ASD DD at last hurdle can't face A level exams!!

[MazzaMaisie]

Hi,
Hope somebody can advise? My very bright daughter has totally shut down and it's looking like she is going to crash out of sitting her A levels exams. She is beyond devastated. Always achieved well in school, but always highly anxious and on transfer to high school only managed to do Autumn term Year 7 to then not be able to attend school at all for the rest of high school. She was distraught at not being able to attend school, CAMHS refused her twice and she had a mental health breakdown, anorexia and suicidal thoughts then CAMHS saw her due to drastic weight loss and a diagnosis of ASD followed. Ater 2 years out of school (but still on roll, I was subject to fines/threats of court etc.) she finally got some support 1-1 in the core subjects. Then Covid... Against all the odds was awarded all 9s in 7 core subject GCSEs, she had been able to sit mocks with a 1-1 invigilator at home just before lockdown...It was excruciating for her as exams have been a major trigger since she did SATS in Year 2 and despite being on medication, (sertraline), and having CBT councilling this has remained a major trigger. 2 years ago she was able to start college to do A levels with 1-1 support. They have been brilliant overall - they've made special accomodations for her to sit exams at home with an invigilator, extra time etc. Last year she sat A level maths ( 3 papers) and she got an A. It was very very tough but she just about got through, i think mainly because they were a week apart so she had time to repair emotionally. This year her anxiety has been higher with impending changes leaving college etc., and her mental health has been suffering, - she's kept up with all the subjects (further maths, physics, computer science) and passed all the practicals and got A for her computer science NEA BUT first exams last week physics and then maths and for the maths paper she struggled finishing paper in the time and she had the biggest meltdown (she doesn't have meltdowns, a lot of stress erupted). Since then been in bed, very low mood, not eating and really not coping. College suggested asking exam boards for special consideration as they did for children during Covid and awarding her some grades based on the evidence her teachers have...the alternative is resits next year but they would not be able to accomodate exams at home. I think we have just hit a brick wall... she is incredibly clever and hardworking but exams seems insurmountable for her. She has overcome so much, has had such a disrupted education and self taught herself for years.. it's heartbreaking to see her not be able to cope with exams and that she will have nothing to show after all. Any advice? I'm at a loss. Also dealing with hearing 2 days ago my young nephew has had a stroke and is unlikely to recover. I'm so stressed - her next exam is Monday (maths) we discussed just doing say the physics and at first she said yes, but she can't cope, last week just broke something in her and she's imploded.

This sounds really tough but I think liaise with the school daily, be prepared to take her in for the exams if she's able to go but don't try heavy persuasion. She is unwell and there are procedures for that. Don't worry about the future now. Just focus on her getting better. The admin can be sorted later. Let go of the 'but you're 90% there mentality'. It's good that she completed the NEA in one at least.

What's her position re university etc? I really wouldn't try to push someone towards that if they find exams that stressful.

Also really positive that she has the GCSEs.

She wanted to read Physics at university. As soon as she finished GCSEs I tried to steer her away from A levels and university. As long as she is happy and she finds her niche that's fine by me. She loves studying and has taught herself several languages, and is very interested in lots of areas of study...it's what she enjoys and gives her structure especially when she wasn't attending school. Studying and going the gym daily, it is her 'safe place'. It's the exams she can't cope with, I've cautiously been saying all along that the education system is mainly built on exams and that university, even though she loves physics and the lessons etc. might not just be for her or at least take time out, give herself a chance to mature, just work on some soft skills for a year or two...she's very fixated sadly

She's just so heartbroken as she felt she could cope and it is proving all too much, she gets so anxious she can't function during the exams. All her teachers say she's A* material, is amazing in class, - she went from being at home for years to attending every day and became so confident and most importantly felt happy for the first time in a long time, made friends etc. , it is so sad for her because this is what she really wants but her anxiety just gets in the way

As long as DD completes at least 1 component and at least 15% of the qualification then she can still receive a grade this year. If DD has sat 1 physics and 1 F.maths paper she should meet the criteria. I don’t know how much the computer science NEA is worth but if it is more than 15% then that will count too. You can read more about the rules here.

Does DD have an EHCP?

the alternative is resits next year but they would not be able to accomodate exams at home.

Why not?

Hi,
Thank you for your advice. Her NEA is worth 20 percent. Regarding the resits the Senco just said they would allow her to resit as an external candidate but not with the same conditions. You’ve put my mind at ease that she might be able to get some recognition of the work she has done. :-)

Yes she has an EHCP- it goes back some years now and records her history of difficulties

Also CAMHS discharged her in November as she turned 18, not having access to her cbt councillor anymore was really tough, yes she had made major steps forward but this year was always going to be really really difficult for her

With an EHCP DD doesn’t need to be an external candidate though, she can remain on the centre’s roll if that’s what you/DD want and therefore be an internal candidate anyway.

Or you could look at EOTAS.

Even if DD was an external candidate she could still have the same exam access arrangements. Not all centres accept private candidates at all or those with access arrangements, so if the current centre wouldn’t allow that you others would. Although hopefully she can be awarded grades anyway with the components she has completed.

Does the EHCP not include therapies? Therapies such as CBT and OT should be in F so they must be provided and you can force the LA to.

No, once CAMHS discharged her she was placed under care of GP and waiting for word back on adult services referral. Her medication (sertraline) seems to stop being so effective every 18 months or so - they just keep upping it so 6 weeks ago she went up to 150mg (GP just spoke to me on phone, he’s never met her) - I’ve indicated I think the meds just make her feel depersonalized, not in her own body but to switch now was not a good time but the increase has made her more tired and feeling odd. I wanted her to be able to just box A levels off and have a year with no major pressure , just soft skill development and reviewing the medication. Thanks for your advice, it’s given me something positive to hold onto for her :-)

It sounds you need an early review of the EHCP as it isn’t fit for purpose. Or to just appeal if you currently have the right of appeal.

DD needs therapies - MH (e.g. CBT, animal assisted therapies), OT and SALT at the very least. She also needs PfA provision. For the therapies, you do not need a normal referral, it needs to be in F and therefore it must be provided even if the LA have to commission independent provision - this way it can be enforced too.

Thank you for your advice. Had a review just after Christmas, attended by Senco but no LA representation as they kept changing the person and last minute, after me spending a lot of time bringing LA rep up to speed, nobody at meeting. The service has failed inspections and there has been no continuity and then with COVID…I was never aware she could be afforded the sort of things you mention. I’m very grateful for your input, I will go away and read up on these things.

It is not uncommon for LAs to not attend reviews.

Within 4 weeks of the review you should have been informed whether the LA were going to amend or not, and if they were sent a draft. Then if they were going to amend the LA should have issued a finalised EHCP within 12 weeks of the review or if DD was planning to move placement this September it is a phase transfer year so it should have been finalised by 31st March.

Thank you so much, you’ve helped me so much I can’t tell you.

Would I need a medical letter to give to college for the exam
boards so that they grant grades? Thanks

The exam board will require evidence. Whether you need to provide more evidence will depend on what the college already have. You are best speaking to the exams officer.

Thank you