High Functioning autism in 3 1/2 and private education

sunshune

Evening all

I wanted you pick your brains.

My little boy was diagnosed with HFA 2 weeks ago after pushing and pushing to have an assessment done because I noticed that his behaviour and character were somewhat different to that of his peers. He can count to over 200, read, spell very large words, is a wizz on the computer and likes playing the first 4 bars of the Blue Danube. He has been attending a private nursery for nearly 2 years as the schools in our catchment area are really bad. The nursery has a school attached where children can stay on until they are 11. We want him to stay on, money depending, which is part of the reason we decided not to have anymore children as we wouldn't be able to give him the best education.

Like most parents, i just want the best for my son, you wouldn't believe what I have had to go through with the 'professionals' to get as far as we have and it would tear me up inside if he was not allowed to fulfil his potential. He is such a bright boy and I really do not want him to regress.

Now that he has his diagnosis (we are not sure if he will be statmented) he will no doubt need 121 support in a classroom setting as at the moment you cannot have a conversation with him and he normally just makes comments or statements. My question is will he still be able to have support in a private school setting? I have made an appointment with the senco at the nursery, but to be honest i think i have put her nose out of joint because the nursery, nor medical staff picked up on his condition, they just thought I was over reacting. I have called parent partnership, National autistic society for advice but they are none the wiser as to how resources available to my son would differ in a private school setting.

Not sure if it makes any difference but I will be putting in a claim for DLA.

ANy help would be much appreciated

emg

In my experience it varies from school to school. Some independents are very supportive, others suffer from a lack of experience of ASD and an anxiety about how children with differing needs might impact on their results. Most will expect parents to pay for additional support although if an independent school is named in a statement then the local authority will fund the place (but to get an independent school named in a statement, the LEA have to agree that they cannot provide an appropriate placement within one of their schools - this can be quite tough to achieve). The other thing to be aware of is that often the independent schools have reduced access to services like Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Behaviour Specialists.

If I was in your position I would be looking at all the options available including state provision, independent specialist schools and independent mainstream schools. Sounds like you have a very unique little boy and he is going to benefit most from a school that can offer him a flexible approach to learning with staff who are familiar with working with children with high-functioning autism. You might find this in the school he is in but dont rule out looking at what the state schools can offer, they can sometimes be better resourced for children with special needs.

peachyprice

sunshune wrote: »

. My question is will he still be able to have support in a private school setting?

I don't think anyone but the school can answer that for you TBH.

While state schools have an obligation to SEN children, private schools do not Some just will not entertain a child with SEN, while others will embrace such a child.

LandyAndy

sunshune, where are you in the UK?

Nicki

When do you have to make a decision. You have a huge learning curve now about autism, your own child's learning style, and the different approaches the schools can offer. It isn't a case of private being better than state, you need to find the school which suits your child best and can offer him the best support, and to do that you need to know what support he needs. It helps that you can afford either.

DLA and statementing are independent of each other and a decision on one has no bearing on the other. You won't automatically get DLA because he has a HFA diagnosis, most kids with this diagnosis don't. Not all kids with a diagnosis get a statement either, so be prepared to fight hard.

What we do, if this helps, is to send our very profoundly autistic child to an excellent state special school for children with autism, and pay privately for the additional things we think will help her such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, etc. At one stage we were paying as much for these add ons as you would pay for fees for a private school (ie over £20k per year). However our childs needs are obviously different to yours and we were lucky to have one of the top state schools for autism right on our doorstep.

LandyAndy

OP I pm'd you.

sunshune

emg wrote: »

In my experience it varies from school to school. Some independents are very supportive, others suffer from a lack of experience of ASD and an anxiety about how children with differing needs might impact on their results. Most will expect parents to pay for additional support although if an independent school is named in a statement then the local authority will fund the place (but to get an independent school named in a statement, the LEA have to agree that they cannot provide an appropriate placement within one of their schools - this can be quite tough to achieve). The other thing to be aware of is that often the independent schools have reduced access to services like Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Behaviour Specialists.

If I was in your position I would be looking at all the options available including state provision, independent specialist schools and independent mainstream schools. Sounds like you have a very unique little boy and he is going to benefit most from a school that can offer him a flexible approach to learning with staff who are familiar with working with children with high-functioning autism. You might find this in the school he is in but dont rule out looking at what the state schools can offer, they can sometimes be better resourced for children with special needs.

Thanks for this

I was speaking to my sons teacher today and I found out that at the school they have portage workers on hand and one or two teachers who have knowledge and experience of asd. So this is encouraging. The reason why I want to push for this school is because they have started on phonics, reading writing very early since my son was 3 and the school has had good reviews in regards to catering to childrens needs if they are bright( not sure about asd needs) which is something I need to find out. Also my son would get swallowed up in a larger class as he doesn't do too well with large groups of children. On Saturday he went to a children's party but there were 2 other parties going on at the same time in the venue so there were about 30 children around. He completely switched off wouldn't pay attention or listen to the face painting woman and wanted to runoff. I know this is a slight different setting to a school environment but i have seen him like this before with crowds of children.

sunshune

Sorry I am trying to reply to each of your comments but my pc is playing up so my last comment was incomplete.

Emg. meant to ask, how difficult is it to have a private school named on the statement what would I have to do?
What do you mean by independent mainstream school?

Peach- as my son has been at the school for nearly two years now that he has a diagnosis would they just reject him? I know hard question to answer I just wanted to ask?

Nick- thanks for this. I understand what you are saying but right now I don't think putting my son in a special school is necessary, he is social, affectionate very vocal and likes to play with his peers.

I have considered putting him in for 5 half days at his current and using the remaining time paying for aba therapy I do this with him at home but do not have as much time now that I started a new job 2 weeks go.

Can I ask which part of the country you live in as you said you have one of the best schools for autistic children in the country, should we decide to go down this route?

Have you considered horse riding for your children? I have read that this does wonders for asd children. My boy is too young but he will start when he is 5.

Landy-I am based in Bedfordshire

sunshune

Also does anyone have any experience with a asd child receiving a scholarship? There were talks months back that my on may be eligible for a part scholarship but now he has the diagnosis I'm not sure what will happen.

Nicki- Oh my son is 3 1/2 and will start reception sept 2012. I don't know when I have to Jake a decision

emg

sunshune wrote: »

Sorry I am trying to reply to each of your comments but my pc is playing up so my last comment was incomplete.

Emg. meant to ask, how difficult is it to have a private school named on the statement what would I have to do?
What do you mean by independent mainstream school?

To get a private school named in a statement you would firstly need to get the statement and then if, as is most likely, the LEA have named a state school you would need to appeal (go to 'tribunal') and have evidence that the state school would not meet your child's needs and that the private school would (usually involves getting reports from independent professionals). It's not enough for the private school to be 'better' - the LEA dont have to provide gold standard provision, they just have to show that the child's needs (as documented in the statement) can be met in their setting.

I just mean an independent school that caters for 'mainstream' children, like the school your child is currently in. There are also independent specialist schools that cater specifically for children with ASD or other types of learning needs. For example, near me there is an independent school that specialises in Aspergers/HFA/language disorder.

Nicki

Hi sunshine

I am in London. I didn't specifically mean you should consider a special school for your child, more that you could have him in a good state school, and use the money you would have spent on private education on add ons instead.

Yes my DD also rides, with the school, and absolutely loves it. Due to the severity of her needs we haven't found anywhere we can take her privately to ride, and the place the school uses doesn't do private lessons sadly, but when she does get a chance she loves it, and she also loves being close to most animals.