Aspergers syndrome and SEN support

Helping families secure appropriate educational support for children with Asperger’s syndrome.

The right SEN support can help children with Asperger’s syndrome access education on an equal basis.

Asperger’s syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Children are diagnosed with Asperger’s rather than another ASD if they have age-appropriate language skills and intellectual ability. The key distinction is the absence of a learning difficulty, meaning Asperger’s and high-functioning autism can present very similarly.

Children with Asperger’s syndrome may appear overly mature but can struggle to express themselves, especially emotions, and to understand verbal and non-verbal communication. They may develop intense interests and find it hard to think flexibly.

Boyes Turner’s specialist SEN solicitors support families with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including assessments, reviews and appeals. This page explains Angelman syndrome in an educational context, how it can affect children, when an EHCP may be required, and how our expert SEN team can help secure appropriate support.

Trusted and nationally recognised special educational needs specialists with decades of experience.
Clear, practical support at every stage, helping families navigate complex SEN processes.

Extensive experience across all SEN appeals, including EHCPs, school placements, and SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Transparent and flexible fee structures, including capped fee options where appropriate.

Why might a child with Asperger’s syndrome need an EHCP?

An EHCP is often necessary when a child’s needs require specialist, long-term support beyond what a school can provide, for example:

Structured social skills support
Therapy access (speech and language, occupational therapy, counselling)
Classroom adaptations
Specialist placements

EHCP support and benefits for children with Asperger’s syndrome

An EHCP can provide legally enforceable support tailored to a child’s individual needs. For a child with Asperger’s syndrome, this may include:

tailored teaching strategies and classroom support
support with communication and social interaction
sensory adjustments and a suitable learning environment
help with emotional regulation and managing anxiety
specialist input from education, health or care professionals.

Asperger’s syndrome FAQs

What is Asperger’s syndrome?

It is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, behaviour, and learning. Each child’s experience varies, but in all cases Asperger’s syndrome results in special educational needs (SEN).

Some children do well with SEN support, while others need an EHCP to secure the right level of specialist provision. Careful assessment of the impact of the child’s needs is essential, and specialist SEN advice should be sought.

How does Asperger’s syndrome affect a child's behaviour?

Children may:

Struggle with social interactions or communication
Prefer routines and predictability
Become anxious or frustrated in busy or unpredictable settings
Focus intensely on specific interests

Behaviour that appears challenging is often a response to difficulties with communication, understanding social cues, or coping with change.

What other needs can children with Asperger’s syndrome have?

Many children have additional needs such as:

Attention or learning difficulties
Anxiety or emotional challenges
Sensory processing issues
Language or communication difficulties

Addressing these needs is crucial to supporting a child’s progress.

How do you apply for an EHCP for a child with Asperger's syndrome?

Parents can request an EHC needs assessment. Local authorities assess whether an EHCP is required using evidence from teachers, therapists, and healthcare professionals. If a plan is refused or does not meet the child’s needs, specialist SEN advice should be sought.

What happens if my child with Asperger's syndrome doesn’t have an EHCP?

Support may be inconsistent or limited. Schools have finite resources, and local authorities have no legal obligation to provide extra support outside standard SEN provisions. This can impact learning, confidence, and overall progress.

What can I do if I’m unhappy with my child’s EHCP or the local authority’s decision?

You may be able to challenge decisions including:

Appeals are usually made to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). Legal advice can help ensure challenges are properly prepared and focused on securing appropriate provision.

How can solicitors help families and children with Asperger's syndrome?

SEN solicitors guide families through the EHCP process, ensure evidence is considered, and challenge inadequate or refused provision. Early and effective legal support can make a significant difference to a child’s education.

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Specialist experience in SEN law: Our solicitors have extensive experience advising families on the full range of special educational needs legal processes. Our expertise ensures you receive clear, accurate advice grounded in a detailed understanding of the law and how local authorities apply it in practice.

Focused, practical solutions: We take the time to understand your child’s individual needs and circumstances. Our advice is tailored to help you secure the right support, whether that means strengthening an EHCP, challenging inadequate provision, or appealing a local authority decision.

Supportive and collaborative approach: The SEN process can be overwhelming. We work closely with families, schools, professionals and other advisers to ensure all evidence and communication is aligned and coherent. This collaborative approach helps streamline the process and strengthens your case.

A leading full-service law firm: Boyes Turner is recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading law firm. As a full-service firm, our specialist teams can support you with related legal needs where required, including Court of Protection, community care, medical negligence and private wealth, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to your care.

Contact us

If you would like advice about a related matter, please complete the form and one of our SEN specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.

Please note we do not offer legal aid. Read about our fees.

