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Help wanted regarding Residential Care for Autistic kids

Charu

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am looking for some advice as I'm completely lost.

I'm a single mum, my son (6) was diagnosed was High Functioning Autism around 2 years ago.

I am finding it very difficult to handle my son on my own.  I suffer from Epilepsy and sometimes have absence seizures. I have to feed my son, as he cannot feed himself and he is unable to get toilet trained. I don’t mind doing any of this for my son but feel it’s getting too much. As my son’s growing older he’s getting more and more difficult to handle. He gets very angry when I don’t listen to him or give him what he wants. He starts to scream, throw stuff about and stamp his feet.  It’s difficult to calm him down afterwards.

I’ve heard about Residential School’s that help kids with Autism around the clock 24/7. They take in children with special needs and they help them according to their individual need. Because of my own medical condition and personal situation I am forced to think of other options.

I was wondering, has anyone heard about these schools or had any personal experience with them? I would really appreciate any kind of feedback or help someone can provide in regards to these special care residential schools for kids with autism.

Parents

  • 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 

Reply

  • 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 

Children
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