Transition to college

Hi - my son is autistic and also has Selective Mutism and has social anxiety. He has previously been attending college but eventually it was too much for him. I empathise with your daughter because I know just how hard it is to be in busy educational settings when you have these challenges. My son tried so hard to keep attending college but it was putting too much pressure on him and was affecting his mental health. So stressful. We are just investigating online learning options - but at the moment he’s just so relieved to have the pressure lifted off him. I wish you and your daughter luck - and I’m here for you if you want to talk. Selective Mutism is such a challenging thing. x 

Thanks for the reply Kate. So has your son been able to just drop out of college?  I wasn't sure that's possible but I'm worried it's the situation that we'll end up in. 

Hi

Yes - my son has temporarily dropped out of college. Does your daughter have an EHCP?
We are planning on looking into online options but at the moment my son is experiencing burnout and he just needs to prioritise his mental health and well being. I don’t want to rush him as our priority is his health and well being. Education is important but in our view it doesn’t come before health.  Your daughter does not t have to go to college if it’s too much for her and if she isn’t getting the support she needs. What does your daughter want to do? 

I'm sorry to hear that you had such problems trying to get your son the support he needs in an educational setting. I really hope that he is able to find an environment in which he can achieve his potential.

I experience situational mutism too, mainly in group settings and on the phone. My time in secondary school and 6th form college was filled with constant fear, in case the teacher might ask me a question. I began to avoid attending lessons where I knew that was likely to happen. Also I could not speak up and ask if I needed something.

I'm now a strong believer that autistic people should have the right to communicate in whatever way works best for them in all settings and situations. Society places far too much emphasis on and expectations around spoken words. In our modern technological world there are plenty of alternative methods and AAC devices. 

I don't know if you've seen the Aucademy videos on situational mutism? They use that term rather than selective, as it isn't something that is voluntary. They give a good insight into the autistic experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khoFGJG4xsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ44rHvSdMg

I'm sorry to hear that you had such problems trying to get your son the support he needs in an educational setting. I really hope that he is able to find an environment in which he can achieve his potential.

I experience situational mutism too, mainly in group settings and on the phone. My time in secondary school and 6th form college was filled with constant fear, in case the teacher might ask me a question. I began to avoid attending lessons where I knew that was likely to happen. Also I could not speak up and ask if I needed something.

I'm now a strong believer that autistic people should have the right to communicate in whatever way works best for them in all settings and situations. Society places far too much emphasis on and expectations around spoken words. In our modern technological world there are plenty of alternative methods and AAC devices. 

I don't know if you've seen the Aucademy videos on situational mutism? They use that term rather than selective, as it isn't something that is voluntary. They give a good insight into the autistic experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khoFGJG4xsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ44rHvSdMg