SUPPORT AT SCHOOL- MASKING

Hi, I am having the same problem with my 2 children, in two different schools. I am also AUDHD, my daughter is autistic but only just become visible at the age of 15, was showing early signs during covid and my son is ADHD, no masking at home but does at school and my daughter heavily masks.

At home we have seen her decline rapidly over this last year which I think is due to pressure of GCSE's. I have spoken to the school and made an appointment with the head of SENCO. I was armed with a detailed list of her behaviour at home but was greeted with the same as you, well she doesn't show any signs at school and her grades are fine so I don't see a problem! Grrrr!!! How can they say her grades are fine when they don't know her potential.

This resulted in me doing lots of research and doing an Alevel on Autism which has helped a lot to recognise her individual traits that could be helped at school and how to help her. It's been hard for me as both kids have always seemed normal to me because they are just like me lol. 

Both kids are in process of being diagnosed but been told this could take years. I went back to daughters school with list of behaviours and told them I want her diagnosed and finally they agreed, I also went to my Dr to fast track through the right to choose pathway. If your school are saying they can't see it, present them with the information they need in writing and outline what reasonable adjustments the school can make to support your child, listing what they need to make them feel more comfortable and to support their learning.

As far as the school was concerned they had done there job and were not offering her any help as they didn't see she needed it. I sent an email, important to have everything with a paper trail, that said I want her to have support during her GCSE's and used the line 'It's not my daughters fault the waiting list for a diagnosis is so long and that you didn't spot her masking her symptoms at school. I want her to be treated fairly and offered her the support she needs in school as it is your duty to provide an education setting to meet her needs.' I asked for her to be allowed fidget toys in class, wear earplugs when needed to minimise distraction sounds from students around her (I chose calmer brand), to be allowed to access the toilet when she's feeling anxious to be able to reset and asked for her to have extra time to be able to read all the questions in her exams as I know she misses a lot as hyperfocuses on a question and looses track of time or panics and skips loads. She had to do a reading test for this and passed so is now allowed the extra time. I've also found the coloured reading overlays that was suggested by her Social Prescriber has really helped her reading focus.

Good luck x

Hi, I am having the same problem with my 2 children, in two different schools. I am also AUDHD, my daughter is autistic but only just become visible at the age of 15, was showing early signs during covid and my son is ADHD, no masking at home but does at school and my daughter heavily masks.

At home we have seen her decline rapidly over this last year which I think is due to pressure of GCSE's. I have spoken to the school and made an appointment with the head of SENCO. I was armed with a detailed list of her behaviour at home but was greeted with the same as you, well she doesn't show any signs at school and her grades are fine so I don't see a problem! Grrrr!!! How can they say her grades are fine when they don't know her potential.

This resulted in me doing lots of research and doing an Alevel on Autism which has helped a lot to recognise her individual traits that could be helped at school and how to help her. It's been hard for me as both kids have always seemed normal to me because they are just like me lol. 

Both kids are in process of being diagnosed but been told this could take years. I went back to daughters school with list of behaviours and told them I want her diagnosed and finally they agreed, I also went to my Dr to fast track through the right to choose pathway. If your school are saying they can't see it, present them with the information they need in writing and outline what reasonable adjustments the school can make to support your child, listing what they need to make them feel more comfortable and to support their learning.

As far as the school was concerned they had done there job and were not offering her any help as they didn't see she needed it. I sent an email, important to have everything with a paper trail, that said I want her to have support during her GCSE's and used the line 'It's not my daughters fault the waiting list for a diagnosis is so long and that you didn't spot her masking her symptoms at school. I want her to be treated fairly and offered her the support she needs in school as it is your duty to provide an education setting to meet her needs.' I asked for her to be allowed fidget toys in class, wear earplugs when needed to minimise distraction sounds from students around her (I chose calmer brand), to be allowed to access the toilet when she's feeling anxious to be able to reset and asked for her to have extra time to be able to read all the questions in her exams as I know she misses a lot as hyperfocuses on a question and looses track of time or panics and skips loads. She had to do a reading test for this and passed so is now allowed the extra time. I've also found the coloured reading overlays that was suggested by her Social Prescriber has really helped her reading focus.

Good luck x