Home ed child with SN

[ALemonyPea]

Not sure where to start.

I have a child with SN. He’s just gone to high school, Y9 as three tier system, who has an EHCP.

The change has not been great. I can’t see them getting any better as school are pushing for independence, DS is not a child who will be very independent. Everything we had agreed to happen,they’ve done a complete u turn.

I am thinking of removing him from school and just home eding him.

Can people who have a child with SN please share similar experiences and if it’s proved a positive or negative thing.

I know a lot of families of teens who home educate. I'd say it's been a positive thing in about 80% of cases. It's amazing to watch those teens blossom as their own quirky selves, without feeling the need to be what the wider school culture will accept.

I mean, families with teens who have special needs of some kind, that's the 80% where it's positive.

Where I've seen it being less positive, it's been because the teen is in such massive PTSD (from school usually) that they find it hard to assimilate into the HE community. Or because the parents aren't able or willing to really devote themselves to helping their teen (leaving them at home alone for hours a day, that sort of thing)

Thanks for the reply. DS will definitely not be left alone, he is never without adult supervision.

My one hesitation is that he separates school and home completely, won’t even do homework.

My 12 year old has never been to school. I really love the fact that I can give her exactly what I think she needs, without battling to convince someone else to provide it and then trying to force them to comply with whatever agreement they may have made.

So, for example, a few years ago I noticed that she had begun to crave, and thrive on, physical activity. So I started getting her out for far more exercise than she had had before. From being a very passive and compliant child, she has begun to be ready to develop assertiveness skills, and I coach her with that: "If you don't want to go with her, you can tell her to let go of your arm. Say it louder so she knows you mean it." Her attention span is sometimes a little longer than it used to be, and I can read her books requiring more concentration - if she's in the mood, of course: whenever she isn't, we go back to comics and short poems! Those are straightforward obvious changes which I simply implement because I am in a position to do so.

As far as I'm concerned, the best thing is that she's happy and her self-esteem is very high. Her needs are being met and the expectations placed on her are appropriate. She isn't spending 30 hours a week in an institution which was designed for people who are different from her, learning alongside other children who find academic tasks much easier than she does. As far as she is concerned, she does what she does and is who she is. Nobody is giving her the message, either blatantly or inadvertently, that she doesn't measure up and that doing her best isn't good enough.

Does your DD have SN Saracen?

Yes, she has a metabolic disease causing moderate learning disability. I'd guess she is about three or four years "behind" her age peers in most academic areas. Her social skills and interests are similar to a younger child too. I expect she would be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, but I haven't any need for a diagnosis so haven't pursued that.

She used to be physically disabled and could hardly walk, but her physical capabilities have improved beyond recognition - she does have dyspraxia but can ride a bike, swim, and run.

I would have loved to have done this with mine.

Hats off to you op

My son has a physical disability. The most important thing personally for me is whether he was appropriately challenged. We have decided to homeschool him and his twin sister as well and see what happens. So far it’s worth it generally speaking.

We do a lot more exercise and learning activities that allow them to understand the curriculum at their own pace. We just started a week ago and are currently working on the basic skills in reading writing and math too.

My step daughter thrives too she hated school so much. I add in geography history and science lessons to her day so she is not bored of lessons. It’s all about variety and flexibility. We try and get them out of the apartment as much as possible as well.

I frequently review what works and what does not. Good luck!!

I stuck school out for my children up until year 4 and year 3. Was tired of agreed strategies not being followed consistently by staff and my children getting the blame when this made them act out. My children had no friends my youngest with ASD and ADHD was labelled by staff and other children. It took a year of home educating just to raise up their confidence and self worth. Wish I had done it sooner nothing is better than being with my children teaching them and knowing they are safe, loved at home and I can give one to one consistent support.