ASD child and nit attending school

[SENmumma]

My eldest has ASD and hasn't been able to go to school since last October due to high anxiety and social issue's, his 14 and his a recluse, the school are now asking for a doctors note a very detailed one as to why he cannot attend school! I'm updating the school daily for their records but I'm not getting any support the school won't even do an EHCP for him due to no funding, I'm at ky whitts end and I'm struggling mentally.

You can request an EHCNA yourself. On their website IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Is the LA providing alternative provision? They should be.

Yeah, is the school sending work home? Is CAMHS involved?

The LA have to offer home tuition for children with medical needs who can't attend school for over 15 days. in our LA at least you need to have a consultant or CAMHS confirming the need. Not sure how they're only chasing you now after a whole year.

You can definitely apply for an EHCP yourself, but be ready for a new part time job for at least a year. IPSEA / SOS:SEN have great online webinars you can download

Lack of funding is not a reason for any school not to do an EHCP. They should be supporting you. The fact that he is not in school is enough evidence for an assessment.

If school won't support you then you can do a parent request.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/making-a-request-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

As a pp has said the LA MUST put in alternative provision once a child has not been in school for more than 15 days, they cannot gate keep this either. The law is clear.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/faqs/what-support-should-the-la-give-me-if-my-child-is-out-of-school-for-any-other-reason

This is plenty for you to be getting on with now. I would go to GP to ask for referral to CAMHS if you are not already under them. Waiting lists are LONG but being in the system helps.

The EHCNA should mean that the LA/ School engages an Educational Psychologist, OT and SALT for assessments, these would all be standard.

Good luck.

Place marking as in similar situation.

Just to clarify, the provision the LA offer doesn’t necessarily have to be home tuition. It could be hospital school, small group tuition in a centre, online tuition, 1:1 tuition in the community. It depends on the child’s needs. The LA should not have a blanket policy of insisting on a consultant or CAMHS evidence either. They should consider the whole situation and all evidence.

Oh and sorry you are struggling mentally I've been there.

You can't force an unwilling teenager into school. There is most likely something going on that is making it too much. It could well just be the loud / busy environment of secondary school.

It is such a struggle for many autistic kids. I've had 2 refusers and they are both now on track to do well. It's not their fault. It's not your fault.

If you need help see your own GP, remember to look after yourself too because if you don't you won't be able to help DC.

I would look to home educate.
Schools are totally inept and way out of their depth in dealing with these issues. Same with Gps and Cahmns. It's all totally hopeless and you waste so much time trying to implement methods that don't work.
My son has done so much better out of school, he is self taught, just passed his A levels.
What l have learnt is that if you have a child suffering MH issues you are well and truly on your own. All the school cares about is attendance. That's right up there with oxygen, forget wellbeing.

We're in the same situation here.

The stress and upset caused to the whole family by the situation we're in is undescribeable.

I would suggest you do a parental request for an EHCP. If they are diagnosed ASD then your request should automatically be agreed for assessment. There are template letters to request an EHCP assessment online.

Ask your GP for a referral to CAMHs for an assessment of needs.

Ask for support from your council Early Help team.

None of the processes are quick but at least it feels like you are doing something. It also shows the authorities that you are seeking additional support for your child and that they are unable to attend because their neuro diversity makes the school environment too difficult for them. It's not a scenario of a child being naughty or a parent not bothering to get them to school. It's a lot more complex than that and it's very distressing to see your child not coping.

I wouldn’t recommend deregistering and EHEing unless you actually want to home educate. Parents often find it easier (although not easy) to get support when DC remain on the school’s roll even if they can’t attend. Crudely, you are someone’s problem, whereas if you EHE you relieve the LA of their duty to provide education and it is easier for professionals to sweep DC’s needs under the carpet.

If DC can’t attend school, the LA must provide education. If they don’t you can force them to. Longer term, if school is inappropriate EOTAS via an EHCP can be pursued which can provide far more support (including therapies without needing to sit on the normal waiting lists and therapies not available on the NHS) than the vast majority of parents EHEing can.