Help or advice on schools

[Liz01]

I accidentally posted this elsewhere too - sorry my first time of using this website.

 

I have never posted on here before, but I have read many of the forums. I just really wanted some advice or information.

My son is 8 - nearly 9 and is about to go into year 4. He has Asperegers/high functioning Autism plus he has low muscle tone and is not very physical in any way. He is in a mainstream school and does ok academically, but he does not mix very well and as he is not sporty that does not seem to help either. He is quite big for his age and so looks older and does also suffer for this because people expect more from him than any normal boy his age, but he can not perform at his own age, let alone older! He is statemented and has an LSA for almost the whole day every day. He says he does have friends but he then names the whole class....but he doesnt have any specific friends. He has been with the same children since reception year but they are now at an age where they realise he is not 'normal', and whereas the school has always told me that the children in his class just accept him, I have noticed that they are now starting to laugh at him and ridicule him. In general, children do laugh and ridicule him - he is quite loud and screams and shouts at people if things dont go his way - so he is a natural target really....but as you all know its heartbreaking to witness.

He simply does not unserstand what is the right way to act. We have brought his statement review forward to the end of September and the EP is going to attend too. What I really need to know is what does everyone consider the best option for someone with AS who can cope (with the extra help) academically, but not socially. What is the best decision to make? Should we allow to carry on in mainstream school but become more and more alienated from everyone? Or should we move him to another school and run the risk of upsetting him, and would it set it him back? Would being with children who are possibly affected by autism more, set him back? We know he wouldnt be 'different' anymore, but would he gain from this or should he be the one who has to try and fit in?

There are so many questions .

Also - does anyone know of any schools in the Surrey/Spelthorne area, that cater for AS or Autism and social and communication skills in particular as I dont seem to be able to find out the names of any.

Any advice or info would be great

thanks

[bevalee]

Hi

 

Try Gabbitas if you are looking for a school especially for as, the link is;

 

www.gabbitas.co.uk

 

or the Surrey NAS have a good listing for special schools:

 

www.mugsy.org

 

My son did really well in mainstream but when he went into year 7 every thing just snowballed. He now attends in independant AS school which is really fantastic.

 

I hope you find what you are looking for.

[bid]

Hi

 

Bevalee has given you some very good advice.

 

My son goes to the same residential special school for AS as her son. He struggled through mainstream until year 10, without a Statement...until he finally had a breakdown and came out of school for 6 months when I got his Statement and his school place.

 

If you PM me I can give you details of his school, which starts from 11.

 

Bid

[Suze]

Hi Liz and welcome.There are stratergies the school could undertake to make life alot more pleasant for your son.Circle time could be used to talk about differences/difficulties that others have, to explain we are not all the same , etc etc.This has been implemented for my son although one boy in particular still takes great pleasure in provoking him. An older child/mentor may help in the playground situations one that is mature enough to understand your son. The autism team helped to put in place alot of ideas.Is there such a team in your area,it may help to have someone like this at your meeting as they will fully understand the problems. Whatever happens I would also request another meeting around christmas to see if any stratergies have helped and too push for a different placement if this is needed. I have found the older my son gets the more apparent his ASD/AS is ....he goes to HS in 2006 and I,m dreading it .Good luck

[Liz01]

thanks to everyone for the info - Liz

[nellie]

Hi Liz,

 

Have you had a look at the NAS resource site? It gives lists of schools.

 

Public Autism Resource & Information Service

PARIS NAS Information Service

http://www.info.autism.org.uk/Pages/Index.aspx

 

Nellie xx