SUPPORT AT SCHOOL- MASKING

Linda 3 months ago

Hiya.

So Im AuDHD and my children are awaiting autism diagnosis.

I'm high masking and my son is high masking. Someone help me understand the school.

They say they have a good understanding of masking and the detrimental affect it can have. And support based on needs. ....OK great. How can the school support my Son to possibly unmask more? ...there response "we don't see it so can't offer support"

I explained I know you don't. That's why it's called masking but we have discussing this for a year. I have provided alot of information on his needs.

How can a school say they Will support children who mask, but only if they see it? How can I make them see it.

I'm so confused.

Who sets these sort of rules?

Parents

Bunny 3 months ago

Hi Linda and welcome to the community.

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles with the school.

As you progress through the ECHP process - and also in respect of any further discussions with the school - you might find the practical advice in these resources helpful:

NAS - Extra help at school in England

NAS - Resolving differences in England with schools, local or education authorities

In the meantime, perhaps it might help his teachers to better understand your son's difficulties if he used a stress scale or help card at school:

NAS - Different behaviour between school and home

Reply

Bunny 3 months ago

Hi Linda and welcome to the community.

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles with the school.

As you progress through the ECHP process - and also in respect of any further discussions with the school - you might find the practical advice in these resources helpful:

NAS - Extra help at school in England

NAS - Resolving differences in England with schools, local or education authorities

In the meantime, perhaps it might help his teachers to better understand your son's difficulties if he used a stress scale or help card at school:

NAS - Different behaviour between school and home

Children

Linda 3 months ago in reply to Bunny

Thanks for your reply. Thank you for the links. I actually studied under Tony attwood years ago at university doing my under graduate degree. I question if I could be neurodiverse at that time. But later diagnosis wasn't a thing then. I might even attempt to email him for more info.

It's a bit of a mess really. The school recognizes him on the Sen register due to his selective mutism diagnosis through SALT. But they won't acknowledge any of his autistic traits in any real way. Additionally they haven't followed the SALT plan. I emailed then speech and language team last night highlighting this. I emailed sendias and have now but a SPA referral for the cluster. And the GP has agreed to do the RTC referral. And the referral has been accepted. They accept he wears leggings to school but won't formally acknowledge his sensory issues. They will add it to a pupil passport but won't offer any support.

Round and round we go.

I think I need more evidence for an ehcp. I looked into a private OT assessment....but this out of my budget. Additionally both my children have a strong fear of being perceived. And they switch almost instantly. I do it myself though. So observations need to be done knowing he has an awareness of being perceived.