• Replies 2 replies
  • Subscribers 65 subscribers
  • Views 654 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Starting school, what should I do??

Liz

Hi,

I really need some advice from adults on the spectrum as well as parents with older children on the spectrum.

My son James is due to start school in September next year. He has a diagnosis of ASD and a repaired cleft lip and palate. He currently attends nursery 3 days a week with 15 hrs 1-2-1 support. He attends speech therepy once a week at our local childrens centre. We have submitted an application for a statement of special educational needs.

James is a lovely happy boy, he has some verbal communication although this is very difficult for others to understand and is limited to his needs. He still wears nappies, needs help with feeding, has sensitivity issues to loud noises textures etc, he is significantly behind other children his own age and has the usual difficulties of interacting with his piers and teachers. He is far more likely to shut off and withdraw than have tantrums or behavioural difficulties

I have looked at 2 schools for children with special education needs and lots of "normal" state infant/primary schools.

As a parent I know that making the right decision for James now is extremely important and I am totally torn by the decision to send James to a "special" school who have experience in supporting children with a diagnosis of ASD or a "normal" school where with 1-2-1 support James may have a chance to reach his full potential and interact with piers that do not have a diagnosis.

Can any adults with ASD or parents of older children with ASD give me any advice or share their own experiences of their education at "normal" and or "special" schools. I feel like I am being asked to predict the future by making this decision for James and I am terrified that I will do the wrong thing for him. Please help x

Parents

  • hi,  in my case my son went to a school purely for children with autism.  I've never regretted it.  They understood his needs, the classes were small (7 children), staffing ratio was high.  So no bullying or his needs being overlooked.  If I were in your position I'd check out the posts on this site to inform decision-making.  You say he's "behind" children of his own age.  My son was like that with speech but good speech therapy changed all that.  He interacted much more with adults than children, whether at school or at home.  I think he found adults "easier" + generally it was for something he wanted.  For someone with asd "normal" doesn't always work.  

Reply

  • hi,  in my case my son went to a school purely for children with autism.  I've never regretted it.  They understood his needs, the classes were small (7 children), staffing ratio was high.  So no bullying or his needs being overlooked.  If I were in your position I'd check out the posts on this site to inform decision-making.  You say he's "behind" children of his own age.  My son was like that with speech but good speech therapy changed all that.  He interacted much more with adults than children, whether at school or at home.  I think he found adults "easier" + generally it was for something he wanted.  For someone with asd "normal" doesn't always work.  

Children
No Data