience that affects me even to this day. The school was unsuitable and didn't meet my needs. I was also bullied and treated badly by the staff and other kids. You can read more about my time at the school in older posts on this forum.

 

Despite my bad experience, I am not against residential schools and many have improved since my days. The most important issue is whether the school really meets the needs of your son and whether he is happy there. If he starts at the school and is unhappy and feels the school doesn't meet his needs then be prepared to withdraw him no matter what the staff say.

[Kazzen161]

I would suggest you go and visit several residential schools, as they vary a lot. I visited more than 5 residential schools (all good), and only one was right for my son.

 

It is not a decision to be taken lightly, but it may be that it would be for the best for your son.

 

Karen

[Canopus]

I feel as if the residential option is an 'out of sight out of mind' one for all involved with him. The team that work with him are at a loss as how to help us so if he goes to a residential school he will be 'contained' there and they don't have to worry anymore as he's not their problem.

 

This was what happened to me. My LEA never checked on my progress at the school after I started and seemed to use the school as a dustbin until I completed Y11. Many other kids had an LEA rep come to the school at least once a term to check up on progress. I found this worrying and mentioned this several time with the head and my EP but no action was taken. I suggest you discuss the matter of regular progress checking with your LEA to find out if they will check your son's progress if he goes to residential, or if they expect the school to provide all services and the LEA to provide just funding.

[JJ's mum]

Sorry, but I've just seen JJ's last comment...I don't think anyone who lets their child go to a residential school is 'thinking of the nights out'. It is heart-breaking for all of us, but we try to see beyond, to the wider picture of their future. I would never comment on parents who keep their children at home, and I don't think anyone should pass comment on parents who let their children go to a residential school.

 

I dont think I was saying you were thinking of the nights out, I was merely saying that the other person was not being selfish. ie a selfish person would be thinking of the nights out and wishing the child away. I was in no way passing comment on people who send their kids to residential school. Im sure it is an agonising decision and in my post I did say it was good for some children. The op was agonising that her child needs the love and support she can provide and in my opinion she may well be right, she knows her son best. The LEA often dont. If she feels it is in the childs best interest to send him to res, then she should. If she doesnt then she shouldnt.

 

Im not sure why people have to be so nasty on this forum. Ive been here just a couple of weeks and already I have been insulted several times. We all have agonising decisions to make regarding their kids, myself included. Many children that are home educated can do well both socially and academically given the committment of their parents. School isnt the only way to socialise nor to meet other people like yourself.

[bid]

JJ, you have shared your opinions about residential special schools.

 

I have tried to share my experience of my son's successful attendance at a residential special school.

 

I have never made any comments about parents who choose to home educate.

 

I see another poster noticed your comment about 'nights out', too.

[JJ's mum]

I see another poster noticed your comment about 'nights out', too.

Which was in a comment about selfishness and in no way linked to residential schools. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You singled me out implying I was saying people who send their kids to residential schools are thinking of the nights out which couldnt be further from what I was saying.

Differing opinions are one thing, everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyones opinion is linked to their own experience. Im not saying residential schools are wrong. Im still a believer that there is no place like home though.

I dont want to turn this thread into an argument about one comment so this is the last I will say on the matter. The poster obviously wants advice so Ill leave the thread free for those that want to give it. A mother can only go with her instincts.

Edited January 31, 2007 by JJ's mum

[bid]

Thank you JJ for clarifying your comment about 'nights out'.

 

You go on to say that I'm still a believer that there is no place like home though.

 

That may well be true for your child, but not for all children.

 

Some children can only receive the specialist support and provision they need in a residential placement.

 

I was trying to share a positive experience of residential education with Fairynormal.

Edited January 31, 2007 by bid

[Suze]

We `have 2 specialist residential schools in our borough, both are excellent.One caters for those affected severely by their autism, and focuses on learning self help skills rather than their academic education.The other is a charity run independent school that has glowing reports whenever they are in the local press.My son attends the only ASD unit in a high school in our area , the level of support he gets is fantastic, he is disapplied from subjects, given social skills help and supported full time.The best thing to do would be to have a good look around at what is on offer, ask your lea for a list of special schools and units.

[hev]

jjs mum i must admit i did take your comment about nights out to heart as in my head im going through such a tough time knowing what to do for my son that im sensitive about it,if it came across as an insult that wasent my intention.

