My school has finished for half term, yippee! DS2 finishes tomorrow and DS3 on Friday. They are with their father this weekend so I am escaping on a city break to Madrid. Even more yippee! Even if the forecast is rain.
DS2 has finished his first 2 assignments for his BTEC. Once he gets them back marked he'll have a chance to make some improvements but then 2/9ths of his first year qualification done. He seems really happy with the college working style so far. Very little homework but some long days at college with most of the work done while there. At least I hope so. Not sure when or even if there's a parents' evening. Must chase this up after half term.
DS2 won't be going to university. My ideal would be to get him on to a higher apprenticeship at our local government department who would hopefully look after him quite well. I would hope they would value his autism as both an asset with his different way of thinking and a box ticked for their disability inclusion policies. This may well be pie in the sky, but if he gets MMM for his BTEC that is 'equivalent' to CCC at A level and meets the requirements of the apprenticeship. Whether he'd get through any interviews is another matter, though. There are other private companies locally who also offer computing apprenticeships but I think the civil service may be more 'forgiving' of his ASD.
If that doesn't work out, I'll be encouraging him to stay on in education at the local college which offers higher qualifications. Maybe getting a degree by the long route, via slowly increasing his qualifications along an HNC, HND etc route, stopping when he feels it's right. He'd live at home with me and get a student loan.
My DS1 has started at university and will end up with a very large debt, as he gets the maximum loan. It's the right option for him, though, I feel. Horses for courses! I'm having to get knowledgeable well out of my comfort zone, as I took the 'traditional academic' route of A levels then degree, as did my ex.