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4 year old diagnosed last year....where to start

Tibbs87

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hello!

Our little boy was diagnosed last year aged 4. I'll start with saying he is the most fantastic little boy. He has little speech and that what he does have is often unclear. 

He is currently in mainstream school, however we had his annual review this week and the school have advised looking at a different placement. I can't fault the school at all for what they've tried with him, the communication from them and the ongoing support. But I totally agree with the move. He has a lot of support hours at school, but we all agree he just doesn't learn like the other kids. His memory is fantastic, puzzle skills (like jigsaws) have been surpassing his age group - it just seems his potential needs unlocking. While the other children in his class are sitting and listening, he just seems so withdrawn and uninterested, but put the drum kit in front of him and he's like a different kid. 

He is our only child and him starting school was daunting enough, but now the potential move to another school I feel a little mixed. I feel the same nervousness as when he started his last school, but it's also mixed with excitement. We might hopefully find the place that he'll learn in his way. 

I'm not really sure what I've come into the forum for, not really any advice (at the minute!), but just maybe for a sense of community and understanding. He loves different activities, however they seem quite one-to-one based. He started martial arts a few weeks back, which really is a place for him to run around, but he is slowly reacting to the teacher (who I must admit is brilliant with him and he is starting to say her name). 

I just feel like theres nothing out there. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but I just think support wise, we're maybe a little lost. We have great support when it comes to family and his school, but just maybe with us as parents. We are very open with our sons diagnosis and when talking to people about him, I always have that huge sense of feeling so proud of him.

I think I'm just rambling now! I have no idea if I've made sense, but I'm so happy to have joined the community.

Parents

  • It sounds like there are lots of positives in your situation. I suppose the main thing is what kind of placement/school are they recommending? 

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Just before we had our review, the school had mentioned that he would need to go to a school that would specialise in ASD etc. 

    They've left it up to us to have a look around and we have found a few different ones.

    When it came to his meeting, when they asked if we had researched anywhere, we mentioned a school that has both mainstream and a specialist department that caters for primary aged children with ASD. All three of the staff at the meeting agreed and it would be a great opportunity if he got in, but for us to ask for a visit. 

    He wouldn't need to be in a residential setting, which I think one of the schools offers, but they have advised he needs a school with more resources, including things he enjoys (like music rooms, sensory rooms and maybe even a trampolining room (he has physical stims that occur when he's happy). 

    He does use some Makaton sign at school and picks it up quickly. 

    I think as parent's we're just really hoping we make the right decision for him.

Reply
  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Just before we had our review, the school had mentioned that he would need to go to a school that would specialise in ASD etc. 

    They've left it up to us to have a look around and we have found a few different ones.

    When it came to his meeting, when they asked if we had researched anywhere, we mentioned a school that has both mainstream and a specialist department that caters for primary aged children with ASD. All three of the staff at the meeting agreed and it would be a great opportunity if he got in, but for us to ask for a visit. 

    He wouldn't need to be in a residential setting, which I think one of the schools offers, but they have advised he needs a school with more resources, including things he enjoys (like music rooms, sensory rooms and maybe even a trampolining room (he has physical stims that occur when he's happy). 

    He does use some Makaton sign at school and picks it up quickly. 

    I think as parent's we're just really hoping we make the right decision for him.

Children
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