Autism and tests

[Ltdannygreen]

I’m not sure what’s going to happen in regards to kids having weekly tests but there is no way in hell DS 12 who has asd will take a test, one he’s not going to let anything go up his nose or in his throat and secondly he gets nose bleeds often. His anxiety will go through the roof. Anyone else having the same worry?

My db’s been having weekly tests for months now. I’ve no idea how the staff do it, they must be very talented because I cannot imagine him complying. I’m sure if it’s causing your son stress they won’t force it upon him surely?

I feel the same Ds 16 has ASD.
Its hard enough to get him to let the dentist look at his teeth there is no way I can see him being able to cope with this.
I have always thought that if I do have to get him tested. If we manage a first test and that's a huge if. There is no way he will cope or allow a second.
It will be interesting to see how his sen school deal with this.

Yep. Get em in a head lock while they dangle off your arm by their fingernails.

Three tests in and each one has been worse. Mind you. I have had plenty of practice with various things over the years.

Ds(11) is ASD and back in September had to do a test and it was a nightmare as he completely freaked out so I only managed to do the nose and that was by holding him down. I decided then that I would not be putting him through that again.
If his school can manage and do it, then that will be brilliant (he’s high functioning asd, so will go along with what school says, just meltdown later at home about it), otherwise it’s 10 days in isolation. Not a lot else can be done

That sounds worse than it was. Head had to be held as they couldn't keep it still. They did very well but I don't rate my chances of doing it again anytime soon. May refuse permission.

Eye drops were fun.

Both my dc’s have ASD ,I had to test dd2 twice and it was almost impossible, only managed a throat swab, she wouldn’t let me near her nose. Dd1 hasn’t had a test but has the most sensitive gag reflex so is very anxious about needing to be tested, she’s 16 and in mainstream 6 form, dd2 is 14 and in a sn school. I’m hoping sn schools will be exempt from testing because dd2 will probably refuse to go to school if she has to be tested.

@Ltdannygreen your son sounds just like mine, especially the nose bleeds. We actually asked him what he thought about having the test and he said he might let them try it, it's probably better for him if a nurse did it rather than his dad or I. I suppose we'll see what happens in January

Im not sure we could tbh Ds2 has severe autism and learning disabilities he would have to be restrained ,we might possibly get a nose swab ,but no way we could get a throat swab .

My sons at a special school though so they will have to make adjustments .

Did my 7 year old autistic son a home test in august (few days before he went back to school he got a cough and I knew they wouldn’t let him back without a test) never in my life will I do another one.

He wouldn’t come anywhere near me after for 2 days! My husband had to pin him down and I had to get it up his nose (shudders at the memory!) was awful, it made me cry after how much of a state he got himself in, bless him he was shaking for the rest of the day it traumatised him.

I’ve said now if he gets a cough / symptoms he’ll have to have the full isolation time off every time, won’t do that ever again.

I've been thinking exactly the same. My ds1 had a test and it was horrific. Sitting in the car in the drive in place while he was in tears panicking and nearly having a meltdown. There is no way on earth that he will consent to being tested at school and if it's even suggested he will very likely completely refuse to go.
He is already refusing to eat at school because they are 'encouraged' to wear masks to go to the lunch hall. They don't have to, but he hears encouragement as a rule, he can't bear to wear a mask, so he just doesn't leave his classroom and doesn't eat until he gets home.
I'm dreading back to school on Jan.