Fees for autistic son for independent school

jjuggle

Hi,
My son is 5 and has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. He has a Statement of Special Education Needs and currently attends a mainstream school. Basically, I would love to send him to an local independent special school but it costs 6k per year. I have spoken to my Education Authority and they assure me that they cannot contribute to private fees with taxpayers money, it's a long-shot but I was wondering if there are any charities or anywhere I could apply for funding?
Thanks
J

oops_a_daisy

yes there are grants available. I have been trying to get a grant for my DD however she is not eligible because she is not dis advantaged or disabled. I think we just googled educational grants and also your local library may have a book on grants available ( it is normally reference only though ). I found LEA's useless.

Try here for starters

sorry just to add - I take it you have tried the school concerned for a scholarship / bursary ?

inkie

sorry just to add - I take it you have tried the school concerned for a scholarship / bursary ?

I didn't think that these were available at infant age - and most often available to the highest acheivers in a competative entrance exam at a selective school.

Zara33

I'm slighty curious are you hoping that a charity will pay for your son's fees all the time?

I think tbh you will find this very difficult, if your son is in mainstream school then the LEA do not think your child is to severe to attend a specialist school, and the LEA have provided a statement for your child.

Savvy_Sue

The LEA may pay for a private school IF the child has a statement naming that school as the most appropriate provision. Needless to say, LEAs will do everything in their power to avoid that ...

jjuggle

Thanks for the replies.

The independent special school concerned doesn't offer any scholarship/bursary as it's for children with special needs so it doesn't apply.

In response to Zara 33, I'm not expecting a charity to pay these fees all the time but it would be a great help to get some assistance, I would contribute as much as I can.

Although my son is in a mainstream school and he isn't at the extremely severe end of the autistic spectrum, he is struggling and the school openly admits that they aren't meeting his needs. At 5 years old that doesn't really concern me but by the time he is 8 or 9 the gulf between him and his peers will be huge, i.e. yes he is attending a mainstream school but not being educated.

I feel he has a lot of potential, he is vocal, he is good at letters and numbers, loves computers and with the right support, direction and encouragement he could learn a lot but it just won't happen at mainstream school. I will try to get the private school named on his statement but it won't mean the LEA will pay.

Of course, I'm going to win the lottery, hopefully before he is 6!!

Thanks
J

Hapless_2

Zara33 wrote: »

I'm slighty curious are you hoping that a charity will pay for your son's fees all the time?
I think tbh you will find this very difficult, if your son is in mainstream school then the LEA do not think your child is to severe to attend a specialist school, and the LEA have provided a statement for your child.

Since when have LEAs had any idea of the needs of autistic children? Autism has such a wide spectrum from mild aspergers, through Kanners to the most severe.
The son is probably in mainstream school because schools have to have their "quota" of special needs children. Intergration is not the best method for educating all children. Autistic children can be demanding, have socialising problems, be unable to misunderstand facial expressions, use language inappropriately, react inappropriately to a situation. Some have extreme OCD, some will not establish eye contact, some may have unexpected violent outburts. The list is not usual for all on the spectrum but it is not exhaustable.

The school admits they are not meeting his needs, i.e. they are failing him.
You can have 20 Autistic children in a school and each of them would have varying needs.

i.e. yes he is attending a mainstream school but not being educated.

yup but you are unable to sue the school if they fail to educate him as it is the Parents responsibility to ensure their children are educated to their age, aptitude and ability, taking account of any special needs the child may have.
It's always about the money, not what is best for the child as far as government departments are concerned.
Try contacting the National Autistic Society, see if they have any help available.


*btw, 2 severely autistic cousins and 2 children with strong asperger traits*

Zara33

*BTW, 1 autistic son :rolleyes:

Miss_Scarlett

I would personally contact the children with disabilities team at social services and get them on board. His statement should be reviewed if the current school aren't meeting his needs. The LEA will have to offer a suitable place in a specialist school, be it local authority or private. I have 3 kids with fragile x syndrome, 1 has severe autism too.

silvercar

Hapless wrote:

but you are unable to sue the school if they fail to educate him as it is the Parents responsibility to ensure their children are educated to their age, aptitude and ability, taking account of any special needs the child may have.
It's always about the money, not what is best for the child as far as government departments are concerned.

It's always about the money as far as parents are concerned; if they can't afford it they can't afford it. Its not just government departments that have spending restrictions.

Savvy_Sue

OK, if the school admits they are not meeting the child's needs, then you may need IPSEA as well as the NAS. Doesn't guarantee that your child will get a place at this private school, but may get a more suitable option named.