Jadzia Dax Report post Posted March 1, 2010 Hi sorry,haven't posted for some time things have been a bit hectic for various reasons but we are now thinking of moving. Does anyone live in Bath/Somerset? What are ASD services and support like? I'm thinking about my 10yrs old Daughter and her long term options (currently at Severe,complex and profound Special school). I've seen some information on an NAS/Local Authority supported living scheme in Bath does anyone have any experience of this? My son is 12 and at Grammar School but has no friends, he doesn't really 'fit into' the local community and is too high functioning for many of the 'special' activities in the area. I'm hoping he will go to University so does anyone have experience of support for youing people with Aspergers living in the area (both at University and in the local community)? Any advice/suggestions would be great thanks Jadzia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KezT Report post Posted March 1, 2010 I'm in North Somerset - no ASD specific schools here at all, although the generic special schools seem to have good reputations with the parents I have spoken to. Child social services are dire (IMO), although NAS have a good presence and ASD provision within the health service seem averagely good. If you are looking to move for ASD provision, I wouldn't suggest NS, although I love living here;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Annea Report post Posted March 6, 2010 My daughter with A/S boards at a priory Asperger school in Frome which is in somerset. They also have day pupils. Quite a few of their pupils come from the locality which would suggest to me that there is not a lot of local provision? Other wise why would the LEA's be placing children privately? Might daughter is aiming at university too, so not sure if a school like this would be ideal? Just a case of getting them in.... I had to fight a long hard fight although some of her friends of that area got in quite easily. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jadzia Dax Report post Posted March 6, 2010 Thank you, are either of you close to Bath/Bristol? I've found some information on the Fosse Way special school which seems to specialise in ASD and provide support to all the local schools including I've been told a youth club. There is also a boys Secondary School called Beechen Cliff School which sounds ( looked online & I also spoke to SEN manager) similar to my sons Grammar School. ASD provision/support is poor/patchy in Kent so maybe I'm going to find the same thing in other Counties? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekster Report post Posted March 6, 2010 Im also in North Somerset but i lived in Bath temporarily when i was at bath spa uni. i highly recommend the newton park campus. There are out of schools clubs, a parents group and an adult autistic social group. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jadzia Dax Report post Posted March 6, 2010 Thanks,Trekster. Do you know what areas (roughly) are North Somerset rather than Bath, my geography is not good and as yet I don't really know this part of the UK at all. Living in this part of the UK would mean we were closer to family in North Devon and South Wales and may be able to see them more often as they have all now moved out of Kent for various reasons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jo4themo Report post Posted March 7, 2010 I live in South Somerset and my daughter (age 11 with AS) goes to Fairmead Special school in Yeovil where the pupils have moderate learning difficulties and many are on the autistic spectrum. She has been there for nearly 4 years now and is doing fine there, both academically and socially. It is for children age 4-16, the primary age children are split into three classes depending on age and the secondary children are in 4 different classes. The primary and secondary areas are seperate and they have different playtimes, although they all eat lunch together. The school has an ASD support group that meets every three weeks (I think) although I don't attend at the moment as we live 10 miles away and I do not drive so not only would I have to pay for a babysitter (my husband works late shifts) but also a bus fare. There is also an outreach group in High Ham (about 5 miles away) that meets reguarly. Hope this helps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KezT Report post Posted March 8, 2010 (edited) Thanks,Trekster. Do you know what areas (roughly) are North Somerset rather than Bath, my geography is not good and as yet I don't really know this part of the UK at all. Living in this part of the UK would mean we were closer to family in North Devon and South Wales and may be able to see them more often as they have all now moved out of Kent for various reasons. (can you see the map? my computer won't show it, but I can't work out why........) North Somerset is closest to Wales Somerset is closest to North Devon Bath isn't really very close to anything LOL It is also very expensive! but pretty. It is an extremely big county (which is why it is split) and takes several hours to cross by car. Edited March 8, 2010 by KezT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
minerva Report post Posted March 8, 2010 I had a long hard battle getting my son any education, it was a few years back though so not sure if the provision has improved at all. We live in Bristol but on the outskirts in between Bath & Bristol. If you can get him into one of the Priory schools in Frome it is worth the battle. Although still nowhere near perfecton! My daughter with A/S boards at a priory Asperger school in Frome which is in somerset. Is it Farleigh or North Hill House? My son attends Farleigh as a day pupil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites