Realities of homeschooling a child with SN?

[DeludedMumofPFB]

School keep coming back and back to the fact that DS's IQ is 78, and the limit for "normal school" is 75. That we can't expect that he can do the work etc etc.
He does have huge difficulties with maths, but I'm not convinced for other subjects. Dypraxia and difficulties writing (but no chance of using a computer as it wouldn't be fair for the other children who would query why they can't) and coordination issues (long term physio). ASD and at the last assessment (when they came up with his IQ score) they mentioned ADD.

He is fluent and can read in two languages and has a passive understanding of a third. He notices small details and can immediately spot an error in a diagram or a design flaw in something. He is interested in how things work. They had a topic at school on inventors and inventions. He did badly in the end of topic test - learning who invented what and when it was invented. But was interested in how the inventions worked, which was not covered in lessons and the test. He has an amazing memory for things he's interested in for nature (animals, flowers, places and routes).

He has poor social skills and whilst people at school tolerate him, he doesn't really have friends.

We don't have the option to switch to another school, although the school has suggested private (we can't afford this, so would have to fight to get funding). Homeschooling or a teacher coming to the house has been suggested.

I'm reluctant as he would be isolated even more, I'm not sure me being mum and teacher would be best for him. I'm not sure if I could teach him properly. I've no teaching experience. We have a parents evening coming up and I know the TA has set him a project to design "his School"... On the other hand, it's pretty clear he's not learning anything at school.

Does he have an ECHP? And if not, why not?

The use of a computer is a reasonable adjustment and the school are on very dodgy ground of they refuse it for the reason they've given! I'd be telling them on writing that this constitutes disability discrimination and that you expect them to start making reasonable adjustments immediately.

PS how old is he?

He defiantly sounds like he needs an EHCP - you can then look for a more supportive school SEN wise or a specialist provision

That iq is very low for someone who can read and talk two languages .. he will need a special school and an EHCp if he has learning difficulties though .
A lot of ms schools have units now ( ssc) that cater for children with additional needs .

Where do you live? Your child seems a really good fit for a lot of special schools and you can qualify for transport for them.

It seems weird to me that they keep coming back to an IQ test that is in the normal range. Apart from anything else, an IQ test on its own is insufficient to make these kinds of decisions! If you like him at the school, then have him stay. If it was me, I'd be most concerned about the social skills, keeping in mind that little boys in general are not famous for their social skills.

Sorry, I assumed he was little, but now I look back, I see you didn't say.

I also think your description of his abilities does not tally with a low IQ. It may be he just performed poorly on the test if he has issues with concentration etc. Look on your LA website to find the SEN support service, this is often outsourced to a charity but should be able to help you work through the process of getting better support for him. It does not sound like the SEN provision at his current school is any good, but you might be able to name a more supportive setting in an EHCP and keep him in mainstream or move to a school with an ASD resource base. It doesn't sound like being home educated is something either of you want. School are not allowed to "off-roll" pupils they think will perform poorly in SATS and they have a duty to provide support and make reasonable adjustments for pupils with SEN.

A few suggestions:

-Educational psychologist assessment (school can arrange this - may need to push for it)

• EHCP application for assessment which could allow significant support
• Adjustments for tests/assessments eg use of a computer, extra time etc.

Oohnicevase
That IQ is not special school zone on its own. You are looking at, off the top of my head, around 7th percentile and we don't put 7 percent of children in special school. The lowest 2 percent (70 and below) are the more likely range to need a completely different curriculum rather than some modifications to a standard curriculum.
OP, you need to look at the full range of scores that he attained. It may be that he has a relative weakness in mathematical reasoning that has reduced his overall scores, and a relative strength in linguistic reasoning or similar. An IQ is derived from summing a number of aspects of functioning. Do you have his scores?

IQ tests can be inaccurate, for example if the child is socially anxious or has poor memory for instructions. They are not infallible.