Or give us a call:

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

Laxmi helped with my son tribunal case in regard to section I of his EHCP. Our tribunal got brought forward by 6 months early, not giving us much time to get everything in place. Laxmi was great and said we can do it even with just little time left to get prepared and ready for the Tuesday. As a parent, I didn’t know what we needed to send or do, Laxmi took the time to explain everything to us and what we needed to do to prepare for the tribunal. Laxmi went above and beyond to help us and successfully won getting the school we needed for are son to start in September 2024. I would highly recommend Laxmi to take on the local authority in regard to any EHCP appeals. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.

Natalie

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

We were immediately impressed with James and our initial judgment proved correct as we went on to negotiate with Essex a care package for our daughter. Throughout the process, James supported us and was always on hand to give us excellent advice, source and guide an ISW in writing a report for us, and assist with crafting skilfully worded emails to the Authority. More importantly for us, James was always kind and understanding, and brought a wonderful sense of humour to our meetings. We feel most fortunate to have found him and would not hesitate to recommend him

Kitty Carrick

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

Laxmi’s exceptional understanding in SEN law combined with her professional, honest and empathic approach gave us the assurance that we had a solicitor who was and would continually do her best on our behalf. We would highly recommend any one seeking a SEN solicitor to use Laxmi.

David Bernstein

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

We would like to thank the Boyes Turner team, especially Janata Ali, for the exceptional support throughout the process. Just over a year ago we were lost and scared for our child’s future. It is a completely different reality today. Our child is much happier in the new school, with all the support and the quality of teaching, mentoring that he is receiving. It was the right battle to fight. It would not have been possible without Janata’s help, guidance, experience and commitment to our case. We are endlessly grateful, as this means that our child can have a better quality of life now and better prospects in the future.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

Janata Ali is an expert in n her field which resulted in us winning our case against the local authority to issue an EHCP for our son. Our son will hopefully now thrive and we will be forever grateful for her help and support with our case.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

James, Laxmi and Daisy, worked so Patrick’s case, due to his very complex profile we had to go through three tribunals. They all worked so hard to secure our son’s placement. I would most definitely recommend James and Laxmi to anyone wishing to pursue the right provision for their young person.

Cath and Phil

What our clients say

I’m thankful

I’m thankful that we found James, without him my son would have been abandoned by his Local Authority. Moving on from college is a stressful process for all the family, & Local Authority knows this & uses this to try & push parents to the limit, by ignoring their responsibility hoping that you will give up . In came James, took pressure off me & onto them . Highly recommend. We won , my son now can start his transition to his next chapter. Thank you.

Rebecca Wallace

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

We contacted Boyes Turner earlier this year after we ran into a dispute with our local authority. This was about a social care matter and learning disability. The case was handled with professionalism and tact. James was a pleasure to deal with. Clear communication, humour and detailed knowledge of the law in this area.

Andrew

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

The help and support we received from James for our son’s EHC plan has been absolutely invaluable. With his help, we were able to secure an outcome that suits our child. James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable and made a very stressful process much more manageable.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

James Pantling-Skeet helped us prepare my daughter’s EHCP to gain a good placement for the future. He was patient, extremely knowledgeable, had brilliant contacts, helped withe emotional upheaval and organised meetings with all parties to keep everything on track. We had the best outcome we could have had due to his professionalism. He was very caring too. He and his team worked tirelessly and answered our queries promptly. I would highly recommend their service.

Boyes Turner Client

Recognised leading UK law firm

Boyes Turner is consistently ranked as a leading law firm by top legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Aspergers syndrome and SEN support

The right SEN support can help children with Asperger’s syndrome access education on an equal basis.

Why might a child with Asperger’s syndrome need an EHCP?

EHCP support and benefits for children with Asperger’s syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome FAQs

Why use our special educational needs solicitors?

Contact us

0118 467 6547

Special educational needs insights

Our special educational needs solicitors

Laxmi Patel

James Pantling-Skeet

Rachael Allison

Emma Trevett

Steven Baylis

Janata Ali

Lacie Smith

Rachel Baxter

Daisy Fox-Clarkin

Libby Buxton

Amber Puri

Our SEN case studies

What our clients say

Tribunal for placement

What our clients say

We were immediately impressed

What our clients say

SEN Tribunal

What our clients say

Support with the EHCP appeal

What our clients say

SEN support for EHCP

What our clients say

I would most definitely recommend

What our clients say

I’m thankful

What our clients say

James was a pleasure to deal with

What our clients say

James was knowledgeable but at the same time very approachable

What our clients say

Guiding us through EHCP and transition

Recognised leading UK law firm

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