“Mainstream school, Specialist school, 1-1 support and Residential. What are the options?”
Getting the right support for your child through the school years is crucial to getting the best possible foundation for their future.
While this is true for all children, for those with additional and special needs it is even more critical as their support needs are much greater.
For a child to be given additional support over and above what is normally provided at school often (but not always) requires a ‘statement of educational needs’. This is a contract between you and the local education authority as to the required provision for your child. Unfortunately, getting such a statement is often not straightforward, and the process can be long and stressful.
The process of getting ‘a statement’ and your experience of it will vary between different education authorities. However, once in place, it is a legal requirement for the authority to provide that support for your child. The statement is then reviewed annually.
The options for education are generally:
> In mainstream school with additional support, usually a one-to-one person for part or all of the time.
> In mainstream school with a specialist resource centre, again with additional one-to-one support for part or all of the time.
> In a specialist school for autism or special needs.
> At a residential school with 24-hour support. Some of these are 52 weeks a year, and at others the children go home at weekends and / or during school holidays.
> At an independent or non-maintained school which can be mainstream, specialist or residential but not maintained by the local authority. Parents can either fund this themselves or apply for funding from the local authority.
> Home schooling, possibly using one of the therapies such as ABA or Son Rise as outlined in the ‘treatment and therapies’ section.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”
- Albert Einstein
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best option for your child will be dependent on his / her needs. Remember that you do have a say in what school and setting you feel is right for your child, and specifically what additional support should be included in the statement. It is a good idea to get help from an independent person or organisation that can help you through the process and advocate for you. There are many charities and free services around the country that will do this.
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