special school

[LKU]

Hi all,it seems likely that my child will be going to a special school in sept/oct if his statement comes through,the school is classed as an MLD school or moderate learning difficulties.As you all know asd kids are quite often of average to above average intelligence.My son has no learning difficulties and is very bright.

I think this school would meet all his needs but do you think he would fit in?

If anyone has a child in a special school like this i'd really love to know if it has worked out well or not.My instinct tells me it would be great for him but I just want to be sure.I will be going to view the school soon but your advice and experience would really be appreciated.

[Rabbit]

We are in EXACTLY the same position. I am so worried that the school appears to be fine to us but how will J settle there?

 

Have you asked if your son can go for a few sessions to see how he gets on? We are currently home educating J because he could not cope in mainstream even with support. J goes to his special school on Friday afternoons for 2 hours....its social time so the kids are free to move around the classroom and generally mix with one another.

J really enjoys his sessions....maybe you could try a few before the end of school year so at least your son has a chance to meet up with some of his class mates.

 

I worry because J is higher functioning than the rest of the children in the class....even though he has learning difficulties and is currently working 4 years behind his chronological age. His understanding is OKish....he cant read or write YET and has no concept of time, math etc.

 

 

Im sure he will be fine but I still have an uneasy feeling that it is the right place for him. The school is perfect in everyway....the teacher fantastic....I fought the LEA to get a placement at the school for J....and now Im unsure!!!!!!

 

Why? I dont know!!!!!!!!

 

[mossgrove]

We re in exactly the same position too, awaiting placement for September.

 

Our son (7, aspergers) is very bright (98th percentile on maths and english when tested last year) but utterly unable to cope in mainstream.

 

The school where we think he is likely to be placed is a school where most of the children are academically significantly less able. This appears to be a side-effect of an LEA policy that academically capable autistic children should be educated in mainstream with support, you have to really fight to get your child into special provision.

 

The way we look at it is this: If he is remotely as stressed as he is now, by next year he won't be learning anything at all if he stays where he is. The goals for next year are to reduce his stress levels to a point where school is no longer a massively negative experience for him, rebuild his self-esteeem and teach him some social skills/coping strategies. For the moment, rapid academic progress is a 'nice to have', rather than being essential.

 

The school say they will be able to do some additional academic work with him if he outstrips the others. We are also happy to do some extra work at home if it is needed. Hi self-esteem is so low at the moment that I can't help thinking having a year of being the cleverest in his class is exactly what he needs.

 

I think sometimes it is possible to look too far ahead. For the next year at least, if we get this placement things will be moving massively in the right direction, and that is something we have not been able to say for a while.

 

Simon

[Guest flutter]

we at the mo are assuming we are going to local church high school with only about 20 in class,

but all of these things you have mentioned scare the heck outa me, M always seem to the school to cope and then i get it all at home.

I dont think we actually have any schools in our area where she can get the specailist help she may need.

[helenl53]

Hello All,

 

I think that if it is written into the Statement of Special Educational Needs thus:-

 

There should be mention of the academic ability as a strength at part 2

 

"Doodah to continue to make progress across the curriculum in line with his underlying abilities" (at part 3)

 

Other buzz words for the statement - able to demonstrate his true abilities (in the objectives part)

 

 

I think that if it is written into the statement as a positive that needs to be addressed at some time, then it may happen

 

Hope this helps.

 

Best wishes

 

Helen

 

PS - When I have asked a special schools for my son, they have always maintained that they are not able to meet his academic needs. I have recently discovered that this is not necessarily the case - I think support for this aspect can be bought in!

[oracle]

I have a friend whose son became more and more distressed in his mainstream placement. His Mum faught to get him a place in their MDL school, but also worried that her son, who was as bright as a button and would not be in the correct place. She decided to change schools and take a chance and her son has never looked back.

 

He had been so stressed and his mental was in a terrible state. The change over took away the anxiety and the stress and after a very short space of time her son was happy and loves school. This impacted on the whole family.

