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A whole new world

NAS77901

This week we finally got the Autism diagnosis for my 17 year old son, after years of him being dismissed as an anxious child or shy. I am going between pure anger that my concerns were dismissed for so long by schools and GPs and that he was alienated by children his age, and happiness that we have a diagnosis.

My question is what now? He sits his Alevels in May but has barely attended college for months. His college tutors keep emailing him asking where he is and I've been explaining for months that he is being assessed but also has OCD. I feel like nobody understands what I've been saying. He is incredibly bright so will pass his exams but actually sitting them could be a challenge. His GCSEs didn't happen because of COVID.

My mind is confused- what do we need to do re his future. I'm just lost :-(

Parents

  • Now that your son has a clinical diagnosis, his college is mandated by law to review how your son can be accommodated so that his disability (and autism is classed as a disability) does not disadvantage him relative to his non-disabled peers. The college should put accommodations in place for him to sit his exams in as stress-free a way as possible. This should include being in a smaller room by himself, or with a few other students with similar difficulties. The expectation that autistic teenagers can perform to their best in large halls filled with other anxious teenagers is not reasonable. If the school/college has to provide extra invigilators, then it just has to, otherwise it is being discriminatory.

  • in reply to Martin

    This will be my first step after half term. I think I've been thinking long term but this answer has massively helped me to focus! Thank you :-)

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