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Alternative pathways for education, Not exams

Saaaa

Hi, I am new to the website.

My 14 year old son with ASD (and PDA and sensory issues) is having a terrible time in school due to his anxiety. He has an ehcp, and we are working with the LEA and school to make changes. I don't feel my son will ever be able to take a GCSE or A level, his anxiety levels become so high. We have talked with his consultant and there are medications etc they can suggest to help calm him on the day.......but 1) he has missed so much school time he has great gaps in his knowledge base. 2) is it therefore fair to 'drug' him inorder for him to sit an exam that he will probably not do very well in anyway, and further add to the trauma around exams.

But he is a bright lad. When not in school he is very productive. Since christmas he has taught himself electric guitar, Bass, Ukelele and now starting on Piano. He has played drums since he was 5. People have said if he can produce a portfolio of work he could potentially present this to a university, to obtain a place, if that were what he wanted. Does anyone know of any organisations that can help with this, or do you have a child who has had these issues? Any information would be gratefully received. He is very resistant to school environments and has built a brick wall up against Maths and Science. He has high expectations of himself.

We live in east devon.

Parents

  • Hi Saaa; 

    I am a teacher in a special school. About two years ago I received a new chap into my class with PDA. He is far more acadeically able that the rest of our school but does not engage in any structured learning activities, the thgouht that someone is telling him to do something, even if he likes it, drives him up the wall with anxiety. 

    We have concentrated on helping him to enjoy school. Before he came to us he had been excluded for a number of years, he has worked hard to feel happy at school and that is he main achievement to date, he has a lovely time here and often ends up doing academic work incidentally. He won't do exams any time soon but is being exposed to lots of opportunities to experience and teach himself new things. 

    Although he was in a different situation to your son he is a great success story as he has shown that he is able to achieve satisfaction in an educational environment, albeit a very different one to a traditional school. 

    Your son is very lucky to have you looking into the options for him, I am sure you will find something in which he will be satisfied and successful, whatever that looks like for him. 

    Cheers 

Reply

  • Hi Saaa; 

    I am a teacher in a special school. About two years ago I received a new chap into my class with PDA. He is far more acadeically able that the rest of our school but does not engage in any structured learning activities, the thgouht that someone is telling him to do something, even if he likes it, drives him up the wall with anxiety. 

    We have concentrated on helping him to enjoy school. Before he came to us he had been excluded for a number of years, he has worked hard to feel happy at school and that is he main achievement to date, he has a lovely time here and often ends up doing academic work incidentally. He won't do exams any time soon but is being exposed to lots of opportunities to experience and teach himself new things. 

    Although he was in a different situation to your son he is a great success story as he has shown that he is able to achieve satisfaction in an educational environment, albeit a very different one to a traditional school. 

    Your son is very lucky to have you looking into the options for him, I am sure you will find something in which he will be satisfied and successful, whatever that looks like for him. 

    Cheers 

Children
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