10 tips for finding the right secondary school for your child with autism

Here are my top tips for secondary transfer based on my experiences as a mum to three children with autism.

As a mum to three children with autism and additional diagnoses aged 8, 15 and 18, I know what a worrying time it can be choosing a secondary school for your son or daughter. I wanted to share some top tips for secondary transfer based on our experiences. They may not be suitable for all families but I hope they might give you a few ideas.

1. Start by talking to your child about what their ‘ideal’ school would be like

Make a list of ‘non-negotiables’ based on what do they like/dislike about their current school i.e. what the school must offer. This might include subjects on offer, class size, details about transport to/from school etc. One way this could be adapted is by making it visual, using pictures and sorting into like/don’t like. As a parent you are more than likely to already know these things but it can be a good way of giving your child some control and involvement in the process.

2. Make a list of all suitable schools in your area and visit as many as possible

If there are no schools within your area which can meet your child’s needs, look further afield. Many children whose SEN cannot be met within their local area are educated in another local authority.

3. When you have a shortlist of schools, discuss them with your child, if appropriate

If possible, talk to other parents of children with SEN who go to the schools. Make a list of questions with your child and ask for meetings with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) so you can ask your questions and discuss your child’s special educational needs. If your child is visiting the school with you, it might be appropriate to ask if you can do so after school hours so there are fewer people around.

4. Once you have chosen a school, discuss an appropriate transition plan with the school and your child

It may help your child to have a basic map of the school which details where toilets and classrooms are. If it will help your child, ask for a list of school staff, their roles, names and, if possible, their photos. Request a detailed timetable for your child to have before starting school, a list of the school rules and any other information your child might need to ease anxiety of the transition. It may be appropriate to have photos of the classrooms and other areas of the school.

5. Get the maximum support possible put in place at the start of a school placement with a view to adapt or reduce when/if it’s not required or helpful

This can really protect your child, especially if they do not have a Statement. It may help to ask the SENCO and class teacher for regular meetings to plan targets, discuss what works and what doesn’t. Keeping a good, realistic relationship with the school can only help your child. If you find the school are not willing or able to support your child in the way you know they need, as parents, we have to consider that it may not be the right school.

6. Make a ‘personal passport’ for your child

We made a few cards (business card size) personalised with photos and each one had a short description of something they liked, disliked, and what help they wanted. For example, one of my daughter’s cards was about eye contact. It said “I don’t always like to make eye contact but please don’t think I’m rude or not listening to you.” Another said “Sometimes I get overloaded with noise and movement. I need somewhere quiet to go and time on my own when I feel like this.”

We made these with our children so they were correct, appropriate and they only shared them with people they felt comfortable with. It could be done in list format or another way more appropriate to your child but I’ve found that keeping each point brief meant more people took the information on board.

7. Challenge the local authority if they disagree with you about your child’s school

I have found this happens more when asking for specialist placements, especially independent ones. The law states that your child has a right to an appropriate education. If they have had their needs assessed by medical and educational professionals who have identified needs that cannot be met in any other school, or the school which your local authority has named, then you have the right to appeal through the Tribunal service. It is always best to try and work with the local authority and ask for a meeting to discuss your child’s placement, but as it can be a lengthy process, I have found it helpful to get the appeal started as soon as possible to avoid a delay.

8. Don’t be put off at the thought of disagreeing with schools and local authorities even though the idea of going tribunal can be a scary

It can often feel like a ‘David v Goliath’ battle, but the Tribunal is set up to support parents appealing decisions about their children’s education that they do not agree with. There is a lot of support parents can get without having to pay legal fees. Our family is currently fighting our fifth tribunal and although it’s a stressful and, at times, emotional process, it is there for us to use. We have found it to be a fair and structured process and it has been the only way we have been able to get what our children need.

9. Make sure you have lots of evidence to back-up what your child needs

Try and get as many professional assessments as you can either via the NHS, or privately if you prefer, as the local authority will need this. Also, document EVERYTHING! All phone-calls, meetings, emails, notes, reports. If you haven’t got all of these you can request a full unedited copy of your child’s school file from their school. You can also contact your local authority and ask how to request a copy of your child’s file from them.

10. Stay positive

Remember the most important thing is that your child is an individual and has the right to succeed, contribute and be happy. It is a stressful time for children and parents. I can only talk from our experience and we have found that the benefits of getting the right school far outweigh the stress of getting there! Good luck and stay strong!

About Claire

Claire Ryan is the mother of three children with autism. She is a Parent Patron for Ambitious about Autism and was a Community Champion on Talk about Autism until 2013. She works in speech and language therapy near to her home in Kent.