Mainstream vs special school

[silverfrog]

dd1 is 3.4 (has ASD), and should be going into reception next Sept. Dh and I have been touring schools to try to get a picture of what is expected of her. It is becoming increasingly obvious to us that it is not the best thing for dd1 to go into mainstream.

Dd1's Early Years Senco has always seemed quite good, and full of advice, but lately I have been wondering whether she is telling us what she thinks we want ot hear rather than what the truth is IYKWIM. So we ask (and have been asking for the last year or so) whether mainstream is right for dd1 (after all, who else do we ask?) and I think she has taken from this that we want mainstream for dd1 and so in her words "it is possible for dd1 to be supported in mainstream".

I know dd1 will cope in mainstream, but that is all she will do, in all liklihood - she will not realy progress much. She is currently at a mainstream pre-school 3 mornings a week, and has a 1-to-1, and is not progressing well there.

What are our rights with respect to getting a special school place? all the info I can find keeps saying the same as the Senco - if we want mainstream, we have a right to it. But no-one is mentioning the alternatives to us.

We are about to start the statementing process (yet another thing to rant about - Senco has been muttering about it for ages, but not really ever getting round to tlaking about it fully, and now it is unlikely to be in place before she is due to start school - yes I know we should get it together and do it ourselves, but I have been rather naively assuming that the senco might be on top of htings date wise) - do we need the statement completely in place before we even apply to special schools?

It's all such a minefield...

[scoggins]

Special schools only take children with statements in my local area so getting a statement is the thing to do first, once that has happened you are within your rights as parents to name any school you choose for your child, special or mainstream. Have you looked at special schools in your area? DO you think your child's education would be best served there - judging by what you see?
SENCO should give you an honest answer to your question
As a SENCO myself I always say to parents that they should consider special school (for secondary) of I believe the child would do better there. Of course it is up to the parents to decide which avenue they wish to persue.
Good luck

[TotalChaos]

In my area it's not a case of applying directly to a special school, but more a case of a pre-school panel related to the early years service for kids with special needs looking at appropriate school placements. Might be worth you speaking to a local branch of NAS to see what the usual system/position is locally for getting a place at special school - or there maybe a unit for ASD kids at a mainstream school.

[pagwatch]

It is also worth rememberingthat special schools tend to be much more expensice for the LEA so ( aside from issues based on views/ ethics etc) there may be strong efforts made to encourage mainstream.

When my son left his pre school specificly for kids with ASD and in his year half the children did not have a place to go to because the special school places were full.
You need a statement and you need to express a preference for a oarticular school and you then need those attendingthe placement panel to agree that only that school will meet your childs needs.
It is a nightmare frankly.
My son has just secured his place at ASD school for secondary - thank god . He could not function in mainstream

[magso]

First you need to get the statementing process underway. You may need to first gather evidence to support a letter of request for a statutary assessment. You (or the senco) need to get this request in very soon!
I get the impression that LEAS would rather every child 'managed' in ms and um 'lean on staff' (senco/ head/ ed psych!)to present a united front on this policy. You may need to read between the lines of advice given!
I would start looking at special schools or units (even if you decide for ms) so that when the statement is issued at the draft stage you already know what you think best for your dd and dont have to rush about.
Good luck!

[onlyjoking9329]

i think you should start the ball rolling yourself for a statement ASAP you do not have to wait for anyone else to do this. DS {ASD}had his statement for his 3rd birthday, DDs {twins ASD}are three years older so we were not as clued up so they didn't get there statement until they were 5.
the girls have been in SN school since they were 5 they are now 13. DS went to an ASD nursery at 3-5 then to mainstream, he has just transfered to SN aged 10.

[aquariusmum]

They will fob you off for years to try and avoid giving out a statement - you need to send a letter to the Head of SEN at your LEA (it will be in the phone book or ring their switchboard) - it needs to say

I am writing to request a statutory assessment of my DC for special educational needs under the 1996 Education Act"

That is then a legal request and sets a process in motion that they can no longer delay. I know this because I got fobbed off for a year and only found out too late that they are legally obliged to do NOTHING until you submit this letter!

Put a bit in the letter about your DC, and make it worst case scenario.

It is ironic that I am fighting to keep my DS in mainstream, yet if I'd asked for special school I'd probably have a fight also - seems they want to make us run rings whichever way we choose! Good luck!

[magso]

I found the information on www.ace-ed.org.uk (go to the getting the statement right booklet) very useful when applying for a statement. www.ipsea.org.uk has lots of useful information and model letters to use. Network81 (0870 770 3306) and the nas have helplines.

[dgeorgea]

Just to add with the reduction in special schools and therefore places it can be difficult to get a place.

If this ends up being the case you will need to argue why the local school, or school you are allocated to cannot meet your child's needs and the special school will.

Do visit any local special schools if you haven't done so already so you know which school you want your child to go to.

Magso has given the organisations out there to help you and will be able to advise you.

Good luck

[ChristmastimeMILGEstoeandwine]

My dd has just started in a special school for ASD. We started the statement off in October, by writing to education dept of LEA requesting statutory assessment. This then went to a panel to recommend placement, and our views were very much taken into account. Her statement was in place by June( you need to push and nag and ring up all the time to make sure your child is in the top of their mind all the time). She is happy in her special school and we are v pleased she is not being ignored in mainstream. Good luck and get the ball rolling yourself.

[magso]

We started the statement process off a year ago (Ds 7 just) after organising all the professionals and collecting evidence (so we would be taken seriously and not turned down). The Senco had always maintained he would not get a statement,- the reason the first set of application was not sent off by senco at age 4.5.- and I did not realise I could apply as a parent. The statement was produced in July, change to special school approved and place offered last day of term ready to change in september! Ds is much happier and calmer and is making progress at last. He had minimal support in ms and was achieving at a lower level at age 7 than starting school at 4.5. Attending ms allowed contact with local village children, which might have been harder if he had gone straight to special. So if I could cherry pick and live near a ms that could fully support an asd/sld child (note the 'fully' few can!) I think that is what I might choose.
The most significant turning point to a very difficult 3 years was realising I had the right to apply for the statement myself! Good luck.