All parents want their children to have a good education and to fulfil their potential. Here are our top tips for parents who want to get an appropriate education for their child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who may need some extra help in school.

General advocacy tips

  • Be clear about the main concerns you have.
  • Talk about your concerns as early as possible with your child's class teacher.
  • Find out who the SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) is in your child's school.
  • Find out the name of the member of the school's Board of Governors with responsibility for its policy on special educational needs (SEN).
  • Obtain a copy of the school's SEN policy.
  • Keep written records of discussions, meetings and any relevant events.
  • Keep copies of all letters you send and receive.
  • If you write letters, send them by recorded delivery or hand-deliver them.
  • Obtain a copy of the SEN Code of Practice and its Supplement (see the section 'Useful documents and reading').
  • Ask to see your Education and Library Board's (ELB) guidance or policy relating to special educational needs.
  • Keep a diary of your child and his or her difficulties.
  • Your child, if appropriate, could also keep a diary.
  • Make sure that any deadlines are strictly adhered to by you, your child's school or your ELB.

Documents

  • Keep the original versions of all the documents you send to the school or ELB - send photocopies.
  • Check that all relevant documents are included with any paperwork you receive. Ask for any missing documents.
  • Read through all documents - highlight or make a list of things you agree or disagree with. (It's helpful to keep a 'clean copy' of paperwork to make notes on).
  • Check any paperwork you receive about your child to make sure it gives the correct name, date of birth, etc.

Preparing for meetings

Some general principles apply to preparing for meetings, whether you have a meeting with your child's school to discuss his or her education, with your ELB to discuss a proposed statement, or an annual review meeting.

  • Request a copy of your child's school record before the meeting.
  • Read any reports that have been written about your child and highlight any areas that need clarification or are of concern to you.
  • Mark any relevant sections in the SEN Code of Practice or Supplement which will support your views.
  • Discuss your concerns with a friend, supporter or advocacy agency who may be able to advise. Find out if this person can accompany you to the meeting.
  • Tell the school or ELB that this person will attend the meeting with you.
  • Prepare a list of your main concerns and questions you want to ask. Use this list as a guide during the meeting, ticking off points as they are discussed.
  • Try to avoid feeling pressured into agreeing to things. Agree only when you are prepared to accept an outcome.
  • Make notes of what is said or, if possible, take someone with you to the meeting to make notes.
  • Ask for anything you are not clear about to be explained again.
  • Take time to check that everything you wanted to discuss has been dealt with. Go back over points if necessary.
  • Write a letter to the chairperson after the meeting to confirm your understanding of what was discussed and any actions agreed.
  • Send copies of your letter to all the people who were at the meeting.

Writing letters

Some issues and concerns can be resolved by speaking to schools or ELBs by telephone or in person. Other issues or concerns can be more effectively dealt with in writing. In a letter, it may be easier to explain the points you wish to make. It also means that everyone has a record of your concerns.

  • Make sure your letter contains full details of your child: name, date of birth, name of school.
  • Quote any references used by the school or ELB, such as tribunal numbers.
  • Set out your main concerns or requests clearly and as concisely as possible.
  • Include a brief reference to the Code of Practice where relevant, or to legislation when suitable.
  • Keep copies of any letters you send.
  • Hand-deliver or send letters by recorded delivery.
  • Address letters to a named person where possible, eg use the name of the Principal or Chair of Governors.
  • Address letters to the chief executive officer of your ELB. Your town hall or local library can give you their name, or you can find it on the ELB's website.

Useful documents and reading

  • Department of Education (1998). Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
  • Department of Education (2005). Supplement to the Code of Practice.
  • Department of Education. SEN guide for parents.


The publications mentioned above are available from:

Department of Education
Special Education Branch
Rathgael House
Balloo Road
Bangor BT19 7PR
Tel. 028 91 279279
Website: www.deni.gov.uk

Further help

Further help for parents trying to obtain an appropriate education for their child is available from our Education Rights Service. Tel: 0808 800 4102 (press option 5 for Northern Ireland).

For general help and information about autism, contact our Autism Helpline. Tel: 0808 800 4104 (open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm) or email: autismhelpline@nas.org.uk