I have tried to put this post somewhere suitable but I can’t seem to find anywhere.
My eldest has just started secondary school. He was diagnosed with autism at the end of Year 3. Year 3-5 was pretty awful. He struggled with everything - noise, change, communication. Halfway through year 5 things calmed down and then Year 6 hit and it was SATs, overnight trips, end of school show, choosing secondary schools. I was glad to see the end of Year 6. We always knew that secondary school was going to be a really tough transition as it is for all kids, regardless of age, maturity, disability.
But I am constantly on edge. The first day he managed 2 out of 5 lessons and the next two days were spent in the inclusion part of school. The school is very supportive. He has had a good weekend and completed a couple of bits of homework. But now the Sunday blues have hit and he’s complaining of tummy ache and whimpering.
We have had a really stressful few months and I was made redundant earlier in the year and although I’m working now, I’ve taken a huge pay cut to get flexibility. My mental health has really suffered and I take anti depressants and I’ve now been prescribed sleeping tablets. We don’t have a great deal of support and my partner works away most weeks for two days so I have to juggle all this and a younger sibling.
My nerves are just shot. I feel like hibernating and not coming out until he is settled.
Can anyone tell me that it will all be ok in the end and he will settle in? I know it is very early days but I can honestly see now why people home school. I hate seeing him in such distress and I just can’t do much more.