Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi All
I am hoping you can help me.
My son (8 - nearly 9) has been referred for ASD assessment. The waiting lists where we live are so long they won't even give a timescale.
We are struggling with school as he doesn't want to go most days. The SEN lead at the school won't meet with me, the best i've managed is two emails. Both emails chasing up whether we have heard back from the GP ref. a date for assessment yet.
They have put into place a transition task in the morning, which worked for a week before he no longer wanted to go.
Some days are fine, he will protest, but will go in. Other days are horrendous... refusal to get up, get ready, or even eat anything... lots of tears, and having to be coaxed in through reception to hang with the lovely office staff just to get him in.
I don't know how i can help him.... There are other issues, also around extreme emotions, but most of the time I can talk him down after a bit of coaxing... but the school issues seem to be getting worse.
How can I get the school to do more without the diagnosis? And then, what more can they actually do?
People keep talking about an EHCP, is this something I should be applying for?
I'm completely lost and don't know how to help him :-(
It's worth noting, I don't believe there is anything happening at school to be concerned about. As far as I am aware he isn't bullied (though doesn't have a strong friend group, never has as hes not very well rounded socially). Whenever we ask how his day went, we always ghet the standard 'Good' answer...
Thank you so much for any advice you can share.
Hi Em137,Sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time with your son's schooling and getting the school to provide SEN support. We do have information here on the NAS site about education for children on the autism spectrum you might want to have a look through. The education hub is here - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education - and you can find information about getting extra help at school, including EHCP plans, in this section - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/extra-help-at-school
The disability charity Scope has some useful information as well on SEN support - https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/where-to-get-educational-support/ and finding support services before your child has a diagnosis - https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/find-support-services-before-child-diagnosed/. This mentions that 'Your child can still get SEN Support without a diagnosis', so if they are refusing to meet with you until your son has an assessment, you may want to raise this with the school's head teacher. There is more information on this and a template letter here - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/extra-help-at-school/england We also have a section on attendance problems/school refusal for parents - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/attendance-problems/parents - which includes strategies to discuss with the school to try and provide a more welcoming environment. And if you continue to have problems with communication with the school or feel they aren't providing sufficient support, there are also sections on resolving differences - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/resolving-differences Hope this is of some help,Ross - mod