Mainstream or Specialist school

Hi there, my husband and I are parents to our 6 year old daughter who has been diagnosed with autism and has development delay.

She currently attends a mainstream primary school and has an EHCP (since the last year of nursery).

We are at a stage where we are considering what is best for her future education and wellbeing, she does attend the mainstream school well and has been settled in her class with the other children, teachers and her TA.  The issue is whether she is meeting targets set in her EHCP, she seems to be making some progress but not enough to meet the initial targets set.   These had been changed by the schools SENCO.  

I feel that we are a point where we have to make a decision on what is best for our child going forward, as much as she is happy going to school and the staff and kids are really good with her I am not sure she is progressing with basic skills and looking to the future, is she going to get left behind?  She also does not have any friends that she can talk too, she is verbal but struggles to respond to others and cannot have a conversation.  

Has any one else had this same problem deciding on mainstream or a special school?

I would appreciate any advice or tips on this.

Thanks x

Parents
  • My cousin was in a similar position to that you describe for his child, other than the EHCP targets were not being met consistently.   

    They ultimately came down in favour of special school provision because the fear was that the gulf would likely widen as the years progressed, as other children would likely make likely groupings based upon recognition & familiarity if nothing else.   

    I think they thought that (isolation) could be better managed where everyone was experiencing it to a certain extent, and steps would more likely be taken to remedy the issue. 

    It seems slightly unfair to attempt to sway you either way though, but it is important to remember that if you do attain a place at a special school, and things get difficult down the line, such a school has far more restrictive policies when it comes to exclusions on any grounds. 

    I'd try and arrange a visit...




  • Thank you for that info. It is really hard as anyone I speak has a different opinion on it, ultimately it is up to us to make a decision but it's good that we be well informed and visit the special school beforehand. 

Reply Children
No Data