Are you in the UK? Also, how old is your DS?
Senco here, and I'm shocked if you're UK based and your school has told you what you're saying. His IQ score would indicate he's low ability but doesn't have a diagnosis of MLD. He wouldn't get an EHCP on that score alone in my LA. You mention a TA. Does he have one all day?
Please come back with more info and we can give you more precise advice.

In answer to your original question - i had to 'home school' my child for a year whilst we found a school place. It was very isolating and its hard to work on social skills which you say is a key weakness. Lots of people mention homeschool groups but we didnt find any in our area.
We found success with OT strategies as there was lots of time to do them. We had a tutor provided by the LA for a very few hours a week for one term who had mixed success with maths and english.
I think its possible but you need to think of the whole picture, not just the subjects

No, I'm not in the UK, so I know things will be different. DS is 10 and has repeated a year. They start school here at 6 years old so should be in Yr4, but is currently in Yr3. But realities of homeschooling in this situation, I imagine will be the same wherever I am.

OP, you need to look at the full range of scores that he attained.
I would love to, but unfortunately the Ed Psych operate on a paperless system so there is no report or scores available

I also think your description of his abilities does not tally with a low IQ
This is what I think, from what I've read about his IQ level. It just does not seem to fit with him. It took him one glance to notice the mistake in this picture. And no, I hadn't noticed! But school are always so negative, I questioning if I'm being my username.

He has a TA for 6 hours a week. But she thinks he's an idiot and treats him as such

IQ tests can be inaccurate, for example if the child is socially anxious or has poor memory for instructions.
I thought this too. I read that they should use an adjusted IQ (GAI?), which the ED Psych won't provide and I can't work out because I don't know what he scored.

I'm debating if it's worth going through another assessment, referred by the paediatrician rather than the school.
He had one at 4 - we don't know if he wouldn't/couldn't/didn't understand how to participate fully as it was in his 3rd language and he was a late speaker. Which I was told not to worry about as he was being brought up with 3 languages. There was no mention of AD(H)D.

Then the had the EdPsych one two years ago. Which doesn't help me - I want to know how to help him learn.

Was the assessment not in his first language?
How many years into immersion was he, and how fluent his adopted language?
This is a big red flag for IQ testing.

Wrt his scores: they should be recorded and you should be entitled to see them, paperless or not. You are his parent! Ask for a print out of the score chart. We are paperless and this is the minimum we must retain in scanned copy.

Was the assessment not in his first language?
The first one was in German. His main language was english (me) and then french (DH). He had exposure to German through MIL and had recently started a nursery once a week where they spoke German.
The last assessment, he had been at kindergarten 2 years and school 2 years in German, although English was (is) the language he is more comfortable with. I imagine this will switch in a couple of years.

In that case, if they are basing his 78 score off an assessment in his 3rd language, I would certainly be asking for a reassessment or indeed paying for a private assessment in one of his mother tongues - his most competent language.

Yes this is an excellent point raised and the fact it's his third language would probably affect his assessments

The initial assessment was in his 3rd language, the paediatrician told us not to take too much notice of it. This was arranged through the paediatrician

The assessment 2 years ago, which is where they're getting the 78 from, it was by then his second and school language. This assessment was through the Ed Psych /school system. This also came out borderline and they also told us to interpret it carefully because they are aware it's not in his first language. But that after 4 years of school, it should be sufficient for the test.

Neither place will carry out the assessment in English. I did ask. I am considering going back to the doctor and asking for a re-referral to the first assessment centre.

Sounds like they may be trying to offrole him which is illegal. Home education is a great choice but not one parents should be pushed into doing by schools.

I think when your child is neirologically this different from average, firstly he will have very scattered skills which will make an IQ test 'uninterpretable' - the overall score will be meaningless. You may well find that he scored higher than average for some things and that his average was dragged down by a very low working memory score (just for example). Without a full breakdown of figures, these results tell you nothing and the school are wrong to be pressuring you over them. Also, ASD kids often underperform in IQ tests, some tests being worse for them than others.