 

Of course because it worked for her does not mean it works for everyone - but what are the choices here? There are few ASD specific placements, which is really what is needed, so parents are left having to decided if a move to a Special School is the right one. If it's not working where the child is it's probably worth a try. Again not the best way to decide but what else can you do?

 

Carole

[bid]

Hi LKU

 

My son is 15 and started at a special residential school for AS in November. It has been fantastic and he loves it. He is exceptionally bright, and for the first time he is actually able to fulfil his potential

 

But, this isn't an LEA local special school. It's an independent special school out of county that the LEA part funds with SS.

 

I think most local LEA special schools are MLD or SLD.

 

Have you thought about investigating independent special schools for AS and associated special needs...there are quite a lot of them out there, some day and some residential/day. The Gabbittas website has many to look at, and their Handbook lists all(?) special schools in the UK, both LEA and independent.

 

Good luck!

 

Bid

Edited March 24, 2005 by bid

[LKU]

Thanks everyone I feel much clearer about this now.You have all felt the same worries and concerns so I know I'm not alone.

I think it was mossgrove who said about academic progress just being a bonus,the self esteem thing and mental happiness being priorities,and being the cleverest in the class doing the world of good,I have thought exactly the same things myself so couldn't agree more.

The postman has just delivered the form for parental views for the statutory assessment.I have been assured by the lea that the assessment is definitly going ahead.

I have to put it in writing today for school that I am going to home educate rather than have a managed transfer.I am only doing this for a term,again I have been assured by the lea that something will be put in place for sept/oct.Any advice about all this is welcome!!

[LKU]

thanks bid,thats really interesting to know,I'll look into it.

[denise2]

Do you have a web address for the Gabbittas website please?

 

Many Thanks

 

Denise2

[bid]

If you go to www.oaasis.co.uk there is a lot of info about schools and a link to the Gabbittas site.

 

Sorry, I can't do direct links

 

Bid

[nellie]

Denise,

 

This is the website for Gabbitas. http://www.gabbitas.co.uk/

 

Nellie xx

[Kazzen161]

I agree that an unhappy, stressed child will learn nothing , but why should we have to choose between having a happy child and one educated at the appropriate level?

 

I agree, definitely look at independent specialist schools.

 

 

 

Karen

[katkin]

I have just finished working at an mld school and the range of abilities was, as in all schools,tremendous. Any teacher worthy of their job description will differentiate work according to the children's ability. But what I did find in mld was excellent behaviour stategies and guidelines in place that all staff and children can follow. If state education is the only option for you I would look for a school where the child can be happy and behaviour can be managed appropriately; without all those "little talks to mum on the playground" after school, "can I have a word dear" conversations. If behviour is ok learning will happen, nobody can learn if they're rolling around around on the floor. Stress on the parents will impact too. Have a look at the school and voice your concerns about the level he will be expected to work at. School should have an answer for you. Sometimes it's great to be the best in the class - could be a way of raising self-esteem. Though the school I was at was very good , others may differ. Love Kat

[Kazzen161]

When I was looking at schools for T at age 11, he was already working at well above the level the mld schools achieved at 16 (looking at KS results).

 

I was told by two mld Head's that my child should not go there. They only offered Art GCSE (and T doesn't like art anyway). His current independent school offers 6 GCSE's and some offer the full range. One of them was a lovely school, and could have dealt with his behaviour and social needs well.

 

It is also good to ask the school's where they expect their 16 year olds to go/do - I was told they either go to a community home or pack bags in the supermarket. My son wants to be a plumber or tree surgeon.

 

Karen

[Minxygal]

We had similar concerns about our son when a special school was suggested. He is really intelligant and we worried he would be bored and stand out.

 

Actually he did great and really enjoyed being at the top end of the class for once. It did wonders for his confidence.

 

Incidentally, he is now in a school for much more severe disabilites and even there the work is very well differentiated to meet his needs. I wouldn't be overly concerned if I were you.