ASD Dd y12 refusing to go back to school

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

And l don’t know what to do. She has struggled all year, dropped to 2 A levels, but is still struggling. Exhausted all the time, school have adjusted as much as they can, she doesn’t go to registration, but she can’t cope with all the interaction.

We’re applying for an EHCP but I’m flummoxed. She’s bright and clever but can’t cope. Is still so traumatised by Teams after lockdown so can’t use that option.

She wants to learn. The thought of going to FE college is beyond her. It seems impossible to hone educate over 16. I just don’t know what to do.

In terms of evidence for an EHCP. She’s had lots of contact with mental health agencies.

She only got diagnosed in November because she spent so much time in lockdown in KS 4 that she didn’t seem to struggle with people as much. So we haven’t had SALT or anything. We are waiting to see a psychologist, but they won’t see her whikst CAHMS are seeing her🙄even though CAHMs is making zero difference.

They have home Ed exams at her school. Thank you for the advice. I’m just waiting for stuff on mental health to come through from GP, so we can apply for one.

You don’t need evidence from SALT or similar to request an EHCNA. If the LA agree to access such assessments can be part of the EHCNA. Apply now.

It is normal for many private psychologists, private psychiatrists and CAMHS to not allow patients to see both.

It’s a nhs psychologist!

Is the psychologist not part of CAMHS/liaison psychiatry then? Or are they part of e.g. a medical team? If it is the latter the same still applies. For example, DS1 has a CAMHS team which includes a clinical psychologist that deals with his MH needs. He also has a clinical psychologist as part of a medical team for a long term condition who primarily deals with things relating to the condition as the wider mental health needs are outside their comfort zone and it isn’t best practice.

I don’t know. She was assessed under the nhs, but the psychologist won’t see her until CAHMs finishes. I don’t know why. I’ve argued about it, but they won’t.

l might phone them up again.

Whatever you do you should request an EHCNA ASAP.

What’s holding the application up is the Go faffing around. I’ve asked for all the stuff from CAHMs to submit. They haven’t done it 2 weeks later.

Do l need to submit it, or would they just contact the relevant people?

You don’t need to wait. Send the EHCNA request now (IPSEA have a model letter you can use) and send additional information when you receive it, I wouldn’t rely on the LA contacting the GP/CAMHS. Delaying requesting an EHCNA further delays DD getting the support she needs.

I’m just writing it now! It’s getting all the evidence together that’s so hard. There’s so much. But it will go tomorrow.

Thanks all for your help. The hardest thing is finding the name of the Director of Chikdren’s Services. Been on bloody hold at the council for 40 mins😡

Have a look here.

Yes, I’ve got all that. I’ve written it all. Just trying to organise the mountains if evidence.

Thank you all for your support. I’ve included photos in it of where she’s constantly texting me at school saying how much she hates it and can’t cope! But that’s just one page of evidence out of about 40. There’s also about 28 emails to school😳

Good luck and well done @ArseInTheCoOpWindow! It is a huge amount of admin to wrangle when you're already using your resources to support a child who is struggling.

It's tough but definitely keep going. Ds got his first EHCP at the start of sixth form, he was diagnosed with ASD in year 11. He then struggled through year 12 but could no longer cope in a mainstream environment. They kept him on their roll until we had another placement confirmed ( he wasn't doing any academic work).

After a bit of a battle he now attends an independent specialist placement funded by our LA. This is a young man whose Senco told me in year 11, that he absolutely did not need an EHCP....

Can an EHCP specify home eduction?

EOTAS, which can include tuition at home, is possible. Section I wouldn’t specify home education it would be left blank.

You can also EHE with an EHCP, but if you make suitable alternative arrangements you relieve the LA of their duties to provide the provision in F. Although some LAs will come to an arrangement and give parents EHEing a personal budget.

@FloatingBean what’s an EOTAS?

can we talk about eant home Ed in the application?

EOTAS is education otherwise than at school.

I wouldn’t mention EHE in the EHCNA request even if you do plan to EHE.