• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 65 subscribers
  • Views 1201 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Secondary education

Lancashire Lass

Hi,

I have 3 children, 10, 7 and 6.  My 7 year old boy has autism.  He was diagnosed early and has had effective intervention, meaning he copes well at primary school with support.  I am hoping he will be statemented next year, as the school has promised to start the process when he is in year 3.

I have started to think about secondary education.  I'm very concerned about this, as I think he could have a very tough time in a mainstream school.  I know he has to learn to get by in the real world, but I think secondary school is a particularly cruel place and I don't know if he needs to go through such an experience to cope with real life.  He is very bright and loves to learn, especially in numeracy and science.  I think a special school for mild learning difficulties could enhance his learning and he would feel safer.

Also, I think it would be unfair on my other 2 children to have the worry of his wellbeing while they are tackling their own issues at secondary school.  I know it's a few years off, but I'm constantly thinking about it.  I don't know if the final choice would even be mine.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has knowledge, experience or advice in this area.  I haven't met another parent of an autistic child and it's been a lonely journey so far.

Parents

  • My son has now finished education, achieving a 2:1 in History at De Montfort University at Leicester. It can be done!!

    One of the reasons we encouraged him into further education was to enable him to get a degree and "level the playing field" a bit when it came to him getting a job. In the ensuing years, even non spectrum graduates are finding employment difficult.

    I`m perhaps not the best to ask re the process of statementing, others would be more contemporary. However, I think it depends on your postcode, as this government`s slash and burn policies place the vulnerable in ever more increasing difficulty. Councils can`t/won`t dip into their meagre budgets, and will find any excuse not to statement a child if they can possibly can .  

    Although our children are different ages, we face similar problems, as it`s all down to economics.

    Keep fighting. I know you will.

    Good luck.

Reply

  • My son has now finished education, achieving a 2:1 in History at De Montfort University at Leicester. It can be done!!

    One of the reasons we encouraged him into further education was to enable him to get a degree and "level the playing field" a bit when it came to him getting a job. In the ensuing years, even non spectrum graduates are finding employment difficult.

    I`m perhaps not the best to ask re the process of statementing, others would be more contemporary. However, I think it depends on your postcode, as this government`s slash and burn policies place the vulnerable in ever more increasing difficulty. Councils can`t/won`t dip into their meagre budgets, and will find any excuse not to statement a child if they can possibly can .  

    Although our children are different ages, we face similar problems, as it`s all down to economics.

    Keep fighting. I know you will.

    Good luck.

Children
No Data