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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

DS not coping with year 7 - EHCP?

1 reply

YourSpleenIsDamp · 11/02/2023 19:33

DS was diagnosed with autism in year 2. He's never had an EHCP, didn't seem to struggle at school, until year 6 when the pressures of SATs and the thought of secondary school looming got too much for him and his mental health took a nosedive. He had some 1:1 with CAMHS but found it too hard to talk - he struggles with talking about how he feels.

He managed year 7 pretty well until October half term; then seating plans changed in lessons, and the PE teacher gave him a lot of pressure to change into PE kit, even though the head of year had given permission for him not to get changed. His anxiety rocketed; his eating went even worse; and he missed several days because of anxiety. He now hasn't been to school since Christmas. School are being flexible and saying to let him choose a lesson and see if he can manage just one that he likes, but he gets distressed trying to talk about school.

His self esteem is so low - he's bright, so quick with mental arithmetic, reads at the speed of light, and is fast becoming a chess whizz. But he seems to believe he's stupid. I'm doing a bit of school work with him, and he can get forty maths questions right but then get just one wrong, and he's in bits - screaming, crying, saying he's stupid. Says he feels like that at school too but there he can't run away and he's stuck.

I did a parental request for an EHCNA when he was in year 6, but primary school didn't support it and it was rejected. I meant to appeal, but then got very poorly and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, sleeping half the day and didn't have the spoons to push for it.

My instinct is that he'd do best at his current school (all his friends are there and they were all walking home together and playing in the park afterwards, and he loved that) with support - but what support? Can anyone share what provisions are on their own DCs' EHCPs please? I've just finished writing another parental EHCNA request, and his current school say they'll support it - but I can't think what would help him cope at school. He can only really express that school is bad and that he hates it. Would be amazing if anyone can share what's helped their child. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 11/02/2023 20:09

The LA should be provide a suitable, full time education if DS can’t attend school full time. Are they?

If the EHCNA request is refused this time do appeal. The majority of appeals are successful.

What about a less direct form of therapy (e.g. animal assisted, art, gaming - wherever DS’s interests lie) that doesn’t rely on verbal communication so much? The benefit of an EHCP would be therapies such as this and others (e.g. OT and SALT) can be included without the need to sit on normal waiting lists.


I have 2 DC with EHCPs. DS1 has EOTAS rather than attending a school, but DS3 is in MS secondary with a personalised timetable and full time 1:1 including breaks and lunch. Among other things he has OT, SIOT, SALT, clinical psychologist sessions, physio, emotional literacy support, social skills support, Lego therapy, touch typing lessons. Also equipment, specialist software and assistive technology.

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