We have Seliona's statement review on 18th March, its been 6 months since we first got the statement for her and now, hearing from other people and everything we have realised her statement is not good enough. It doesnt state how much extra help she needs and it doesnt state any 1 to 1 on it. I am not happy with Seliona being in the mainstream school she is in, she is not happy either, but the school seem to think she is doing really well and getting on well with the other children (she is autistic and has selective mutism for anyone that doesnt know). We were told at her last IEP review that if she doesnt change (speak in other words) by year 1 then they wont be able to help her any more and need the statement changing, but i really think now that special school is the right place for her, i only put her in mainstream as i felt pressured by proffesionals. So really what i need to know is how would i go about it, and can i when she hasnt had the statement for 12 months yet? The school disagree that she isnt doing well and that she doesnt like it because as they say ' she is always smiling', well thats when she is not crying lol. But Seliona does that at home too and it doesnt mean she is happy, she does it because she thinks thats what other people want her to do, i should know i have aspergers so know how her mind works! But she cries everyday saying she doesnt like school, she loves it when it is the school holidays and she stays at home with me. How can i put it to them at the meeting that she isnt coping how they are saying and have i got a right this soon after her statement starting (6 months) to say i want to move her to a different school? I have got absolutely nothing against the school, my older daughter goes there and is one of the top in her class for everything, but i just think it is not the right place for Seliona and she will be helped alot more at a special school. Any advice would be great!

have you been to visit any special schools in your area? that would be your first step then when you find one you think will fit your daughter speak to the headteacher of that school and they should be able to help you with the lea especially if they meet your daughter. how old is she? could she not be invited to the meetings at the school to get her opinion? (this is done when they older but dont know what age as matt was never suitable to attend meetings)
there have been a couple of members on here who have/going through the process of moving their child from mainstream to special school who might be able to help more
corinne

hi thanks for the reply, she is only in reception, she is 5 in may. I went to see a special school that specialises in just autism a while ago and i loved it and said straight away that this would be the best place for her (but proffessionals advised against it and i listened like some stupid idiot!) Im going to look at another one next week as a few people have told me it is an excellent school, so i thought i would have a look myself. There is then 1 more special school i have in mind to have a look at, but i will see how it goes next week as to whether it is suitable or not.

Hi Sarah,
What school did you visit was it the Pines?

no i have been to see uffculme, im going to see the pines next week, and then am thinking to also look at dame ellen but am not 100% sure whether to see that one or not