Can I refuse my son taking his GCSE

I'll pass your post to our campaigns team Longman. 

Question to NAS Moderators:

The Government is trying to reduce the numbers of disabled on benefits or disability support.

Yet judging from so many experiences recorded in this forum, like Cocopops above, young people on the spectrum are allowed to fall out of education in this way.

Is NAS campaigns aware of this phenomenon? And is NAS tackling the Government to do something about it? 

Is NAS represented on the Fulfilling Potential Forum yet? Is this a mechanism that could be used to flag up the numbers of young people on the spectrum being kept out of education in this way?

My sons been out of school for 2years, he has know been diagnoised recently although I have been up and down school for years saying something was wrong, he is bright enough to sit his gcse but because he is housebound can't take them, the school has not contacted us for over 1 1/2 years now, not even asking if he is ok, I have spent endless hours worrying about his future without exams and have now come to terms with what will be, will be, that by no means I'm giving up on him, just that we will have to find a way for him to go forward without them, legally it has not been an issue that he has not taken them, and as the welfare officer is as uninterested as the school i am not expecting  it to become one, I'm doing what I feel is best for my son and finally feel strong enough to follow my gut instincts :-)

What's an SEN Adviser?

At least they should be a qualified teacher and have some teaching experience. But they may have done a postgraduate course in Special Education Needs www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/.../SpecialEducationalNeedsTeacher.aspx  (unfortunately I cannot get this link to run, don't know why not - so try accessing through National Careers Service)

It is important that you find out the qualifications and experience of SEN advisers - don't be overawed by them.

The amount of exposure to autism on basic teaching qualifications may be a couple of days. The books usually accessible to them are minimal as well. Unless they have specialised in autism it is likely they will know very little.

And let's face it there's an awful lot of SEN conditions out there for them to get their heads round, and most of their experience will be dyslexia.

As IntenseWorld points out, as parents you need to get savvy about what real knowledge of autism most professionals, including "gatekeepers" are likely to have.

I'm pretty horrified by the OP's description of the SEN teacher being adamant his son was just lazy. That was unprofessional - even if it was the case I'd expect something a sight more constructive from an SEN teacher.

I also support IntenseWorld's point about children concealing their difficulties in school. Most people on the spectrum suffered badly throughout their schooling from bullying, but not the conventional two or three roughs stealing smaller kids pocket money. People on the spectrum may have odd facial expressions, poor eye contact, stims, clumsiness etc which will be perceived by their peers as a source of entertainment. In such an environment most such kids strive to be noticed as little as possible.

So it is very likely that they will let fly their distress at home and not disclose much of it at school.

Have you done anything to establish to what extent your sons (OP and other contributors) are enduring bullying, even if it just looks to teachers and ham SENs like ribbing or teasing. When it arises from disability teasing is abuse.

That's not what I said though.

Although I personally believe schools should have the awareness to raise concerns about potential autism in children, that is not their remit.

So what I'm saying by that, is that schools should have sufficient training to advise parents to request referral for assessment from their GP, the ultimate responsibility lies with the parents - who have legal parental responsibility for their child.

Many autistic children mask their traits pretty well at school, so staff wouldn't get to see the full range, such as the meltdowns, that the family see at home where the child feels safe enough to release the stress of the day.  The government states that parents are experts in their own children.

My eldest child is 12, and I have been battling for about 5 years until she was diagnosed, the SENCo and the LA EP said she didn't show any signs (in those days I thought it was them that did the ASC assessment).  Their training is wholly insufficient and they aren't aware of anything other than the most basic and stereotypical views of what autism is.  If a child is high-functioning and autistic, they may perform academically adequately (or at least demonstrate the intelligence is there to be able to) but their traits which cause day-to-day difficulties can get attributed to other causes.  It's not right, but unless every teacher and SENCo has really in-depth (almost clinical level) training, which isn't happening any time soon, parents have to take the lead.

Autism isn't a medical problem, it's a neurological difference.

Personally Ido not believe it is only up to parents to decide that there is a problem with their child, don't get me wrong, we do notice something is wrong, but when a SEN advisor, who is meant to be a specialist in this area, and gets paid a hell of a lot of money to do so, tells you your child is just lazy, anyone who isn't an expert has a tendency to believe them. I thought my son may have a form of dyslexia and though this would be up to an educational advisor to diagnose. I didn't for 1 minute think it may be a medical problem. And as such, why should I, as a parent, go to a DR when I didn't think it was a medical problem in the first place. Surely the SEN advisor should be trained to a high enough level to pick out these problems, is that not what they are paid for. 

