Help wanted regarding Residential Care for Autistic kids

Hi Stranger & Crystal, thanks for all the information. I haven't spoken to Social Services about a Assessment or Residential Schools yet. Do you know how I would go about it? Do I have to get a referral? Also I was wondering, they would say he already goes to an Autism based School, so he doesn't need to go a Residential School. But I feel he would get better help there as it would be 1 to 1 and they have more services there. Also I feel beacuse I live with my mum Social Services feel they need to help me less as my mum would pitch in. But she's over 60 & got prob's of her own! Getting some home care would help a lot, as I've got Epilepsy myself and am always scared I might have a fit. I'm not sure if I am entitled to any help. Sorry to go on about my prob's. Thanks for your help. Take care.

hi Charu - as stranger says, the LEA would fund the placement if they agreed it was what he needed.  They may say he doesn't as he goes to a day school for children with autism.  They won't want to fund it, especially in this economic climate.  You may well have to fight them for this.  I had to at the time.  As I said before, they are expensive because they're 24/7:  high staffing ratios, buildings (school + after school provision).  My son is an adult now so I had a google to see if I could get a £ figure.  I came across a report from Oxfordshire Co. Council who were proposing to build a school in 2011.  It was for 20 pupils - a mix of day, weekly, termly + 52 week placements.  I think they were quoting about £72,500 for the 52 wk placements.  It looks like Oxfordshire were trying to save money by building their own school + bringing the children back into their county.  If you were offered an "out of county" placement I think the cost would rise further, even if it wasn't very far away from you.  I'm sure some schools will charge more than £72,500, perhaps much more, depending on circumstances.   Have a google. 

I think the school did help my son.....he went when he was 9.   They helped him learn skills after the school day had finished.  They always had a routine.  His day school helped him as well - it was a school for children with autism + the staff were really good, but not 24/7.  I think the 24/7 makes a difference, as long as it's a good school, of course. 

My son started talking when he was 5.  His speech therapist was vg.   He could write + understand words + simple commands before then.

If you haven't check out the info on the nas site so you are prepared if/when you decide to pursue this with your LEA.  Good luck with everything.  bw 

The local educational authority (LEA) may fund your sons place.

I know this isn't what you're asking; but have you and your son both has assessments from social services? You're both entitled to have an assessment. (for you, both as a carer and someone with a disability)

Hi Crystal, sorry I haven’t been in touch. Thanks for all the info you gave me about Residential School’s. Abhi goes to a school for special kids with Autism & Aspergers. They give him 1 to 1 support but I few Abhi’s not responding to it.  He’s got a Speech & Language Therapist. We’ve tried PEC’s out on him, but he doesn’t use it, he takes us directly to the item he wants. I just had a few more q’s, sorry!  Can you give me an idea of how much these School’s charge? Did it help your son? Did you see any improvements? Also 1 last q, does your son talk? Sorry for the personal q’s.  Abhi doesn’t talk at all, only says 1 or 2 words, “mamma” & “nana” to my mum.  I’m very worried about him, it’s a lot of work to do and I get really stressed out and tired.  My mum helps out a bit too, but she over 60 and needs help herself so I don't want to burden her! Thanks for your help.

Charu

hi Charu - sounds like you're both having a difficult time.  Before talking about residential schools, which I will in a mo, can I ask what support you're getting from school + social services now?  The right support cd alleviate your need to send him to a 24/7 school, so that's why I ask.  Please let us know so we can contribute with the knowledge of your present situation to guide us.

Right.   My son went to a residential school.  It wasn't far from where we lived + he came home at wkends + all holidays.  That was our decision + his.   The school left it up to the parent as to when their child came home.  Christmas was the exception as it closed then.  We fought a 2 yr running battle with the education authority to get him there.  They are expensive, as is home-school transport.  They tried to rubbish 24/7 + put hurdles in the way all the time.  We cd have given up + nearly did, but we believed it was best for him.   I think my son went to a good school.  They brought him on.  He was in the "middle" ability class.  He's not aspergers. Because it's 24/7 they continue to "educate" after formal lessons finish.  The pupils are kept busy most of the time, with activities of various kinds, plus learning practical skills.  They do have a bit of time each day for themselves, but not lots.   He was there for 10 yrs.  He came home with an exercise book with staff comments for each day + we wd comment about how he'd been whilst with us.  He wd have an annual review at the school.  The head, his teacher, his sw, any other staff involved with him + ourselves wd attend.  Saying all that, no school is perfect so whilst your child is away you need to stay in touch + ring/visit etc regularly...talk to teachers, the head, care staff etc.  We found it worked out well, we felt he benefitted from it.  If he had shown signs of unhappiness, such as sadness, a deterioration in mood or behaviour or if he'd shown signs of being unwilling to return then we wd have tackled that with the school.   He had 2 or 3 issues which were short lived + which resolved quite quickly.   He was always ok about returning + at the same time enjoyed coming home.  We explained to him about the school, he visited, there was a waiting list, we battled the LEA, in the end they conceded, then he went as a day pupil for about 2 months to get adjusted then he went as a weekly boarder.  If you need any other info, let me know