• Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 74 subscribers
  • Views 250 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

GCSE Revision Aids

Daddy

Dear all, 

My son, is first year GCSE student at a mainstream secondary comprehensive school. He has autism. The school arranged a presentation for parents, to make them aware of the main curriculum, exam mock  papers, revision tips  and  intended to raise awareness so child can be supported at home. Not surprising, it lacked information for parents on a considerable number of SEN students the school has, while SENCO was present if parents wanted to discuss anything.  The school also provided an estimated minimum grade for parents. 

Revision tips included recommended revision aid books, practicing past papers, flash cards, developing a timetable for revision. 

With my son, his estimated minimum grades were 3 (he is foundation level for all of his subjects and he is doing a few level 1/2 subjects as well). My aim is for him to aim for Grade 5, which would be an amazing achievement for him. 

I went on-line to check if there were revision aids for SEN, and there are non. All revision aids appear to be written for neurotypical students and none for neurodivergent students, I can buy revision flash cards, but he may find them overwhelming, but I guess I won't know if I try. 

Motivation is a big challenge with my son, but when he puts his mind to it, he can fulfill any task. He attends after school homework club, and likes to chill at home. I am trying to explain the concept of revision with him, and practicing past papers. I would be prepared to pay tuition for him (online or face to face), if I could find the right one who has experience with working with SEN children. 

For parents who have been through the GCSE journey, is there any tips you can recommend for revision? Are you aware of any revision aids and resources for neurodivergent children? Perhaps blank flash cards for him ti write his own (but I am unsure if that will work, as he may just copy without thinking about what he is writing). Is there any approach that has worked for your child's revision? 

I have discussed this with my daughter who is doing her A-levels, and what approach would work. She is busy with her studies with final year A-levels, and both myself & wife work full-time, so time in the evenings can be challenging (as I am doing a Masters at work), but I would be prepared to explore new approaches and make sacrifices  so  that he can fulfill his full potential. 

I am struggling with this, as this is my first experience with a neurodivergent child. Just want to hear from other parents what worked for them with revision techniques and any resources that can help. 

Thank you in advance .

Regards

Wajid (dad)

Parents

  • I am autistic myself. I would just like to say that, in retrospect, all the 'make or break' exams that I took (I pursued education as far as a PhD) and agonised over, were not. I have friends who did not shine academically at school who went on to be hugely successful in life. 

    My two children, one autistic the other an ADHDer, had very different approaches to revision. The autistic one was enormously diligent, putting a lot of effort into very structured revision. The ADHDer did not seem to have a clue as to what revision was or how to go about it. He just winged it, relying on native wit to get through exams. In the end they both achieved 1st class degrees. Sometimes you cannot change the fundamental nature of your children, and sometimes it does not matter.

Reply

  • I am autistic myself. I would just like to say that, in retrospect, all the 'make or break' exams that I took (I pursued education as far as a PhD) and agonised over, were not. I have friends who did not shine academically at school who went on to be hugely successful in life. 

    My two children, one autistic the other an ADHDer, had very different approaches to revision. The autistic one was enormously diligent, putting a lot of effort into very structured revision. The ADHDer did not seem to have a clue as to what revision was or how to go about it. He just winged it, relying on native wit to get through exams. In the end they both achieved 1st class degrees. Sometimes you cannot change the fundamental nature of your children, and sometimes it does not matter.

Children
No Data