Autistic Dd unable to write in 3 out of 4 Pre Lims - what now?

[54isanopendoor]

Dd is ASD (& selectively mute when Anxious) She attends mainstream 50% timetable ntil S4 when 'they are aiming for 100% timetable which of course isn't really working) We had a MAC meeting & decided she would attempt 4 x 's as she is academically able. Of her prelims she managed her Maths (51%)
She was unable to write for her English one. Unable to do more than 'name on paper' on 2 attempts at Geography. she just put her head on the desk & cried so they sent her home. History is tomorrow.

She has had some support at school. She has had some input from ASD support. She sat her prelims in own room, extra time etc. But her clinical anxiety has overwhelmed her. I am very sad for her.

School say 'they are not sure what can be done' as she MUST sit exams to be awarded a Nat 5. Is this the case please? I have a disabled child who is able but her disablity prevents her expressing that ability in the way that the SQA wants.

Would she be able to use a scribe or use a laptop for typing instead of writing? Or is it the situation that's the issue?

Well, she does need to actually sit the exams.
What adjustments would allow her to do that?

she can't use a scribe as she becomes mute under stress (dx 'electively mute', not just 'wont speak' situation)
she cant type very fast (dyspraxia) so a laptop is hard too.

It's her Anxiety that is the issue more than anything though.

Really she needs her coursework submitted as evidence of her ability rather than putting her in an exam situation where she will always fail.

Which area of Scotland are you?
I'd be talking to a charity working in this area urgently for help and support.

This situation can be helped, maybe not in time for tomorrow but plenty of children facing similar responses to exam pressure - so sorry for both of you. Family have been through similar and something has worked out in the end.

I’m dyslexic - totally different I know but when I did my exams I had a reader and scribe and sat in a separate room had extra time etc obviously a scribe wouldn’t suit but being in a room herself & an invigilator may be better but these are things to explore for her nat 5 exams. Prelims are just to practise and get a grade to appeal against so pressure isn’t quite as much normally.

thete will be charities - autism Scotland? Etc who will have experience in this and what adjustments she can have, is her Asd worker no help? Or the sen dept at school?
My youngest is asd and adhd but still only p7 but I can imagine will face similar in a few years. It’s so frustrating that you have to fight to get what our kids need to progress and succeed.

I spoke to dd's preferred post 16 option about this. They said that she could be assessed on performance for access to her selected courses if it does go very wrong. I know that doesn't help in terms of the qualifications but it doesn't have to be a barrier to progression.

@54isanopendoor
You may be better posting this in SEN section in education. Although not specifically for Scotland you have better chance of parents who've been through something similar.
There's lots of adjustments that can be made for exams (including taking them throughout the day in manageable bite size chunks). But it's really important it's tailored to the individual needs and not a one size fits all.

I'm sorry to hear your daughter is struggling with her exams. It's a big ask for some autistic children. Try contacting Enquire (enquire.org.uk/). They are a Scottish government funded charity who provide advice on additional support for learning. I've used them in the past and they are really helpful.

Unfortunately it is very unlikely that she would be able to get an award based solely on coursework. But there are lots of other things that can be tried before the exams to try to make it more accessible to her.
She may be allowed, with permission from sqa invigilators, to bring an item or two into the exam with her that could be a calming influence. For example a fidget or sensory item but these would be checked by invigilators on the day. It’s also possible to use a cushion etc to make it more comfortable if that’s an issue. She can also ask for lighting etc to be adjusted to make it comfortable for her. She can ask for extra time and additional rest breaks on top of this where she would be able to move around the room/ possibly outside if supervised by an invigilator.
It is really tough for kids that there are limited options. Here’s the sqa document on assessment arrangements in case you haven’t seen it. www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/nq-2023-asessment-arrangements-centre-guidance.pdf

I should have said dd has ASD and elective mutism as well as anxiety and dyspraxia. She has an EHCP.

@Spring23 I'm in the Borders.

@Shopper727 Dd is also Dyslexic & Dyspraxic - it's the full monty really

I can try Enquire thanks @catclarks
thanks for the link to the SQA info@meala

there is no EHCP in Scotland & 'what schools offer' is very very piecemeal
We are now in the position that they will bump her down to N4 so it doesnt affect their exam ratings

The school might look at getting N4 in place as a “back up” in case she’s unable to sit the final exam and then she can at least have some achievement certificates as these don’t require any external exams. In a few subjects this can be done with minimal additional work if she’s been covering an N5 course she’ll have covered a lot of the content to a higher level already.
would she be willing/ able to practice exams in exam conditions but where there is no pressure ( like using past paper) to get used to the feeling of separate room exam. Then the actual exam itself might not seem quite so daunting.

Ah sorry no leads for the borders @54isanopendoor but I would phone the nationwide charities and see if they have local recommendations - specialist help always a good idea if the school's adjustments haven't helped. I hope things are starting to settle. If you have any Facebook groups for parents of children with SEN those are useful too.