Granddaughter diagnosed as aspergers yesterday, her 16th birthday today

My granddaughter has today been diagnosed with aspergers (one day before her 16th birthday) after years of trying to get help for her. She has had a terrible time at school and has not had any help. Too late now to get SEN as she finishes at her school soon. At what age does the LEA cease to be responsible for her education - 16 or 18. Is there any other educational help she might be entitled to - maybe one to one - so as to be able to obtain qualifications to progress to college. She is bright but has learned little at school, for vast periods in the past three years she has been too terrified to go in. Also, can anybody point me in the right direction to get help with things like physio, becoming a little more at ease in social situations, low self esteem, depression. We are at a loss as to where to start so any help will be greatly appreciated.
Parents
  • Hi Andrea, Many thanks for your very helpful comments, I am having a meeting with her teacher the week after next (it is half term here next week) to see what help they can offer for the last few months at that school. When I spoke to the SENCO yesterday, she informed me that as the diagnosis has arrived too late to get a Statement, she didn't think there was much that could be done. I will look into further education. Do you mind if I ask what a "discreet college class is?" probably self explanatory but i have not heard of it. You might be wondering why I and not her parents seem to be looking for help. The thing is that whilst we have been looking into my granddaughter's difficulties, I have found that my daughter, her mother, is most likely autistic and even less equipped than I. She also had many problems but I could never get anybody to help. I did take her to a geneticist, thinking there was a chromosome problem, but blood tests discounted this. This was 40 years ago, and there was no Internet. My son in law is in denial about the diagnosis, so is not much help at the moment. I do understand this but wish to get started to help as soon as possible.
Reply
  • Hi Andrea, Many thanks for your very helpful comments, I am having a meeting with her teacher the week after next (it is half term here next week) to see what help they can offer for the last few months at that school. When I spoke to the SENCO yesterday, she informed me that as the diagnosis has arrived too late to get a Statement, she didn't think there was much that could be done. I will look into further education. Do you mind if I ask what a "discreet college class is?" probably self explanatory but i have not heard of it. You might be wondering why I and not her parents seem to be looking for help. The thing is that whilst we have been looking into my granddaughter's difficulties, I have found that my daughter, her mother, is most likely autistic and even less equipped than I. She also had many problems but I could never get anybody to help. I did take her to a geneticist, thinking there was a chromosome problem, but blood tests discounted this. This was 40 years ago, and there was no Internet. My son in law is in denial about the diagnosis, so is not much help at the moment. I do understand this but wish to get started to help as soon as possible.
Children
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