Asd and needing 1 to 1 help with work, poor memory

[Chocolate4me]

Hi, I have an almost 10 year old, diagnosed with high functioning asd about a year ago. Had to move schools due to him refusing to be in class and do the work suddenly when he moved class, new school is smaller and more accommodating but we still have some issues. I have home schooled him for parts of his school life, aswell as the lockdown, and I've noticed he seems to need constant help doing his work. We're completing a maths workbook set by his school over the summer, and I always need to read him the question, show how to complete the first question, and then he can do it, but with some guidance.
I feel this is one of his biggest hurdles at school, it must knock his confidence and he doesn't like to ask for help, so will just leave the class or not do the work.
How do I improve this aspect? I think his comprehension of questions is an issue, if I explain the question or re word it, he gets it, but if he had an exam, I wouldn't be there to do this for him so it's a concern.
Is this a common problem with asd? Anyone know of the best approach for this? I try to let him have a go alone first but he always needs the input first.... Even though we did cover all of this maths workbook during lockdown so it isn't new stuff either.

Any tips appreciated!

Does he have an ehcp? If not you could request one, the threshold for assessment is quite low (check sossen and ipsea). You should raise working memory, theory of mind and any other areas you think he struggles in. These should be assessed and even if an ehcp isn't deemed as required (if he needs 1:1 I'd push for it as secondary school is approaching, not hours specific details as to when required) you will/should get some firm guidance from an ed. psych to help. Also ask your school sendco what arrangement she they intend to make for SATS in term she of access. This will give you an idea as to if the school know of your son's needs as you do and may open up a conversation if they don't.

Thanks for the reply, before lockdown we were getting everything ready to apply for an ehcp but the head had been putting in a few recently so she wanted to time it right for the best outcome. The primary is really supportive, have jiggled around ta's so he has access to someone and can have a space outside of the class. They've even said we can do flexi schooling if need be. But it's the thought of secondary school that is troubling me as I just can't see that working at all unless he was totally out of the mainstream classes and sat with someone 1 on 1. Doing his work at home has made it very clear that he needs this extra support but coupled with his low tolerance, it's very difficult and I think he will always have issues within a school setting once you add in other kids, noise, distractions and pressure.

When the head says the best time to apply, what is this in regards to? Is it because of other applications from the school? You can apply yourself as a parent. Ehcp applications can take time and you could miss out on naming a specialist provision early (with an ehcp you get to know high school places earlier than others).

In either case of parent application or school application there is the possibility of tribunal, so I would think the earlier you start the better. Plus as your son needs support he should get it as soon as possible but by delaying assessment how can anyone know what support he really needs?

Have a good look at the ipsea website. Sossen have some good reasonably priced guides too. If you can I'd give their helpline a call - it's free and they'll be able to give you some more focused advice. Please mention about school delaying the ehcp application and see what advice they give you around that.

Your local area should have a sendiass service. These tend to be hit and miss depending on if they are partially funded via the la.

I'll pm you with the names of two FBk groups to join which maybe helpful to you. They are specifically around education/sen/ ehcp's it may just be helpful for you to have a scroll through at least. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post them on mumsnet.

If/ when you go ahead with the ehcp assessment it sounds like he may need an ot sensory assessment. Some LA's don't have it's trained in this so they or you would have to get an independent.

Your local parent forum could be useful to find out what some of the special schools in your area are like (obviously visit and research too I just mean that sometimes other parents can tell you things you wouldn't get to know) so may be worth looking at. Many have social media so couldn't 88be a good place to start. Other parents maybe able to suggest some schools outside your area too.
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and I always need to read him the question, show how to complete the first question, and then he can do it, but with some guidance.

This is so DS! We've just had yet another assessment by a psychologist because I wanted to know how to help him learn. She said there is a pyramid of things that allow us to learn. Bottom level is concentration. Second is language and visual processing. Third, working memory, memory and ability to learn. Top level you have structure, strategy, overview and context. DS scores very low in language processing and working memory and she said this is quite common in children with ASD and leads to the situation you describe. DS needs to learn visually, and most of school is done verbally.

Have a look at visual learning strategies. How can you explain it to him without using words. It could be using colour to link which answers should be written where.

I found this interesting

He did have a full cognitive assessment done by the same lady who diagnosed asd, and it all came back normal, higher in some areas and weaker in one, I'll have to look back to see which area he was weaker in actually.
I'll take a look at more ways to help him learn visually, I think this is why he does better with online programmes etc. As you can see and hear, but also rewind and pause etc.