Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello readers. I would just like to tell everyone my postion in life and what it is like.
So, I'm 14 years of age and in year 10 at school, I was told I had HFA (high functioning austism) in year 6, my teacher assistant tried explaining it to me but I didn't understand what is was. Anyway in the beginning of high school, school changed my life completely, by the end of year 7 I couldn't bare school. in the whole of year 7 and the beginning half of year 8 I had only a brief idea that I was actually autistic. The further I progressed through year 8 the more I hated school, life in fact. It got worse and wosre untill I couldnt bare it, I stopped going to school and refused to go at all, eventually they made me go to these ASC meetings once a week with 2 other students. It taught me about autisium and made me feel more like myself. Well now in 2016 my life is going back on the tracks of what it was. I have a load of students in my class who don't give a toss about theirs or anyone's education, I have a teacher who is on my back all the time and is conslatly picking on me. Anyway it goes on and on in more detail why I hate school. I don't want anyone to think im a bad person or a naughty student because I'm not, I care about my education and my impression towards other people.
Anyway the point im trying to make is that autsitum has ruined my life to some degree and if anyone out there has been told they have it, good luck, becuase theres more disvantages than advantages.
-Bob Jones
Hi Bob
Before I get told off by the Mods for replying (!) please don't lose heart - my daughter also struggles with Maths and English due to 'executive functioning issues' but she is better with more practical subjects. You too will have a gift and you need to exploit this and make use of it in some way. You can always do 're-takes' at college and this is encouraged by colleges now - you might just need more time to process things, and that's ok - you WILL get there even if it takes a little longer - remember the 'hare and the tortoise' story! You will also find that college is more helpful and treats teenagers better, so make sure you really look into the kind of support they can offer you - look at a few colleges and ask your careers advisor for help. Also try to find a caring teacher at your school ( there must be some!!) whom you can turn to for support - that is their job!
No need to reply as I don't want you to get into trouble, but don't give up - you will find your niche. All the best!
Oh well that's great. Thanks National Austism Society! Thank you for the helpful replys, 2 out of 3 of them.
Hi Bob,
It's great that you have had the confidence to share your experiences, however, the forum is only available to users who are 16 years old and over. I am going to ask if there are some alternative forums you can use that are appropriate to your age.
Thanks,
Sofie Mod
Reply #1: Thank you for the book suggestion Recombinantsocks, I will be looking into buying it. I have only read a few books on austism in a libary and have never owned one, maybe I should start by buying the one you suggested. Thank you.
Reply #2: My parents don't really appreciate me talking about austism so I don't bring it up. I uset to have a TA in my school who would give me the meetings which I mentioned in my post ( the ASC meetings with the 2 other students) but he left in the end of year 9. When you mentioned about finding the advantages of autsism I have found only intrests, for example I have a great intrests in many subjects at school like history and science but I'm rubbish at them. For about 5 years of schooled education I have been in the lowest set in every core subject, I'm rubbish at maths, English and all the rest. I try to be good at these subjects but I'm bad, at this day and age I'm realising that why should I bother. My school is getting wosre (when I say it's getting wosre I mean by the whole school and not just my opinion of it) and I'm also getting closer and closer to GCSE. Thank you for replying though, it's very helpful and I hope your daughter does well and stays motivatied.
You know it's good to speak to people about this, even if its on the Internet and I have no idea who they are. So thank you for the replys.
Sorry to hear you are having some negative experiences connected with your autism. My daughter (16 now) has had similar problems like you. Teens in Year 10 should be starting to mature and realise that they need to knuckle down and get an education, like you have realised! Do you have someone ( in the SENCO dept or family/someone you trust) that you can talk to about your frustrations?
R'soxs is right - we all have choices, we all have strengths and weaknesses and people with autism can use their gifts to their advantage - you sound like you just need a bit of support and guidance. My daughter had a rough ride in Y9 especially but she is 'turning this around' with support.
Life is the sum of all your choices - Albert Camus
Autism is an extra difficulty to be faced but you can choose how you face that difficulty. If you lie down and give in to it then it can walk all over you but if you don't lie down then how can it walk over you?
When I first discovered that I had HFA/Aspergers I was lucky that the first thing that I read was a book by Valeie Gaus who shows how you can manage your challenges and make the most of things. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Well-Spectrum-Challenges-High-Functioning/dp/1606236342