Inquiry

[CouchTater]

Good afternoon,

I wonder if you can assist. I'm making queries on behalf of a family who has an 11-year-old son with autism who is also non-verbal. I'm trying to find out any information that the family can access as they don't seem to know what is/might be available to them. I am a tutor for the family as they are new to the area in which they live and have yet to find a school for their children.

I wonder if you could let me know if there are any services or support they can access in the meantime that might make things a little easier for them.

I look forward to hearing back.

Many thanks

Sarah

[Bee-bop]

Special educational needs and disability information and advice support service: SENDIASS should be able to help or Gateway to care ( that's what it is called in my area) Does the child have an EHCP and if so, where was that issued as the authority should liaise with the new local authority in terms of support for the child and school placement.

[CouchTater in reply to Bee-bop]

Hi, yes he's just been assigned an EHCP but things are going very slowly so was just wondering if they could access anything else in the meantime. He was placed in a mainstream school in his previous location, how and why I do not know as it is clear he needs specialist help. I am providing tutorial until a school placement has been found. I just thought I'd ask around to see if I could get any further information while the family awaits instructions from the LA. I found some groups that the family can go to to learn more about Autism and be with other families if they wish. As they say, every little helps. Thanks

[Bee-bop in reply to CouchTater]

SENDIASS can help with advocacy for the family as well as information relating to groups/support etc. They could join the national autistic society (NAS ) too perhaps for more information? It really is a postcode lottery as to provision. It can take ages for things to be organised and this can affect outcomes as the longer he's absent, the more he may feel excluded, especially if he was in mainstream before . Are the other children in school now or are the parents wanting all the children to be placed together ?

[CouchTater in reply to Bee-bop]

Hi Bee-bop, yes it is taking a while for things to fall into place. The other child who is 10 is now at school and they have a baby at home. I've given the parents info on NAS and other agencies/clubs local to them. They have a social worker who's regularly in touch with the family but can't given an indication or timing for a school placement.

[Bee-bop in reply to CouchTater]

Sounds like you have done as much as you can. Hopefully things will start moving soon 🤞

[JessFM]

Citizen Advice BureauGP

Would both be able to give lots of information as well as maybe the Pediatrician who diagnosed him.

There are lots of videos on Youtube that can be of help. Maybe trying to learn BSL (British Sign Language) as a way of communication or getting some PEC from Amazon. I will share a link to something my 4 year old son uses to help him.

amazon.co.uk/s?k=pec+cards+...

There are many things that could help with toileting and communication as well as something that could help with routine using pictures such as 'brush teeth, wash face, breakfast ect'