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Special needs or Mainstream

MisterS

I know this has probably been discussed a number of times before but I wanted to ask specific questions. We all know that each child on the spectrum has different needs. We have a 3 year old daughter and she doesn't have major behaviour issues minus a few repetitive things. Sensory issues exist somewhat.

I've read so many articles and books from parents of children on the spectrum and had decided in my mind that we would push for our Daughter to go to a mainstream school and hoping that she would be adequately supported there.

We spoke with someone over the weekend who is more in the know with the education system and they suggested that we grab a special needs school if it was offered and it's easier to move from a special school to a mainstream school than the other way round. Now that leaves us in a confused state. What do we do ?

Parents of girls will appreciate the dillema. ASD tends to be a more male dominated world and ratios of boys to girls tends to be 4:1 to 10:1 in most of the special schools. What do we do ? It's ever so confusing !

Parents

  • MisterS

    Hi I do agree with a lot of what mum of 3 has said. You need to visit the Schools in your area, both mainstream and specialist.

    Both of my boys were withdrawn from mainstream and home educated due to severe shortfalls in the primary mainstream provision at one School. One then went onto a specialist primary, the other continued in another mainstream. Both ultimately ended up in mainstrean secondary where they were extremely well supported, however this was with some fairly substantial statementing.

    In our statement we insisted that the provision programme was 'devised and delivered' by the OT, Speach and Language Therapist etc.

    However, not all mainstream Schools can provide such a level of intervention through their LEA. In our case the School brought in independant qualified support as their was a shortage of SALT's available.

    After a hugely distressing problem with the Primary Schools in our area, it was a relief to find a Secondary School so forward thinking. However, even when the decsicion was made we still agonized as to whether it was the right choice.

    The key in my opinion is the statement. Do contact IPSEA as they are much more familiar with the new guidelines. If you can, try and begin assessment of your childs needs as soon as possible. In my case one of my sons was in the Second year of Secondary School before his statement was finalized, this was too little too late in his case and he missed some crucial early intervention as a result.

    Go with what feels right for your child, their is no hard and fast rule. Some children manage better in mainstrean than others. I wish you luck.

    Coogy

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  • MisterS

    Hi I do agree with a lot of what mum of 3 has said. You need to visit the Schools in your area, both mainstream and specialist.

    Both of my boys were withdrawn from mainstream and home educated due to severe shortfalls in the primary mainstream provision at one School. One then went onto a specialist primary, the other continued in another mainstream. Both ultimately ended up in mainstrean secondary where they were extremely well supported, however this was with some fairly substantial statementing.

    In our statement we insisted that the provision programme was 'devised and delivered' by the OT, Speach and Language Therapist etc.

    However, not all mainstream Schools can provide such a level of intervention through their LEA. In our case the School brought in independant qualified support as their was a shortage of SALT's available.

    After a hugely distressing problem with the Primary Schools in our area, it was a relief to find a Secondary School so forward thinking. However, even when the decsicion was made we still agonized as to whether it was the right choice.

    The key in my opinion is the statement. Do contact IPSEA as they are much more familiar with the new guidelines. If you can, try and begin assessment of your childs needs as soon as possible. In my case one of my sons was in the Second year of Secondary School before his statement was finalized, this was too little too late in his case and he missed some crucial early intervention as a result.

    Go with what feels right for your child, their is no hard and fast rule. Some children manage better in mainstrean than others. I wish you luck.

    Coogy

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