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Cheshire High school problems

blackbird56

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for taking time to read this.

My daughter goes to high school in two years (shes just started Year 5). She was diagnosed with Autism in 2014. We were told although the diagnosis is Autism she has Aspergers syndrome. She also has hypermobility syndrome, and Tics. She attends a main stream primary school, and scrapes through okay academically. Or so i'm told!! The other kids over the past year have started to notice shes different. I have no doubt she will not fit in or cope in main stream high school and i have looked at all the 'special schools' which are in Cheshire and they don't fit her need because shes high functioning. I am freaking out big time. Even the main stream schools who take ASD kids in require a statement and i've heard its like pulling teeth trying to get one of those. Does anyone have a child who has Aspergers syndrome who can recommend an appropriate school. There was an awesome one in Crewe called Adelaide school which would have been great for her but its boys only!! Any advice would be grately appreciated. Thanks again

  • I am so pleased my words may be of use to you, and that you are able to find the answers you crave.  We all want the best for our children, but sometimes we have a few obstacles to get around.  For example, today my lovely and beautiful daughter who is very quite at school thought the best course of action today was to throw hats at me, and when that didn't work, she actually said 'i'll find something sharp next time', and promptly went outside and found a small brick which she thought about throwing at me, but thankfully she didn't (this time).

    You are the first person to mention about Aspergers in this manner, our Paed. said they were no longer diagnosing it seperately, as it is just another form of Autism but that was the first I had heard and wasn't sure if it was just our area.  

    The main thing to remember is that, you have a piece of paper from the hospital stating your daughter is Autistic and it has to be treated as a disability.  Therefore you can claim PIP aswell (not sure if you know).  I have heard lots of people talking about a 'statement', I am not sure what that is, but here we have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan).  We also have an FSP (Family Support Plan) in place, different proffesionals meet with you at the school to discuss any issues or problems that may need to be helped.  We were in a very difficult situation at the time of this being set up, so I am not sure if you fit the requirements, if there is one, or if you even want one.  

    The EHCP apparently stays with the child until they are 25 and helps give you the extra support all through their education.

    Just a quick note about my family, basically it is just (Jane) my son and myself.  My husband passed away in May, so he never found out the diagnosis.

    In regards to the Asperges, I think that is slightly better than straight Autism, and therefore she would probably be better in a mainstream school.  Please don't quote me on this I am not a poffessional (and I don't mean offence to anyone, this is my look on things from what I have read only).  My (Jane) has a huge issue understanding things and is having great difficulty with maths, even the 5 times table is difficult.  She understands 5, 10, 15, 20 etc. but if you say 2 x 5 = she will answer 15.  

    When you are going to the schools, think about where your daughter stands in her current accademic knowledge. What can she do, or not?  what support does she need from the school.

    Sorry , probably teaching you to suck eggs, I get carried away as I have no one really to talk to. An Autistic 8 year old and a three year old. exciting conersation.  Anyway, unless you want me to talk again, I hope you find the answers you require and your daughters finds the school she deserves.

    Take care

  • Thank you so much for putting my mind at rest. I had no idea about a buddy system and i will certainly be exploring this and finding out which high schools in our area do this. My mind has been in turmoil worrying every day that she will go into the next phase of schooling into an unsuitable environment or into one with no support. I am in exactly the same position as you and i'm sure you and your family also feel the stress of knowing there are only two years left until we make that very huge decision to place our daughters in an environment where they will flourish.

    At the diagnosis in 2014 we were told she has Autism but then the Dr said if it was in the old system she would have been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. We left quite confused and was handed a piece of paper with a list of books to buy of the internet to read to help us understand her condition.

    I'm so glad your daughter is fitting in well and not to many problems with the other children. Children can be so cruel at times!! I will certainly be booking an appointment  with the headteacher and make sure they start to support us alot more. They have not stepped up the the plate at all and left us. 

    Lastly, i can't thank you enough!! Your time and kindness in replying has enabled us to take a step forward and opened up other options for our daugher. I wish you all the best for your daughter and your family.

  • Hi, my daughter is now a year 4 and she was just diagnosed as autistic in late August. I was told where we live they are not specifying the difference between Autism and Aspergers and everyone now gets put under Autism.  I don't know if this is being done around the UK or just Gt. Yarmouth?

    I too am concerned about high school, but now she has a diagnosis, everything will be much easier.  I haven't found anything out about 'statements' yet.  But at our local high school they have a 'buddy' system.  This helper buddy's with your child and dierects them too their next class.  (our primary has 80 children from nursery to year 6) and she never changes classrooms etc. so this is a massive change, and I know she will never make it to her next class.  Something else will happen that is more important! so for me this buddy system will be great.

    I have been really lucky in that my daughter has always been seen as popular (sort of), as she has always been so cute and petite, but (Jane) more than the other children are beginning to notice a difference.

    I am deeply concerned about her attending high school, but for us there is only the option of another high school, and no special schools.

    I have heard good reports from our more local one, how they help the children that require assistance, so hopefully that is not too bad.

    For you, why don't you make a list of what your actual concerns are and make an appointment with the head of the school or Senco to find out how they will actually help your child?  This may help put your fears at rest.  I don't think, even if I had the option, I would put my daughter in a special school.  I wish she was in the year lower (but that boat sailed too long ago) as I think she would have achieved better.  

    Schools are supposed to help when you have a diagnosis, (although our peadeatrician said some still don't recognise Autism at all! I was really shocked by that) so see what they will offer you.  You may find you are happy with the results.  Express your fear of potential bullying (I think that was were you were coming from).  I think the buddy system helps aleviate this, as they keep an eye on the children concerned.

    Hope it is a little helpful?

    Take care