Hi my son is 12yrs old and autisic he is in a normal high school, this year was his first year there. I must say the support so far they have given him has been superb when he gets into one of his "moods" they pull him out of class and sit in a room eating grapes with him and talking him round until he can go back into class, he is constantly ill but again the school nurse knows him and can in most cases calm him down until he can go back into class.
The problem is last sept they should of applied for full funding for him but didn't, they were also supposed to get out the ed phyc to see him again but again didn't. He does not read and write and has a lady who goes around the school with him to help him, i went into school when a new senco started and she passed a coment about hopefully keeping the assistant with him next year, i was horrified and explained to them that Liam does not like any change at all and that he actually likes this assistant and he works extremley well with her and she knows him and his ways, she can actually read him like a book and knows when to take him out of class. The next meeting at school i was informed they are applying for full funding in sept and he needs someone to read and scribe for him.
To cut a long story short today school phoned me to pick Liam up as he wasn't well and the assistant was waiting for me to have a word, the senco has decided next year she will not be with Liam and will proberbly just have whoever is in class to help him, the assistant is really concerned about this and worried how Liam will react, she didn't even want to tell Liam herself as she knows he will get upset. I cannot believe they are doing this, do they not realise that autisic children do not like change he is very fussy about teachers or anyone trying to help him and we have been very lucky this year with getting someone so good, as for next year i am dreading it if they remove her and all his teachers change i know his reaction will not be good. Surely if they apply for full funding and receive it he should have the one to one of one person not constantly changing them to who is available and does anyone think a statement would help, or would i actually get one!!! i know the school will just say that they can meet his needs but i dont think they are doing this.
sorry if it was so long winded but it has really upset me.