Secondly, is definitively look at home ed if you can, starting with joining some fb groups and asking detailed questions there. After a lot of research (I have a preschool age boy with ASD, and probable dyspraxia and ADD), I've come to the conclusion that the further a child deviates from the average - and my son deviates in lots of different directions, including probably being gifted in some areas while very behind in others), mainstream school can never fully cater for their needs. It already sounds like they don't understand your boy and his interesting mind at all.

Neurologically*

Excuse all my typos, I have a baby asleep on me!

Sounds like they may be trying to offrole him which is illegal.
I have this feeling, and am certainly going to insist it's included in the minutes of the parent's evening if they suggest we find a private school again.

firstly he will have very scattered skills which will make an IQ test 'uninterpretable'
Yes, I though they shouldn't use IQ in these cases. Which is why it annoys me they keep mentioning it.

You may well find that he scored higher than average for some things and that his average was dragged down by a very low working memory score
EdPsych definitely said this in the meeting about his assessment.

It already sounds like they don't understand your boy and his interesting mind at all.
So true.

I have a baby asleep on me!
Enjoy it whilst s/he is still small enough not to leave bruises!

As I said before and a few people have mentioned, home ed can be great but it's a big commitment. There are loads of resources and groups around though. Cheaper holidays though which is a bonus.

But realities of homeschooling in this situation, I imagine will be the same wherever I am. Unlikely! Some areas have plenty of home ed families and it would be easy to make friends in that community, among people who may well have plenty of experience of neurodiversity. In other areas there will be very few home ed families and if kids' social lives revolve around school (e.g. children don't play out in the neighbourhood or join after-school clubs) then home education could be isolating. Plus, if there is a good local home ed community then YOU will be able to spend time with people who will support and encourage you rather than finding that 95% of your friends and acquaintances don't "get" home education and tell you regularly that you are making a big mistake!

I'm not sure me being mum and teacher would be best for him. I'm not sure if I could teach him properly. I've no teaching experience... On the other hand, it's pretty clear he's not learning anything at school.
Home education doesn't have to involve "teaching", and most British families don't choose to do it that way, though you can if you want. It typically looks very different from school. If your son isn't learning anything at school, home ed is certainly worth a try. You could always send him back to school later if home ed doesn't seem right for him.

At the same time, I agree with everyone who is saying you shouldn't be forced into home ed if you prefer school, and it could be worth pressing for better provision. School should not be pushing your son out. Can you go higher up? Here it would be the Local Authority with whom the buck stops, who should lean on a school which was trying to avoid responsibility for a child with special needs. I'm not saying that always happens, but it is the next step if the school aren't behaving.

If I were you I would try that avenue, and in parallel, quietly research home education and make contact with local home ed groups to see what if anything is on offer in your area. But DON'T tell the school you are considering home ed; if you do, they may realise that they can get rid of you if they continue to neglect your son's needs until you are so frustrated that you leave "voluntarily".

I take your point Saracen. I am obviously not very experienced with the whole home ed thing. I have had a quick look, there doesn't seem to be anything in. our immediate neighbourhood. There are groups at regional level, but anything requiring too much travel would not be practical as I would still have a child at school.

hen YOU will be able to spend time with people who will support and encourage you rather than finding that 95% of your friends and acquaintances don't "get" home education and tell you regularly that you are making a big mistake!
I would definitely benefit from this. Although any of our friends who have heard me talk about the school would totally understand why.

School should not be pushing your son out. Can you go higher up?
Yes, I am gearing up for this.

But DON'T tell the school you are considering home ed;
Absolutely not. Nor that I'm looking into private (it's not like the UK, private schools are very rare where I live and very badly regarded. There are two in our closest city, one has 8 pupils).

I spoke to DS's paediatrician, who laughed at the idea of DS's IQ being 78 and immediately agreed to refer for an assessment through the medical system. So now, just need to wait 4 months or so...