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why is there such a gap in provision?? desperate mum!!

tbag

My daughter was diagnosed with autism in the summer holidays, She started mainstream high school in september. She managed to attend 8 times but 'drained LSA resources'while she was there. She can't attend any more, she can't stand it. She said I'm sending her to hell and she would rather be dead than be there!I don't send her anymore. I have applied for a statement, but I'm told she probably won't get one. She doesn't have learning difficulties. I know she can't cope in mainstream but I have looked at a couple of special needs schools and they don't seem right for her either, She would have no peer group in either type of school. I wondered if other parents have found a gap in provision for children with high functioning autism?

I can't home educate her long term as I have a son at the severe end of the spectrum and I'm tring to do a degree, she is very demanding. She is going to the childminder 3 times a week at the moment. I don't think it would be good for her not to have any opportunity to socialise. She has no friends and doesn't seem able to make any.

I'm researching schools and ther just arn't any that are suitable! I just don't know what to do! She didn't speak to any children or go in the canteen or playground at high school.

Parents

  • Who told you she probably wouldn't get a statement?  I won't say it's aways easy, or that everyone who applies is successful, but many people are initially refused an assessment for a statement by the LA and are successful on appeal (I think the figures are around 60%).

    Have a look at www.ipsea.org.uk as they have a lot of step-by-step information and clear instructions on how to apply and what information to submit, including model letters.

    My youngest who is HFA got a statement easily and intellectually she is very academically capable.  My eldest is in a very similar position to your daughter.  She is 12 and after a 3 year period of home education has just started Y8 in secondary and is saying similar things to your daughter, and is begging me to home-educate her again.  She is on School Action Plus and the SENCo told me she is getting far more support than pupils get on SA+ and she is still not coping.  It's an absolute nightmare, she is melting down, sobbing, talking about dying, becoming monosyllabic etc.  I had one day where she had such a massive meltdown (I mean you wouldn't believe the screaming) and she didn't go in, and she's only been going 3.2 weeks.

    She has Asperger's but CAMHS were crap and failed to diagnose her and we are awaiting a 2nd opinion at a specialist autism centre.  The LA refused an assessment for statement and I have just faxed off an appeal to SENDIST.  (So far about 60 pages of information including the appeal form).

    Don't give up!  Our LA told me that they discourage statement appeals and since they heard how difficult she is finding school they advised me to go straight ahead and appeal.

    Statements are not only about academic levels and abilities, they are about being able to access the education and if a child has special needs (which your daughter does) that affect their ability to access their education then they should have a statement.  They also cover children's behavioural issues and socialising problems and can specify support for sensory issues too.

    Look in your area to see if any mainstream schools have an ASC unit attached as they aren't always "advertised" and the child is based in the unit and goes into maintream for part of the time.  That's about the best option in-between special school and mainstream if you can't afford a specialist private school.  In some cases you may be able to name a suitable independent school on a statement if the state schools are unsuitable.

Reply

  • Who told you she probably wouldn't get a statement?  I won't say it's aways easy, or that everyone who applies is successful, but many people are initially refused an assessment for a statement by the LA and are successful on appeal (I think the figures are around 60%).

    Have a look at www.ipsea.org.uk as they have a lot of step-by-step information and clear instructions on how to apply and what information to submit, including model letters.

    My youngest who is HFA got a statement easily and intellectually she is very academically capable.  My eldest is in a very similar position to your daughter.  She is 12 and after a 3 year period of home education has just started Y8 in secondary and is saying similar things to your daughter, and is begging me to home-educate her again.  She is on School Action Plus and the SENCo told me she is getting far more support than pupils get on SA+ and she is still not coping.  It's an absolute nightmare, she is melting down, sobbing, talking about dying, becoming monosyllabic etc.  I had one day where she had such a massive meltdown (I mean you wouldn't believe the screaming) and she didn't go in, and she's only been going 3.2 weeks.

    She has Asperger's but CAMHS were crap and failed to diagnose her and we are awaiting a 2nd opinion at a specialist autism centre.  The LA refused an assessment for statement and I have just faxed off an appeal to SENDIST.  (So far about 60 pages of information including the appeal form).

    Don't give up!  Our LA told me that they discourage statement appeals and since they heard how difficult she is finding school they advised me to go straight ahead and appeal.

    Statements are not only about academic levels and abilities, they are about being able to access the education and if a child has special needs (which your daughter does) that affect their ability to access their education then they should have a statement.  They also cover children's behavioural issues and socialising problems and can specify support for sensory issues too.

    Look in your area to see if any mainstream schools have an ASC unit attached as they aren't always "advertised" and the child is based in the unit and goes into maintream for part of the time.  That's about the best option in-between special school and mainstream if you can't afford a specialist private school.  In some cases you may be able to name a suitable independent school on a statement if the state schools are unsuitable.

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