My 3 year old son has a diagnosis of Autism. He attends our local schools nursery. Who have a lot of experience with children on the spectrum. In the 3 months he has been there he is like a different child.
The teachers at nursery along with the specialist teachers at the child development centre feel he should have a place within the schools Autistic Spectrum Condition Resourced Provision.
However there are not any places available. Meaning my son will now stay within the school but be a mainstream pupil and I have to pray the school can afford to pay £6,000 for his support and then beg the council for the rest. I have friends who went through this last year and the school couldn't afford to help. He was left vulnerable and went missing for two hours as his T.A was no longer there.
However even if I am fortunate to receive the funding the care difference and expertise between mainstream with support and resource provision is huge. But also being within the resource provision protects his needs throughout his educational career as he would have to be cared for the same even if the centre was closed due to more cuts. I see the progress we have made these last few months and I just want the best for him as I feel this stage is so crucial and affects the rest of his life.
Does anybody else have any similar experience or advice? This is all very new and I am very lost.
Thank You!
