Introduction

All parents want their children to have a good education and to fulfil their potential. We aim to provide good quality advice and support to parents so that they are aware of their rights and become confident partners in their child's education.

Here are our top tips for parents who want to get an appropriate education for their child with autism or Asperger syndrome.

General advocacy tips

  • Raise any concerns you have as early as possible with your child's class teacher.
  • Find out who the SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) is at your child's school.
  • Find out who the school's special educational needs (SEN) governor is.
  • Obtain a copy of the school's SEN policy.
  • Obtain a copy of the Special educational needs code of practice (see the section 'Useful documents and reading' for details).
  • Ask to see local authority's guidance/policy relating to special educational needs.
  • Keep records of discussions and meetings and a diary of events.
  • Keep a diary about your child and his/her difficulties.
  • Your child, if appropriate, could keep a diary.
  • Keep copies of all letters.
  • Send letters recorded delivery.
  • Mke sure that any deadlines are strictly adhered to. For example, the school or local authority may be obliged to give you information or take action within a certain time limit, and vice versa.

Documents

  • Always keep the original versions of any documents you send to the school or local authority - send photocopies.
  • When you receive paperwork check that all relevant documents are included.
  • 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 his/her correct date of birth, etc.

Preparing for meetings

Some general principles apply to preparing for meetings, whether you have a meeting at the school to discuss your child's education, a meeting with the local authority to discuss a proposed statement of special educational needs, or you are attending an annual review meeting.

  • Request copies 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.
  • Mark any relevant sections in the SEN code of practice which relate to your views.
  • Make a list of your views/concerns and any questions you want to ask.
  • Use this list during the meeting and tick off points as they are discussed.
  • If you would like another, relevant person (or persons) to attend the meeting, ask if they can be invited. 
  • Ask someone to go with you to the meeting, if possible, and let the school or local authority know that this is happening.
  • Don't feel pressured to agree to anything in the meeting.
  • Make notes of what is said and, if someone has accompanied you, ask them to take notes as well.
  • If anything is not clear ask for it to be explained again.
  • Make sure that everything you wanted to discuss has been dealt with; discuss some points again if necessary.
  • After the meeting, write a letter to the chairperson, with copies to all present, to confirm your understanding of what was discussed and any action agreed.

Writing letters

  • Make sure that your letter contains full details of your child, ie name, date of birth, the school your child attends, etc.
  • Also quote any references, eg tribunal hearing number.
  • Always keep a copy of any letters you send.
  • Hand deliver or send letters by recorded delivery.
  • Wherever possible, address letters personally, ie by using head teacher's or chair of governors' name.
  • If you're unsure who to write to at your local authority, address the letter to the Chief Education Officer or Director of Education. Your town hall or local library will be able to give you their name, or it will be on the authority's website.

Useful documents and reading

Department for Education and Skills (DfES) (2001). Special educational needs code of practice. London: DfES (Ref: DFES/581/2001). Available from DCSF Publications (formerly DfES Publicaitons). Tel: 0845 600 9506; email: publications.online@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk; website: www.dcsf.gov.uk/

National Assembly for Wales (2004). Special educational needs (SEN) code of practice for Wales/Cod ymarfer anghenion addysgol arbenning Cymru. Cardiff: National Assembly for Wales. Available from the National Assembly for Wales Publications Centre. Tel: 029 2082 3683; email: assembly-publications@wales.gsi.gov.uk; website: www.wales.gov.uk

Department for Education and Skills (DfES) (2001). SEN toolkit. London: DfES (Ref: DfES/558/2001). Available from DCSF Publications (formerly DfES Publicaitons). Tel: 0845 600 9506; email: publications.online@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk; website: www.dcsf.gov.uk/

Further help

Further help for parents trying to obtain an appropriate education for their child is available from our Education Advice Line. Specific help for appealing to the special educational needs tribunal is available from our Tribunal Support Scheme. You can telephone both services on 0808 800 4102.

Quick link to this page: www.autism.org.uk/18451