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Hi Daphne - sorry to hear about your troubles. What age is your AS and does he have any other learning difficulties?

Hi Londonfamily - he is in year 2 (7 years old) and has been diagnosed with developmental trauma disorder and sensory processing disorder. He is academically quite bright and is generally on target with his learning even though he is unable to stay in class for a lot of his day.

I’ve heard really good things about blossom house. Someone else (an EP and also a SEN teacher) recommended stepping stones in hindhead , but I don’t have direct experience. An adopted therapist recommended west Farm which I think is near ashford. But again I have no personal experience of it It’s worth visiting as many schools as you can xx

Back again! My AS is a year older and has had a complete meltdown from the transition to year 3. He is academically able but can’t cope with the stress or the change in routine. He has already been excluded once (which I think was unlawful but I don’t have the energy to fight - and I need to keep the school on side) and I have done everything to ensure it doesn’t happen again - he is only doing half days - which has helped and I am sending him off for private tuition in the afternoons - so he keeps up. We are in the process of applying for an EHCP (school was pretty useless and I had to do it). So I have been looking at alternative schools. What I would say is that not every state school is the same. I now realise we inadvertently chose one which has far too EHCPs and no LAC or former LAC...one school I visited last week had a much stronger SEN department, with a full time well being person as well as SENCO and a Sen room. But as for schools in Surrey - check out More House in farnham - although your son would have to wait until Year 4. Also Priory House in Roehampton, Good luck. xx

Hi Londonfamily, thanks very much for the suggestions and it sounds like you're going through a tough time in year 3 - something we're nervous about too given our son's increasing anxiety at school. I think you're right that we just have to go and visit some schools to get an impression of what's out there. Best be prepared just in case. Thanks again.

Thanks Freddie2 for the suggestions - we'll definitely set up some visits - think we need to build more knowledge and understanding of what's on offer so that if it comes to it we're prepared for our discussions with our local authority.