Hi,

I agree it's not down to schools to diagnosis ASD in their pupils but they should act on information and advice they obtain from the professionals who do.

My sons school is an Acadamy and they seem to have their own rules.  The LEA do have provisions but Academies have to pay for their services so some pupils do not get the support they need.  In my opinion acadamies are all about good GCSE results not under academic achievers.

Its GCSE time, my son hasn't attended school since January they haven't been in touch, no special consideration to help him get in to sit exams.  I've given up.  He's even been missed out of the end of year book because he didn't go in to get his photo taken(too stressfull for him).

Although I personally believe schools should have the awareness to raise concerns about potential autism in children, that is not their remit.

It would be down to the parents to raise concerns with a GP or other health professional to get referral for ASC assessment.  Schools are not health professionals and when they clearly haven't been listening to concerns, parents need to take matters into their own hands.

The school have certainly failed in their legal duty regarding his education however.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/9
 
9 Pupils to be educated in accordance with parents’ wishes.

In exercising or performing all their respective powers and duties under the Education Acts, the Secretary of [F1State and local education authorities]shall have regard to the general principle that pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents, so far as that is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure. 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/7 

7 Duty of parents to secure education of children of compulsory school age. 

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—

(a)to his age, ability and aptitude, and

(b)to any special educational needs he may have,

either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/13A 

F1 13A Duty to promote high standards in primary and secondary education. 

(1)A local education authority shall ensure that their functions relating to the provision of education to which this section applies are (so far as they are capable of being so exercised) exercised by the authority with a view to promoting high standards.

(2)This section applies to education for—

(a)persons of compulsory school age (whether at school or otherwise); and

(b)persons of any age above or below that age who are registered as pupils at schools maintained by the authority;

and in subsection (1) “functions” means functions of whatever nature.]

Regarding GCSE's, I found this:

http://www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk/home/learningzone/study_guide/your_choices_in_year_9/what_s_compulsory_and_what_s_optional.htm

What's compulsory?

Some subjects are compulsory because they cover essential knowledge and skills that everyone needs for the future.

The subjects you'll have to take exams in are:

• English
• maths
• science

This usually means GCSEs, but these subjects may also be available at entry level.

There is also a lot of information about GCSE's here: http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/gcses

Hi,

I've just read your situation with your son, its very similar to mine.  It's very frustrating when your child under achieves at school and its not their fault.  My sons school failed at identifying his ASD and even when he had a diagnosis it was too late for him to catch up.  He has a GCSE exam tomorrow and he has no intention of sitting it.  Don't panic, you need to get in touch with CAMHs who will do an ADOS test.  This can take months though.  If hes in year 11 I wouldn't put him through the stress of the exams.  Get in touch with your local careers advisers they will help you make sure he gets the support he needs after school.  All kids now have to achieve level 2 in maths and English and this can be done after school.  Defiantly get the parent partnership group on board they are a great support especially with SEN.  My son will leave school with nothing as well its heartbreaking but theres life after school I'm determined he won't end up on the scrap heap because school didn't know how to support him.  Write to the governor's and Head with a complaint I found this helpful to get things off my chest.  Good Luck

Just had another thought.  If u can provide professional evidence supporting your belief that taking exams would be detrimental the school will have  no option but to take this on board.  There are educational and behavioural psychologists who do this privately and could give  you an assessment in a matter of weeks. Can be a bit pricey though.  Another option is to contact a solicitor who deals with these sorts of issues and see what they think.  A bit heavy handed but will show school you care and you are serious about your concerns.

In my experience the more evidence you have from professionals the greater your chances of being heard.   

There 're also  number of universities who do research in these  areas and there may be studies that your child could get involved in.  My children have helped in creating computer based games on social skills , nutrition studies and anxiety. 

Thanks, my worry is that he is so far behind and with only four months left till his exams it still won't be long enough to get him to a stage of where he can do well. I very much doubt we will get any support from his school if we say we want to concentrate on just one or two subjects. And with the time it will take to get a formal diagnosis we don't really have that leverage to put pressure on the school to do something and he will almost be ready to sit his exams by the time we get anywhere.

I'd reiterate my - maybe do a couple - resevation - not doing any can be a bigger set back.  

After several years of short term jobs and fruitless job searching I went to college for a year to pick up enough for mature student entry to University at 21. I never failed anything again, and did rather well on the whole with an upper second for my degree, and straight on to full time PhD.

