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Help with questions to the mainstream school my son is due to start in september.

kaza

Hi,

My Son is due to start mainstream primary school in September. He has been diagnosed with Autism and this is all still very new to me as living in the south hams there is no earlybird courses to attend. He isn't good at communication and talks very little, yes/no and repeats various television programmes. He has very few social skills, still in nappies yet is above intelligence in numbers, alphabet etc.

We have a meeting with the school and all professionals involved on wednesday. I am just wondering if anyone has any questions they feel are important that i should be asking the school at the meeting. My portage worker has a few but i don't really know where to start. The head is very good at talking, almost a politician and i seem to get swept along! Thanks, Karen

Parents

  • Hi - you're right to regard this meeting as highly important.  There's info on education, inc. getting a statement of educational needs, which shd give your son support at school, such as having a teaching assist't.  If you haven't applied for a statement, please do so asap.  I wd be asking how autism-aware the school staff are. Following their answers I'd dig deeper there and then.  I'd ask if the TA will be trained in autism and, crucially who will be training them, what will the course cover and how long will it be.  Some people only get a "talk" but say they've had "training".   Go with your knowledge and your gut instinct.   Some people say they understand autism, generally that's not true.  They may say they've taught an autistic child before - well, yes, but how successfully?  I know all this sounds depressing but do not put your faith. hopes etc in people unless you are satisfied.  I don't know if you've looked at other schools inc. special schools or schools for autistic children.  It's always worth visiting more than 1.  However, I don't know enough about your situation.  Apologies if I'm saying things you've already done and/or looked into Smile.  Also it's important that his TA or other suitably trained person is able to watch over/help him at break times, lunchtimes, toilet times etc.  It's a big adjustment so dig your heels in for the good of both of you.

Reply

  • Hi - you're right to regard this meeting as highly important.  There's info on education, inc. getting a statement of educational needs, which shd give your son support at school, such as having a teaching assist't.  If you haven't applied for a statement, please do so asap.  I wd be asking how autism-aware the school staff are. Following their answers I'd dig deeper there and then.  I'd ask if the TA will be trained in autism and, crucially who will be training them, what will the course cover and how long will it be.  Some people only get a "talk" but say they've had "training".   Go with your knowledge and your gut instinct.   Some people say they understand autism, generally that's not true.  They may say they've taught an autistic child before - well, yes, but how successfully?  I know all this sounds depressing but do not put your faith. hopes etc in people unless you are satisfied.  I don't know if you've looked at other schools inc. special schools or schools for autistic children.  It's always worth visiting more than 1.  However, I don't know enough about your situation.  Apologies if I'm saying things you've already done and/or looked into Smile.  Also it's important that his TA or other suitably trained person is able to watch over/help him at break times, lunchtimes, toilet times etc.  It's a big adjustment so dig your heels in for the good of both of you.

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