How best to support 15 yr old DD (with autism - Pathological Demand Avoidance), through GCSEs now & into year 11.

[Whatliesbeneath707]

DD has really struggled in secondary school. Now coming up to the end of year 10 and in her mocks she achieved 2s mostly. She might do slightly better in the few practical subjects shes taking. She dislikes school & most of her subjects, but the demand avoidance is also an issue as the teachers tell us she won't attempt a question in the exams if she feels she doesn't know it.

She does have some ability & skills but they are not really related to academic work. We've talked to her about really trying in the last year (year 11) with the aim of getting 4s in maths, english & science. She is interested in going to an agricultural college post 16, but needs the basic GCSEs.

Both the teachers & DD say she struggles to retain information & she is also very tired/sleepy in class. We are waiting to see the Peadiatrician about this but there is an 18 month wait!

School say she isn't always using the extra help in class & I think some of that is due to feeling embarrassed. She doesn't have a EHCP as school feel she doesn't need one.

Any suggestions of what we can do to support her I this final year to get through & come out with some basic GCSEs that will allow her to go onto other more practical things.

The school try to help but are limited & DD PDA also doesn't help. We've thought about a private tutor for maths but she doesn't want to do extra school work at home! No surprise.

She did cope very well in lockdown when dad was doing the home schooling with her, but this isn't an option as we both work.

We want to try to get the best out of this last year. Any suggestions?

Anyone?

Child with similar profile here but EHCP in place since year 4. (School uncooperative so I applied by myself).

EHCP paid for private specialist college post 16 and my son got 3 GCSEs on the 3rd attempt. He also took 2 BTECs at school, which he passed.

Oh @Frith2013 that is interesting.

I do wonder if it's worth applying for a EHCP ourselves but both primary & secondary schools have said she wouldn't qualify. I just wonder if it's too late?

Was it fairly straightforward to get the place at the specialist college?

I wish we could take her out of secondary now & have some focused 1:1 support somewhere for year 11. A reduced number of subjects would be ideal too, so that she can concentrate on fewer subjects.

It feels like there is no support for this, you just have to battle through it on your own.

I don't think I've ever come across a school saying a child needs an EHCP in anything but the most insane circumstances. Why have you listened to them? She's clearly not managing.

Tell her they don't matter and she can retake when she is ready.

That you are proud of her.

That you are pleased she is going to school.

Sadly, whether this works or not will not be known until results day for your DD as I have a Y10. I am feeling my way In the dark. Getting them into school at all is a major achievement. I am working on the assumption that taking the pressure off will help based on my knowledge of getting them into school.

Ouch, she came here for help, not judgement. OP my DD also has PDA and it's bloody difficult to deal with. Ask if you can speak to the SENCO and put a plan in place to help her. Focus on her English and Maths and whatever else she is good at.
What are her strengths?
IME, colleges over hype what grades they require, all students have a requirement to be in education until 18 so there must be some suitable provision for her. Maybe she can resit her maths at agri college? Is functional skills an option?

I would suggest contacting your local SENDIASS (or whatever they're called in your area).

Unfortunately, anything you want, you will have to do yourself, learning from scratch.

Also go on the SEND board on Mumsnet.

I've been to 3 tribunals over the years, to get what should have been put in place without a fuss. (Well, I haven't been to 3 as the county council will back down in 96% of cases).

My son was 18 months without a school place post 16 so you need to start researching now...

I'm not judging. I'm trying to figure out the reasons before giving advice. A lot oof SENDIASS are corrupt and not impartial. For example in our borough the head of statutory assessments was the head of sendiass. Very well known for their corrupt advice and the SEND service comes attached with a damning cqc and Ofsted report. If she's been given advice from them to not apply than obviously I won't recommend she goes to them. Equally of she's already reached out to IPSEA or SOS SEN and they've also given her similar advice, what I'll advise is very different.

Also, while you're applying for an EHCP and finding out more, you cajn ask school for whatever you like.

Fewer subjects, part time timetable, a day a week out of school e.g at a farm school. Online training with Interhigh.

No harm in asking!

Also make sure they have on record if she's entitled to a reader, scribe, laptop, rest breaks or extra time during exams. Please don't presume these things will be put in place.

Also, colleges often let students in without the right number of GCSEs so it's worth talking to them directly and meeting their SENDCo.

Honestly, if she is not making sufficient academic progress (and she isn’t or she would at least be predicted 4s) then the case for an EHCP is strong. But you need to apply right now. Call Sendiass or go to the ipsea website.

I have a dd with a similar profile. If she learnt well online, what about supporting her to engage with apps online eg, Seneca, Quizlet or Duolingo for language. Does she enjoy reading? Help support her with this as it could help for the English language paper. Does she qualify for extra time? Hopefully she gets this for GCSEs.

As part of the needs assessment, an EP could potentially support your request to drop a couple of GCSEs. School probably won’t be up for it initially.

Thanks everyone- really helpful advice.
As some of you will know yourselves, battling against the school and having a child with PDA is a massive mountain to climb.

It seems really strange that you have to navigate this alone as parents. I often compare it to healthcare where it would be like saying you have a diagnosed (health) need but you've got to navigate the whole healthcare system yourself. Along the way we will tell you what you're not entitled to & only the toughest, most determined will actually get the services/support needed. Also along the way, we will look at you as though you are asking for the world, for your child!

The school SENCO is inappropriate in my opinion. She told me before my DD started at the school that she wouldn't have input with my daughter as her needs wouldn't meet her threshold! Several years into secondary school she told us that a child would only get a EHCP if they were 5 years behind their peers. As you can probably guess, the support from her has been worse than useless!

We've battled for extra time & they still haven't all agreed on this - one teacher says yes & another says they are not sure she qualifies! 🤬

We have had input from the local council SENDIAS but they could only advise & wouldn't get involved.

The school has recently had the Ofsted inspection, so we haven't held back on giving feedback! It does all feel very relentless & tiring, sadly. I imagine it's been the same for most of you too.

You really need a clinician to back you up on the extra time, as it really helps to show that it is a child’s normal way of working. For someone resistant to demands, you can see how extra time would help them ‘move’ that block they have to completing work. When applying for an EHCP, you can take into account your fears about needing adequate support for GCSE, more than what can ordinarily be provided under SEN Support.

We had a brilliant assessment done (privately by an Educational Psychologist) when she was about 8 years old & it noted slow processing speed, needing extra time etc & both primary & secondary school gave her this until I was asking for more help in the classroom & the SENCO said she didn't need it, but agreed to do an assessment. Unfortunately they claimed this assessment showed she was doing "really well" & so they've stopped the extra time. This tin pot assessment doesn't match up with what the teachers say in her report & what her mock results are saying.

For those of you that have been through similar experiences (@imip @Frith2013 @Foxesandsquirrels @BlackeyedSusan @SoShallINever ) is it worth applying for the EHCP myself as she comes towards the end of year 10? I'm thinking about the help she could have in year 11 and the post 16 part.

Any knowledge, experience or advice?

Thank you.

Absolutely apply direct for the EHCP, IPSEA web site have blanket letters you can tailor. School are talking crap

Yes, apply yourself asap as you will probably be refused and have to appeal (not as scary as it sounds). Follow the IPSEA guidance as mentioned above.

Yes, 100% worth it. You have enough time to do it now, you may be able to get her into a specialist sixth form.