Hi my name is Matt, i have Autism Spectrum Disorder and learning disability, my question is how is somebody with this condition supposed to get around the road block of the education sysytem.
I left school four years ago and i'm currently not in college as of two years agos Cornwall College in St Austell, kicked me out because i wouldn't attend the Maths/English sessions, this was because i found it very overwelming and was not getting support. the course manager of ICT was the one behind this i was confronted over the Maths business, it was questioned as to why i was avoiding the subject he looks at me and hes like are you autistic i nodded and hes like OH WELL THAT EXPLAINS IT BUT YOU STILL NEED TO MEET OUR CRITERIA!
I'm aware ive got entry level 3 in Maths and level 1 functional skills in English but they want to keep pushing to get to those higher levels, for me this is not something i'm comfortable with, this is what im struggling with. the grades ive got are better than what i got in school and i feel like that is an achievement.
I've benn trying to apply for an apprenticeship at level 3 recently, and the college declined it , i do not hold a gcse/ equivalnt in these core subjects, thats why they're being funny, I also attempted applying for a level 2 apprenticeship and they said that i already had the qualifcation,
what i want to do is earn my self some poket money but get used to working a shop environment which ive never done before in my life, and the pratical side of working, not bum on seat in classroom copying from text books forever or taking exams forever im almost 21 years old, , all we did at college was 90% theory and im really frustrated at the excuses that are being made.
ive looked online and came accross something that the system is apprently changed to entry 3 at the minimum , giving fairer access to apprenticeships/ further training for people with learning disabilities/disabilites as of 2017 onwards "so they say" .
Ive also found this scheme where it says what each level means and what should be expected from at the specific level stated, for example "people who are below level 1 functional skills may not be able to compare prices, yet in the entry 3 that ive done and passed, it was based around real life, which covered comparing prices which i was fine with, funny thing is though when you get the real exams its nothing of what the scheme suggests.