Maybe if the strategy at the time of my O'Levels (Scottish) had been more realistic things might have worked out better, or maybe I wouldn't have tried so hard and gone as far.

My circumstances at school were grim (Dickensian.....) as is the lot of so many on the spectrum.

Thanks for your reply. Reading your post has just confirmed to me that I am correct in not letting my son take his GCSE. I do not want his confidence suffering anymore. my son has been convinced he is an idiot for the last few years but yesterday he had a massive grin on his face when we left the Dr's. He is really buzzing about the fact that he is not an idiot and that in itself has boosted his confidence even though its only one day. 

If you don't mind me asking, which route did you take to gaining a PhD? 

You should be able to secure an arrangement with the school to do just a small number this year and take a second run at more next year. After all, they must appreciate that if he tries do do the lot, and passes none, that would be the same situation more or less anyway.

But try not to just defer a year for the lot, because he is then learning with a different cohort one year behind, and that can be equally hard.

In my own circumstances I was set to fail and the school advised I should do only a few, and my parents insisted on the lot, 8 I reall, so I failed most of them, and that set me back enormously. Two more years set back a year and I got dribs and drabs but no real progress. I can witness to the damage it did me by pointing out I went on to get a PhD, but just a bit behind.

There is no shame in taking things bit by bit, especially if a diagnoses shows justification (I did not have that luxury). Quite a few students on the spectrum who make the grades and go to university still find it easier to take their final year in two parts.

The perception of some kind of petit mal seems not uncommon, but is more likely to be tuning out because of sensory overload. Some people blow up, others lock it in, and when the stress gets too much they seem to fade out. There have been a few posting in the past about this experience of seemingly lost time, but it is merely cognitive switch off and most people seem to carry on on autopilot, so it is only really the mind wandering as they say.

It does annoy me when schools make assessments they shouldn't. Not for them to say what the cause is.

Confidence though is vital. Low self esteem and low self confidence can do a lot more damage. Give some thought to him trying some GCSEs to prove himself, if that looks possible. Not doing this year, and then running into the same problems next year will undermine his confidence more.

College, being less interventionist and less peer pressured, may be the better study environment.

My approach would be to ask your child's gp, school and local authority of their opinion on the effect taking these exams are likely to have bearing in mind his predicted grades.  

Voice your concerns and that you feel uncomfortable with sitting at this time.  There are many students who defer exams because of ill health so there are provisions in place.  

In the meantime push for a diagnosis which may open more doors of support at college.

Good luck.

The best people to advise you on education rights like this are probably your local Parent Partnership Service. The school can give you the number, in fact they have to do that if you ask.

 If they can't answer, they will be able to direct you to an organisation that can.

If your son has no wish to complete these exams I don't see how they can force him anyway. Is he very compliant in school?

Would it be worth taking just one subject for him to study now to take this year so he is at least working on something for the next few months?

You've had this diagnosis at a very difficult time. Your emotional response to the news will be strong so you need to allow yourself to process what it means for your son and your family as a whole. It takes quite some coming to terms with.

You can ask the school to call in an advisor from your local authority autism team to advise them and you on the best way to support your son and what options are available to him. They may not want to because the school may have to pay for the service so don't take no for an answer.

I hope you find a good solution. 

The best people to advise you on education rights like this are probably your local Parent Partnership Service. The school can give you the number, in fact they have to do that if you ask.

 If they can't answer, they will be able to direct you to an organisation that can.

If your son has no wish to complete these exams I don't see how they can force him anyway. Is he very compliant in school?

Would it be worth taking just one subject for him to study now to take this year so he is at least working on something for the next few months?

You've had this diagnosis at a very difficult time. Your emotional response to the news will be strong so you need to allow yourself to process what it means for your son and your family as a whole. It takes quite some coming to terms with.

You can ask the school to call in an advisor from your local authority autism team to advise them and you on the best way to support your son and what options are available to him. They may not want to because the school may have to pay for the service so don't take no for an answer.

I hope you find a good solution. 

Home school wouldn't be possible but a tutor and going to college after the summer is what we were thinking. its his exams in the next few months that are worrying us now though. I personally think it would do him more harm than good if he is forced to sit them but am unsure if I have the right to say to the school that he will not be sitting them or if I will find myself in court for it.

Is home schooling  an option that is open to you?  My understanding is that a child must be educated and this can happen at home if it works for your child.  Or maybe a tutor may help.  Personally I would not want to put my son through stress of exams if he was likely to fail.  It could put him off trying again.