Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone, never been on any forums before so please excuse me if I make a few errors. I'm struggling with my daughter who is currently attending or trying to attend college. She has been referred dor diagnosis but as yet still waiting. Meantime she struggles with a particular day ie Wednesday where she refuses to go in. I spoke to head of course and she was very reluctant to give daughter some quiet space to get on with her work, she ended up in reception doing her work. Her mentor says she not been diagnosed with ASD so cant do much to help her. I'm at my wits end and fear for her future prospects. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I write as a father of two daughters and three sons, the Youngest severely autisticnow age 35. also and one of his carers.
I can only suggest that you contact your GP and request him/Her to get a pediatric specialist ie neurologist, mental heath or what ever specialist they consider to examine your daughter, While she is still considered a Child, Seek help and Advice from your local CAB office in how to get your local Authority to fund any Extra Help your Daughter needs, that's why you will get stalling on your decisions,, having to allocate funding.
You should be able to request an assessment for her Education and expect the result within Weeks, Your CAB will Advise, If your Council then fails to act you should be able to challenge their decision with the Ombudsman.
Again the CAB will help, They may even advise as to a special solicitor dealing in such matters, and get help as she is a child from Legal Aid, hopefully, just make sure she does not have more in the bank as it will be again the CAB will advise on her assets limits for legal aid. Not Yours. Remember a solicitor needs to act for your daughter and not for you.
As her problem you relate to, is only Wednesday, could it be that, she is trying to avoid somebody, or a particular group, or teacher/s that may have ridiculed her. Have a look at her time table and see what happens on Wednesday, It may sports or similar, that may involve a shower,, and she is becoming a young lady with all the emotional happens that run rife with teen age girls. Gentle probing may uncover why she does not like Wednesday. If Necessary ask her to Draw the Days of the week, or write a story if she has a problem in telling you verbally what is the Matter. Keep any interesting replies, and make a note later in private of anything she may tell you, for your record purposes.
best of luck in you solving your daughter's Problem.
Hi NAS50183,
So sorry to hear that you are having a tough time with your daughter.
There's lots of information on our website about autism and education which you might find useful: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/in-education.aspx
You might like to consider contacting our Education Rights Service the details of which can be found here: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/education-rights.aspx
You could also contact our Autism Helpline team who can provide you with information and advice . You can contact the team via telephone on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm). The Helpline is often very busy and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor. Alternatively, should you prefer to send a message, you can do so via their webform:
https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/main/questions.aspx
Hopefully other members of the Community will also chip in with their advice.
Kind regards,
Kerri-Mod