Choosing a school

[dawnlwilliams]

We are about to start looking for a suitable school for our daughter, any advice on what to look for what questions to ask etc would be gratefully received. Do most children cope in main stream school???

[hertsred]

That's a very difficult question to answer as it depends very much on your child's personal circumstance. Our son has, for the most part, done well in mainstream primary school. He was at the end of Year five before we had a diagnosis and we were able to start working seriously with the school on FASD specific education and ideas. But they adapted to him before that to an extent. I think it helps that it is a small school. I would suggest visiting schools, sitting down with the head and the SENCO and seeing what they say. Also try to get a feel for the schools, how do the kids relate to the adults and to each other? Does it feel like a kind, happy place. That's just as important as the academic side, for which there are strategies and adaptations that can be put in place.

[Ju35]

Hi there.

I am in the same boat as we are relocating which means a change of school and I'm stressing at getting it right. Our boy has coped within mainstream but he does have a 1-1. He goes to a large school which does cause issues with the busyness and noise but he doesn't really stand out too much. sorry, I haven't really been much help have I. Whichever school you choose though make sure you push for all the help that you can get, like 1-1/small group support, an area that your child can have as his/her own, like a tent with sensory stuff in for calming down, staff training, transition plans, a behaviour plan that you have input into...the list goes on. but remember you know your child best so be a pushy mother. I work in a school and pushy mothers always get what they want.

[Joygirl in reply to Ju35]

The other factor is being flexible, what suits them at 5 might not be right for them at 8. Our friend's son was mainstream primary but is going special needs at secondary. Between ours we have done mainstream, special needs and home schooling. I think it is a gut instinct that only you as a parent can go with, pray you've got it right and be prepared to know all your options if it does not meet their particular needs. Every kid and every school is different so you have to go look then make your choice, but it is often a gut choice not a head, factual choice!!!!! Parenting these kids is definitely not boring!