 

anyway back to the discussion i have been given the name of a school and the lea are going to give them stevens papers to see if the school is suitable then i look at the school to see if we think its ok for steven,steven is ok with the idea,we have had a good chat,just got to wait now

[fairynormal]

Thanks for all the comments ( I think!!! lol!)

 

I went to visit a special school yesterday that specilaises in ASD but didn't feel it was suitable for my son and anyway, they have no places, or physical space for any more pupils until September. I am going to look at a local integrated resource unit tomorrow also. This one gets rave reviews from everyone so fingers crossed.

 

I just feel that too many people, LEA and docs included want to push us into something we're not ready for yet.

 

Thanks again everyone <'>

[baddad]

Thanks for all the comments ( I think!!! lol!)

 

I went to visit a special school yesterday that specilaises in ASD but didn't feel it was suitable for my son and anyway, they have no places, or physical space for any more pupils until September. I am going to look at a local integrated resource unit tomorrow also. This one gets rave reviews from everyone so fingers crossed.

 

I just feel that too many people, LEA and docs included want to push us into something we're not ready for yet.

 

Thanks again everyone <'>

 

 

Hi FN -

I think I can only add my opinion to those already expressed that the best educational environment for your kid is the one that can best meet his/her needs. Sometimes people are really lucky, and find that kind of provision available locally, and sometimes they have to look further afield...

I can understand exactly your concern about your child being 'warehoused' rather than 'greenhoused' and i think in the past - as Canopus has highlighted - warehousing was a much bigger issue. These days, with tighter budgets and the cost implications of out of area provision I think it's much less likely, but still something that you need to be aware of. I would add though (and there are always two sides to any coin!) that warehousing can be as much a factor at local level as it can in residential, and there are many, many parents on the forum who are struggling to get needs met in local environments that should be able to fill those needs.

As far as the questions of Love, support and emotional fulfilment goes I have no doubts that those things can be delivered in equal measure when children are in residential placements - it's not a question of the time that's spent apart, but how enriching the time spent together is made to be. I think in some cases, where there are very complex needs that cannot be met and are actually challenged by the home environment, that that 'distance' can be a huge positive for all concerned...

Tough decision, and I really do hope that local provision your visiting can solve the dilema for you.

 

L&P

 

BD

[Frangipani]

Hi Fairynormal,

 

I think your son sounds a lot like my son. I just posted some more in your post in medications on Risperidone.

 

Have a read. I believe this can make a huge difference.

 

Its worth a try.

 

F

[Canopus]

I find this situation a bit worrying. There are parents here who are fighting like hell with their LEA to get their kids into residential with no success in sight, but your LEA appears willing to send your son to residential school without you specifically asking for it. You mentioned that the team that work with him are at a loss as how to help him, so as baddad put it, they could be willing to pay whatever money it costs to warehouse him wherever will take him to get him off their backs. Does the residential school cater for kids with your son's conditions or is it some EBD / general behavioural problem school? Have you seen the school yet and determined how suitable it is? The residential school I ended up at was the third one I looked at because the two previously recommended schools were found to be totally unsuitable when visiting them.

[bid]

I know it can be hard to believe but sometimes LEAs actually do think about the best interests of the child!!

 

In our case, once we had got through the initial agreement to assess for a Statement we had no problems at all with a residential placement. All the professionals involved in my son's case agreed that this was the best thing for him, and our Out of County Placements Officer was fantastic...she spent ages answering endless panicky phone calls from me, and the school my son went to was suggested by her.

 

We didn't have to go to tribunal for anything, and in fact the LEA let him start at his school with his papers following down later.

 

I do realise how lucky (unique??!! ) we were, but just sometimes an LEA can actually deliver!

 

Have to add, though, that it was my third attempt in 10 years to get a Statement, and things only happened when my son was reduced to a disgraceful state from struggling to cope with mainstream, so not all good by any means

 

Bid

[baddad]

You mentioned that the team that work with him are at a loss as how to help him, so as baddad put it, they could be willing to pay whatever money it costs to warehouse him wherever will take him to get him off their backs.

 

 

Hi canopus/fairly normal -

Thought I'd better jump in quick here 'cos I think I've been less clear than I intended!

