Choosing the right school for an ASD child

Some mainstream schools are autism-friendly, some special schools get the basics wrong, so you’ll need to check things out for yourself. It’s difficult establishing the school’s culture from a single visit. The attitude of the head teacher is probably the biggest factor. You need a school that is going to be open-minded when things aren’t working and work with you to find a solution, rather than one where the staff close ranks or one that doesn’t involve you in decisions. This can be hard to gauge before you start school, of course, but asking some direct questions might help.

Good questions to ask your child’s prospective mainstream school

• What autism training have the teaching and support staff received, including the head teacher and governors?
• Are there structured activities during playtime?
• What adjustments has the school made for autistic children in the past year’s intake?
• What communication do they think is reasonable between parents and school?
• What is their behavioural policy and how flexible is it for autistic students?
• Is the SENCO part of the senior leadership team?

Questions for a special school

• What is the staff–pupil ratio?
• How much time do the children get individually with the teacher?
• What is the curriculum and focus of the work?
• What is the peer group of your child’s year likely to be?
• Which interventions are used, and are they one-to-one or in a group?

The different types of schools out there

Mainstream state schools

The ‘normal’ school to which non-SEN kids go.

Pros:

• The school is likely to be close
• The opportunity to access a full range of qualifications, such as GCSEs and A-levels.
• Some mainstream schools try hard to differentiate the curriculum and make reasonable adjustments.

Cons:

• Some schools can be inflexible about accommodating the needs of autistic children even if it involves no extra cost.
• Teachers often lack knowledge about autism, which may lead them not to believe parents, which leads parents feeling isolated.
• Pupils are largely expected to fit in with existing routines and structures.
• Some children who need lots of one-to-one support to cope with a mainstream school can become overreliant on adult help.
• If a mainstream school doesn’t support its autistic pupils properly, that can create or exacerbate mental health problems.

Private or independent mainstream schools

Pros:

• Potentially smaller class sizes; the teacher has more chance to get to know your child.
• Some autistic children like the more old-fashioned structured school environment, with explicit and firmly policed boundaries.
• Bright kids get the chance to be stretched academically, though the emphasis can be on academic success and not on the child’s emotional and social wellbeing.

Cons:

• As these schools don’t have to abide by the SEN Code of Practise, what provision is offered varies greatly. They have no obligation to accept pupils with SEN.
• A small number of parents do get local authorities to pay to send their child to a private school, but usually these are extreme situations where a child has had a terrible time elsewhere.
• It’s unlikely an LA will pay for support – say a TA or SALT – if a parent has elected to send their child to a private school.
• While some private schools allow parents to pay for the TA themselves, some charge more for SEN pupils. Some run a mile as soon as SEN is mentioned.
• Many private schools lack awareness of autism.
• There can be issues around parents who are unenlightened (to put it nicely) and paying high fees who have concerns about disruptive behaviour.

Mainstream schools with autism units

An autism unit – effectively a small school – attached to a mainstream school can be a good compromise.

Pros:

• Specialist teachers, smaller class sizes.
• Some children spend the morning in the unit and afternoon in the mainstream school. Others stay in the unit full-time then can integrate into the mainstream school if appropriate.
• Your child will have access to other autistic pupils, meaning they feel less different.

Cons:

• The idea is that staff in the mainstream school benefit from knowledge shared by teachers in the specialist wing of the school, but sometimes the former aren’t given time to do this.
• Children can get stuck in the autism unit and not be integrated into the mainstream school when parents feel they are ready.
• Some parents find the mainstream school, despite its proximity to the specialist unit, is not as good on inclusion as they had expected.

Special schools

Schools specifically for children with SEN. Some specialise in autism.

Pros:

• Smaller class sizes, trained staff, an autism-friendly environment and a flexible approach to learning.
• There will be more SALT and OT.
• Some kids who have had an awful time at a mainstream school can flourish

Cons:

• Specialist schools can be far from the child’s home, and if the LA is paying for the transport, cost-cutting exercises can mean drivers change frequently.
• It is unlikely that they will do GCSEs at a special school; instead, they will pursue independent living qualifications, focusing on personal and social skills. Some special schools now offer ‘dual placements’, which means some lessons or exams are carried out at a local mainstream school with support.
• There are more boys in special schools, so girls may struggle to make female friendships.

Autism: How To Raise a Happy Autistic Child by Jessie Hewitson is published by Orion Spring in trade paperback on 22 March 2018

Check out Stay At Home Parent to SEN Children