Schooling for borderline autistic son

[mylifeafter50]

DS was diagnosed with borderline autism from early age of 2/3 years, now 13, always attended mainstream school until he went to secondary couple of years ago. He's been in special needs school now for 2 years and we feel he's gone backwards in terms of education, struggles with maths (4 years behind) although english is good in terms of reading and writing (meets age 12), comprehension is still a challenge (again quite behind by a few years).

The school he's in does not challenge him, there's no homework, and he's treated like a 6 yr old sometimes. They even made the class watch cbeebies for one of the lessons and he got a teddy bear for an achievement. Being borderline autistic, we know he can flourish in a more intellectually stimulating environment but don't know how we can move him to another school as the local authority will go by the advice of the school. The school says they are meeting his needs and he's doing well. He does have an EHCP. The school also does not think he will be able to sit for SAT's or GCSE's which is crazy because we know very well he can if given the opportunity and support.

We're looking at private school but that again would be a huge jump for him to start year 9 whilst being so far behind and getting loads of homework, currently he gets one piece of homework for the entire term!

Anyone any ideas of what we can do to convince the LA that he should be moved?

Given he can do GCSEs at the other campus from year 10 if you can't find any better options I'd focus on getting him ready to do those GCSEs you feel he might be able to achieve. Have you spoken to the school specifically about the fact you feel he can do more and that currently they're not supporting him to be able to do so? I'd be asking to make an appointment to speak to his teacher/s as you feel his academic outcomes aren't reflective of his abilities. If you do end up going with private tutoring you could ask for their help to support him with more challenging curriculum as he improves and keep them abreast broadly of what areas he's studying and how he's progressing. Some schools will be eager to work together, others you might have to really push to be heard.

So called 'high functioning' Autism is rolled into the current diagnosis, you just get a level one assigned instead of a level 2 or level 3. It sounds like what you mean is that he has some of the traits common to Autism but does not tick all the boxes necessary for a diagnosis? Borderline Autism really isn't a thing.

This is an american site and extremely outdated.

OP I would be pushing for another diagnosis.

EOTAS with section I blank doesn’t involve attending a school at all, it is for when it would be inappropriate for DC to receive the provision in a school. Some have a package with a school named in I and some of the provision delivered in school and some otherwise than at school if it would be inappropriate for DC to receive it in a school.

Our CAMHS report says our child has autistic traits. The psychologist said he was borderline. At that point in the process we decided to step back and not carry on so our child doesn't have a diagnosis of ASD just a report saying he has traits.

I think lots of professionals do still use outdated language, though our experience was many years ago.

It sounds like his main issues are not autism related. Children on the autistic spectrum usually are mainstream educated to they moved him due to learning difficulties, attention span etc which are not necessarily co morbidities with autism.

I would request an up to date assessment and private tutoring. I would also consider if he can repeat the year if you move him to private. None of us know you so can only speak from our experience, but I know special school places are hard to get so they must have thought he needed it

Borderline autism does sound dubious. My ds is diagnosed as autistic (no ifs or buts) , and at the time of his diagnosis (3) with a very subtle presentation.

The presentation has varied with the challenges he’s faced. And he’s needed different types of support. People don’t pick up on his autism - the most that has ever been flagged is that he can be anxious, and very sensitive, but he is not any less autistic for not being obvious.

He was diagnosed by a multi disciplinary team comprised of a psychologist, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist, with input also sought from physio therapy, and our GP.

Ds is in a mainstream secondary now - well supported with SNA and resource allocations that adapt to his immediate needs. But there is a high degree of masking for him which is the downside of attending mainstream. It may be an important consideration in moving from a specialist unit.

It sounds like he has problems with working memory and processing speed, maybe a specific learning disability. Dyscalculia springs to mind given his struggles with maths. Knowing what is going on can help you get him the right support. An educational psychologist may be a good place to start.

Almost 10 tears out of date and NEVER a formal term in the UK at all. The US system also categorise ASD and ADHD as a MH disorder, which is so inaccurate to be ridiculous.

My experience of diagnosis was that it was extremely robust with CAMHS involving SALT, an Ed Psych, Psychiatric Consultant and nursery/ school. There's nothing Borderline about it.

Is your son actually happy at his current school? Does he enjoy going, have friends there? If so, I really wouldn't underestimate the importance of his emotional wellbeing. If he goes to a more academically rigorous school where he can't cope then he's not ultimately going to learn more.
If you can afford it, getting some private tuition initially seems like a better option to me.
It would also be worth trying to get him reassessed though, if only so you both have a better understanding of his needs.