Supportive school for high functioning ASD Post Reply

[southoak16]

My four year old started in Reception at an independent school in Clapham in September 2021. Over the half term break he was diagnosed with ASD. We knew before he started school that he would need additional support and made the school aware of this and that he was on the waiting list for an ASD assessment. Whilst the school were very reassuring and do have a strong SENCo provision, we feel he is not being well accommodated with reasonable adjustments to help him feel settled and fully access the curriculum. His class teacher seems to take the view that his additional needs are a disruption and a behavioural issue.

We are in talks with the school about this but I am also looking into back up options if we decide this isn’t the right setting for him. Does anyone have experience of a school in Clapham/Balham/Battersea or around Dulwich that has small class sizes, a nurturing environment and genuinely good SENCo support? My son is high functioning, bright and verbal so we and his medical team feel a mainstream setting is most appropriate for him. We would prefer independent to state school for the class sizes but are open to all options.

[2009Kat]

Hi Southoak - If you haven't already, I would recommend you get an educational psychologist assessment for your son as that will highlight needs from an educational rather than a medical perspective.  That might also highlight whether your son's needs are such that it will inform discussions with the current and any prospective schools (and also you may want to think about whether he would need an EHCP).  Depending on the level of need and particular circumstances, many independent schools are just not inclusive for children with additional needs so I would also recommend you look at state options too.  
Feel free to pm if helpful.  I have an ASD child in a local state primary school.  

[Happymummy2014]

If it’s helpful, we found Finton House absolutely amazing - they provide fantastic SEN support as an integrated part of school. We changed (for other reasons) from a Clapham independent, and Finton immediately spotted that our younger one had SEN needs, while the previous school described our child as a slow learner. They are incredibly supportive and it’s a very happy school - both our children thrived there.

[curly]

Independant schools just don’t have the resources.

Firstly you need to get an Education Psychologist report done, then apply for an EHCP which is a legal document about what support your child needs. Then the school will get extra funding to support the child. Independant schools may say that they can’t support the extra needs.

My son is now in a state primary and the support has been amazing.

Good luck

[Lala1984]

I've been really impressed by the support at Beatrix Potter school on Magdalen Road for my 5y/o ASD son. He has 2/3 sessions a week (each around 15-20 minutes long) with the school SENCO team and his class teacher is experienced and sensitive to his skills and challenges. We have a private S&L therapist who does weekly sessions at home to provide further support, and we have made sure that everyone collaborates with regular TAC (team around child) meetings. Most importantly our son is happy and settled at school!