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PLEASE - Son diagnosed autistic 14 now struggling re statement

Happy

My son was diagnosed autistic in May 12 aged 14. I pushed for this after many years of problems. He has never been picked up in school - - - long story and now we have so much ground to make up.

This is a very late diagnosis and his education to date has been nothing less than a torment and frustration to him.... now we know why. My son is below average in all subjects and considerably below in others - though he is intelligent and capable in other settings. Further my son refuses school and sometimes walks out. He is not badly behaved he is simply unable to manage. His experiences of education to date are poor, he recieves repeated negatiuve feedback, is often called lazy, manipulative and stubborn. 

My question is do I push for a statement? 

I have requested the SENCO at school refer my son for statement though I cannot help feeling she is being obstructive. She has written that staementing process is very different these days and school can meet most childrens needs within budget etc. She has questioned my son's diagnosis in both her emails, asking who did it, when etc. It is clear she thinks I have told lies???? I have no idea what the agenda is here...

Why do I want a statement:

Because my son is going into year 10 in Sept and only has 2 years of formal education left.

He has a great deal to make up and it is clear he has a range of difficulties thriving or making progress in his everyday school environment without more help. 

Although school have been helpful nothing seems joined up or focused. My sons low moral, underachievement etc are evidence that they are not aware of his specific needs & nor are there any specific targeted plans to help him. 

Maybe, just maybe, if my son has a thourough assessment and an education plan tailored to his needs + support then he might experience the joy of education that many of his peers enjoy. Maybe his new experiences will influence his future choices about further education and most importantly improve his life chances in the long run. 

I would love to know what other people think... Time is of the eccence and I have nobody objective with knowledge of this area to bounce off.

Any information is better than nothing

Thanks Thanks 

Parents

  • Hi Happy,

    I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome aged 17, just as I began the final year of 6th form.

    My school were no help until I was diagnosed, and even afterwards, outside of the SEN department only two or three teachers adjusted their teaching patterns or took the time out to help me with the areas I struggled with. There was a prevailing sense of 'shes managed all these years, so why change?'

    And this is from a school with an Autistic specialist unit.

    Don't let them stop you getting a statement for your son, with a statement, they'll be legally obliged to help him, without, they will only help him out when they feel charitable i.e. rarely to never, unless they have an Ofsted inspection.

    Teachers ignorance, and even teaching assistants ignorance, is shocking. When I first told my headteacher I may have Aspergers (I wanted to know the options available for me) he told me 'I doubt it, and it can't be that bad'.......yeah, because being overlooked and overworked for six years and suffering from depression 'wasn't that bad'. So don't take their word for it! Keep pushing!

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  • Hi Happy,

    I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome aged 17, just as I began the final year of 6th form.

    My school were no help until I was diagnosed, and even afterwards, outside of the SEN department only two or three teachers adjusted their teaching patterns or took the time out to help me with the areas I struggled with. There was a prevailing sense of 'shes managed all these years, so why change?'

    And this is from a school with an Autistic specialist unit.

    Don't let them stop you getting a statement for your son, with a statement, they'll be legally obliged to help him, without, they will only help him out when they feel charitable i.e. rarely to never, unless they have an Ofsted inspection.

    Teachers ignorance, and even teaching assistants ignorance, is shocking. When I first told my headteacher I may have Aspergers (I wanted to know the options available for me) he told me 'I doubt it, and it can't be that bad'.......yeah, because being overlooked and overworked for six years and suffering from depression 'wasn't that bad'. So don't take their word for it! Keep pushing!

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