• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 68 subscribers
  • Views 2418 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
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

Autistic Child Falling Rapidly Behind At School

Jim Batch

Hello

I have a 6 year old son who has been diagnosed with autism and has an EHCP in place. He goes to a mainstream school. 

The support the school have accessed through the EHCP seems to focus on managing and preventing his 'meltdowns', but there seems to be little effort made to actually teach him. Other students his age are spelling words such as 'annoyed' whereas my son cannot spell three letter words. 

He's a very intelligent and imaginative little boy, but unfortunately the school lack the ability to handle his condition; I do have sympathy with this, they try their best and his teachers love my son.

My question is, what next? 

Do I accept that my son cannot learn given his current setup, or are there support services available around education? 

We're at a desperate and emotional stage and just want him to have a good life; we already feel like we're failing him and he's only 6 

Thanks in advance.

  • change schools. the NAS may have resources to help with that. You are in the fright place. approach them with your concerns.

  • Hi,

    1. I'm reading your comments and it has been 5 years since you asked this question originally. Just wondering how is your child doing now? Is he able to things at school like his peers? I'm enquiring coz my daughter is 6 years old and recently diagnosed with ASD, she is also behind in her studies and I am wondering when will she have the burst of catch-up? I will appreciate your reply. Thanks 
  • in reply to Former Member

    Thanks Graham, great advice! 

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hello,

    I’m not the parent of an autistic child, so I can’t give you first hand advice, but NAS does offer a parent to parent service which you can find here. The NAS helpline can be found here. Child Autism UK also have a helpline, you can find it here.

    You may also find a parent support group in your area that has members with knowledge of local educational policy and experience of the autistic learning curve.

    I do know that autistic children can often have a burst of catching up with their literacy skills between the ages of 6 - 8 years old.