ASd and attendance

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

My dd 16 year 12 is tracking about 84% attendance. She often finds the noise of a big secondary overwhelming and has to get out. It’s just normal noise, but she often finds it overwhelming. I’ve bought her some earphones.

But most of her missed days are due to anxiety or inability to deal with noise or over stimulation. She works hard, but it seems that disability isn’t a reason for disallowing attendance which seems madness.

MH difficulties can be a reason for absence.

What support and adjustments is DD receiving? A quiet space, time out card, movement breaks etc.? Has she had a sensory OT assessment?

She has a time out card. But sometimes it’s all just too much. No, she hasn’t had an OT assessment. She’s only just been diagnosed in November.

More than a time out card should be in place. If situations can be managed better it will help prevent it escalating to a point where DD is completely overwhelmed as often.

A sensory OT assessment will help.

Have you thought about applying for an EHCNA?

It’s just normal school noise. A noisy lesson blew her mind yesterday which had an impact on today.

Is an EHCNA the same as an EHCP?

The school have also adjusted her timetable and offered a quiet room, but she won’t go to it!

An EHCNA is what you first request.

Does she need one? The school are helping. I think her needs can be met in mainstream?

Her social battery runs out by midweek and this is what causes problems.

Well if DD can’t attend full time then an EHCP would help. EHCPs apply to MS. It would open the door to therapies too - OT, SALT, MH therapies which would help.

It also means if DD needs longer to finish her education that can happen or if she can’t attend school the LA can provide alternative provision which DD wouldn’t otherwise get being post 16.

I’ll look into it. Thank you.