What I was actually trying to say was that Warehousing in residential is less likely to be an issue these days because the funding for that still comes out of the referring local authorities budget (it used to be shared funding across authorities, I think(?)), and it is a hugely expensive way of doing things when budgets are being continually tightened. It doesn't actually rule out the possibility (which is what I meant to say), but it would be far more likely that if warehousing was the intent that they would push to get the child in a local (inappropriate) day placement than an (inappropriate) out of area residential one...

Hope that is clearer.

Obviously, the converse is also true - that if there IS appropriate day provision locally that will be far and away the LEA's preference, so chances are in this instance that the decision the LEA have reached is the 'right' one based on THEIR interpretation of the data and the local provision available.

 

The real question here is whether the LEA's/Professional interpretation is accurate, and whether they have fully investigated the resources that are available at local levels, and that's the tough decision I highlighted...

 

Really hope the unit you visited today looked like a viable option

 

L&P

 

BD

[fairynormal]

Thanks again everyone <'>

 

The school I visited today was wonderful It is a small junior school in a lovely village setting not too far from us. The integrated unit is lovely with great facilities including a sensory room. After lunch each day the kids from the unit go in there to be calm and have a massage! They can lay around in the lovely room and it helps them be calmer amd more focussed to go back to lessons. The emphasis is on integration and they are encouraged to take part in as many lessons in the main school as possible. Lunch and playtimes are fully integrated but have the facilities for those who can't cope. I was really impressed and am going to phone in the morning to arrange to take Isaac for a visit.

 

The only problem I know I will have is the same everywhere. As he has mental health problems as well as the Aspergers, everyone keeps saying that they are not equipped to cope with his needs. The thing is, there are no schools for kids with mental health problems, only learning difficulties etc. At this rate no-one will take him. As he has such a complex disgnosis, schools are loathe to try as he doesn't fit neatly into one little box.

 

I do feel hopefull though. The SEN panel meet next thursday 8th and would like me to submit my wishes by then if possible. I have made it clear that I want him placed in non residential and will keep looking until I find somewhere suitable.

[bid]

Just to say that my son had serious mental health problems, which were well-supported in his residential special school for AS. I was worried that they wouldn't take him, but the staff weren't fazed at all, as the majority of the children there had similar problems, largely caused by their struggle to cope in mainstream, I think.

 

Have you had a look at some of the independent special schools for AS? You may find that some of them do have the expertise in complex needs that your son needs. Gabbittas is a good place to start, as they list all special schools, independent and LEA.

 

Good luck <'>

 

Bid

Edited February 1, 2007 by bid

[JsMum]

Thanks again everyone <'>

 

The school I visited today was wonderful It is a small junior school in a lovely village setting not too far from us. The integrated unit is lovely with great facilities including a sensory room. After lunch each day the kids from the unit go in there to be calm and have a massage! They can lay around in the lovely room and it helps them be calmer amd more focussed to go back to lessons. The emphasis is on integration and they are encouraged to take part in as many lessons in the main school as possible. Lunch and playtimes are fully integrated but have the facilities for those who can't cope. I was really impressed and am going to phone in the morning to arrange to take Isaac for a visit.

 

The only problem I know I will have is the same everywhere. As he has mental health problems as well as the Aspergers, everyone keeps saying that they are not equipped to cope with his needs. The thing is, there are no schools for kids with mental health problems, only learning difficulties etc. At this rate no-one will take him. As he has such a complex disgnosis, schools are loathe to try as he doesn't fit neatly into one little box.

 

I do feel hopefull though. The SEN panel meet next thursday 8th and would like me to submit my wishes by then if possible. I have made it clear that I want him placed in non residential and will keep looking until I find somewhere suitable.

 

 

Could it be that once he recieves specialists support for his AS and other learning issues that his mental health may improve, from what you say about massage, and sensory room these would be very invaluable for children with both AS and mental health problems.

 

J has ODD as a result of his ADHD not been managed and supported effectively but once he was supported and understood his symptoms improved as well as his anxiety because we have made changes to support him.

 

I would really advise you to still look into this school and take issac to see what he thinks because once he has an enviroment that will meet his needs his mental health may improve as his self esteem and confidence are encouraged to develop throw feeling safe and secure in a learning enviroment.

 

You could also ask for outside agencies to still meet his mental health problems along side his education and I know that with many children with specail needs there is always going to be a real concern of mental health problem if our childrens needs are not met which is why so many are in the mental health system later on in life because bottom line there wasnt facilities like the ones you are describing for them when they where young.

