Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
My child, a daughter, has just been diagnosed with ASD is in year 6, is meeting educational requirements. The diagnosis is so new to us that we are trying to work out exactly all the issues and how to help her etc -although anxiety is a big one. She seems to enjoy being by herself on the weekends. It could be that she is masking a lot at school but she insists that she does not find the classroom too noisy/busy. She likes to manage herself.
We had considered that maybe the local state school would be good for her since she could get conveniently lost and mage herself but I have read some of the other threads on this website and seems to suggest that it can be really overwhelming for them.
We are very lucky to be able to afford a private education. In the next couple of weeks we would need to decide whether to start high school in year 7 or wait until year 9. Also we would need to decide whether she goes co ed or girls only school
Some people have suggested that it is better for ASD children to start in year 7 so that they have a good 3 years to get used to the high school before they need to concentrate on GCSes. They suggest that if the kids start at year 9, they only have one year to get used to the school and the other children. Other people say if they seem happy at their primary school keep them there and wait until they are a bit older/mature.
I would really welcome any comments from the community on whether to move her at year 7 or year 9 and whether to go co-ed or girls only school. I have read that ASD girls often hang out with the boys as they get older because the girls are a bit complicated for them??? I suspect that I may ask a lot of questions over the coming weeks
Warmest regards
only you can make the decision because only you know your daughter however personally I would definitely choose a school with boys and girls, so it gives her the option of hanging out with both. moving her in year 7 is definitely the better option as it gives her time to settle in and for the school to put things in place for her before she starts the important years (GCSE's), also if your daughter finds socializing hard (i know I do) then it will be even worse in year 9 because everyone will already have friendship groups so probably best if she starts with everyone else in year 7?
if you can afford to send her to a private school then that is great however I go to a state school and they are very supportive of me so don't completely rule it out.
have you looked around any secondary schools? perhaps make a list of a few that you and your daughter like and then ask if you can have a meeting with someone from the AEN department. i know you said your daughter likes to manage herself and it's great that she can do that but I'm sure you and her would like to know what support is there for her if she does find things particularly difficult and then you can make an educated decision.
was that any help?
Alisha xx