Hiya

There are a few schools in our area but the one we are hoping for is for all special needs but also has a specialist autism block. I just wonder how many chldren there will be as young as my daughter because despite all my efforts I haven't met any locally. I wouldn't want her in a group where she was much younger than everyone else. I've never heard of parent partnership, I'll have a look into that thanks.

No the statement process is seperate. You need to speak to nursery or you can do it yourself. Took about 6 months for us to get it. Once we had it we applied to the school and luckily had places. Have you looked at many schools? Is the one near you for all special needs. Are their teachers who are experienced in ASD. We could of sent Lewis to a school that took children with all special needs but we felt he needed more specialised help and the school we take him to is fab it's just for children who have autism. He is doing great still non verbal but so intelligent. Parent partnership can help with schools if you haven't spoke to them already. 

Thanks for sharing. Preston is very near us and I've seen lots of ASD specific activities advertised for the area but I agree the play sessions are always far to late in the day.

I was under the impression that you got a statement along with a diagnosis but it seems this isn't the case. Would it be nursery who applies for the statement? and how long did the statement process take. We have a lovely special school near us which takes children from 3 years. I'm keen to get my daughter started their because currently at nursery she isn't developing. Once you had your statement was it easy to get in the special school?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

How's Lewis doing now?

Hi Lewis was diagnosed when he was 2 1/2 after concerns he was not talking so HV referred us to community pead who spoke to us and got his history etc. then he had an ADOS exam which gave the diagnosis of ASD. Think it took 6 months to get it. We also had portage which were great then through Lewis pre school we started the statement process and managed to get one and he started school when he was 3 (Autistic school) he's been there a year now and loves it. Everything is done through school ie salt now. UnfortunTely groups are very hard to come by esp for this age group or they are not local and too late in the evening. I'm in Preston so don't know what is in your area. I have met some lovely parents at Lewis school but no one local. 

Thanks. We've just moved to Rossendale in Lancashire and I've found it impossible to find any parents with child with an ASD nevermind a child anywhere near as young as ours. I guess I really wanted to know how long your assessment process took and what happened following assessment. 

We started the process when my daughter was 18 months and now she approaching 3 and very little has happened for us. We had one SALT session which was an initial assessment and we were told following that, that SAL in our area don't provide ongoing therapy. We reffered ourselves to the portage service who have been a great support. There is a CDC meeting planned for October this year. Not really sure what to expect from this meeting. Would you ming sharing your experience also if you know of any good play venues local to Rossendale that would be great too.

Thanks for your response.

Hi there no I don't mind at all. It's lucky I saw your post I must of subscribed to the post lol so got an email. Amanda

hi calagas,

I know it's some time since this post was started but I'm finding it so difficult to find lancashire parents with pre school ASD children, that I thought I'd try. I have a daughter with an ASD she is coming up to 3 years old. I wondered if I could ask you a few questions regarding how things worked for you, as I see you also got a diagnosis very early.

hi - my son was non verbal at that age, although he could understand a number of words + phrases + liked numbers.  He said a short phrase when he was 5, at school.  Although his pronunciation was poor the speech therapist was v helpful + he hasn't shut up since! He always had a good sense of humour + was + still is a practical person.

He's not doing to bad. He is non verbal but just started using PECS. He is quite placid and very loving.

h- welcome to the site.  How's your younger son doing?

welcome Calagas