 

It could be this enviroment could improve his mental health problems.

 

JsMum

[Kathryn]

I know it can be hard to believe but sometimes LEAs actually do think about the best interests of the child!!

 

In our case, once we had got through the initial agreement to assess for a Statement we had no problems at all with a residential placement. All the professionals involved in my son's case agreed that this was the best thing for him, and our Out of County Placements Officer was fantastic...she spent ages answering endless panicky phone calls from me, and the school my son went to was suggested by her.

 

We didn't have to go to tribunal for anything, and in fact the LEA let him start at his school with his papers following down later.

 

I do realise how lucky (unique??!! ) we were, but just sometimes an LEA can actually deliver!

 

Have to add, though, that it was my third attempt in 10 years to get a Statement, and things only happened when my son was reduced to a disgraceful state from struggling to cope with mainstream, so not all good by any means

 

Bid

 

I know you know this, Bid, but just for the record..

 

The same LEA totally failed my child, and continues to fail many many children with all kinds and level of special educational need.

 

Mention the name of our LEA to anyone experienced at IPSEA and they groan - they have the worst reputation.

 

Fairynormal, I hope you find the right place for your son.

 

K x

[Canopus]

The real question here is whether the LEA's/Professional interpretation is accurate, and whether they have fully investigated the resources that are available at local levels, and that's the tough decision I highlighted...

 

There certainly is a possibility of a misdiagnosis in the same way as my EP misdiagnosed me as having EBD although AS was unknown at the time and traditional autism was ruled out. Having Aspergers, Tourette's, OCD, severe anxiety, ADHD, motor learning difficulties and sensory inegration dysfunction makes Isaac a difficult case although understanding of these conditions is much better than in 1989. Maybe the LEA have overlooked local resources and institutions because he is a difficult case and jumped in straight with residential school. It is worth enquiring whether the LEA have throughly examined local resources or not. It is also worth having a private chat with the residential school to find out how well they understand the conditions and how supportive they really are. The LEA could have recommended an excellent school, but then again they could have recommended a dustbin.

[bid]

Oh Kathryn, I know <'> <'>

 

What is scary is that had you lived in my area of our LEA and had the same quadrant team as we did, your outcome might have been very different

 

It's truly appalling that two young people of the same age and out of school for very similar reasons can have two such completely different outcomes, all down to the personalities of the LEA officials leading the different area teams

 

I do sometimes wonder whether we were the token 'perfectly handled' case (going from no Statement to a Statement and a residential placement in 6 months)...maybe we get held up as an example of their good practice

 

Bid <'>

Edited February 2, 2007 by bid

[Canopus]

I find this intriguing. There are times when I wondered whether I went to the "wrong" primary school which resulted in me getting an EP who recommended a residential school. I lived in a large LEA and my EP only covered my town. There was nobody from my LEA who went to my residential school, but there were lots of kids who came from a few particular LEAs.

[madme]

I would recommend that you look at Gabbitas. The decision to send our son to such a school was hard. We knew however that he needed help with lots of areas and in particular maths. There are few schools that really specialise in such areas. We were lucky. He is now enjoying maths. He has some friends. He enjoys school. He too has ASD adhd and is reasonably clever. No school is perfect. I most certainly wasnt thinking of my nights out. To get him into this school we have made enormous personal sacrifices. I wish that I could afford nights out. I spend my evenings waiting to speak to my son!

[fairynormal]

I had a lengthy conversation with our case officer at the LEA today and we seem to be on the same side at last! She admitted to being a bit 'gob stuck' at the meeting at school last week when the medical team mentioned residential school. She says they only place in out of city boundaries residential settings where all other options have failed and that they have constant problems with doctors etc only looking at it from a medical point of view. In her opinion, they rarely look at the educational/emotional aspect and are too quick to suggest residential. I told her about the Risperidone and the upcoming psychotherapy and CBT and she agrees that it could all make a significant difference to his behaviour. His case is now not going to panel until 22nd of Feb, in which time I can visit other schools and give the risperidone a chance to kick in. I really do believe that if the meds work well (fingers crossed!) and he gets back into a settled routine of being at school, he will soon settle down again. She thinks that the school I visited yesterday could well be the most suitable and could end up being the one they name on his statement.

 

I guess I just visit the other schools and wait until 22nd.