Starting school: “it was an emotional experience feeling this is where my child would fit in”

Mum Kate tells us about a brilliant nursery and starting Special Educational Needs (SEN) school. Alfie is four years old and has a diagnosis of autism and global developmental delay.

“Alfie is a lovely little boy. He’s got a great personality and a real sense of humour. Since he was young, Alfie presented with signs of autism. He doesn’t make eye contact except for with trusted friends and family. He struggles with social skills and understanding communication. And he struggles with his speech. He can say around five words: Grandma is the only one that’s stuck consistently – to Grandma’s delight!

Nursery

“Alfie has been going to nursery four times a week on reduced hours. We were so lucky to have the nursery we had. They were phenomenal.

“Half of the staff have specialist training to support children with special educational needs. And Alfie had a one to one worker who was just fantastic.”

“The nursery have been an amazing font of knowledge. They have helped explain certain traits and behaviours Alfie shows and have recommended books which were really helpful. In fact, it was only through reading these that I discovered I have sensory processing disorder too.”

Starting school

“You can’t leave Alfie for a minute alone as he doesn’t have a concept of danger, consequence of pain.

“Mainstreams schools couldn’t cope with his needs so we were really hoping he could go to the special school near us. If you’ve never been to a special school, you don’t know what to expect but visiting it really put my mind at ease.

“It was an emotional experience feeling like ‘yes, this is where my child would fit in’.”

“We just found out that he got his place at the specialist school we wanted… He starts in a couple of weeks! It was such a relief that I cried with joy when they told me. We’re thrilled he’ll be in a school that can support him fully.”