DS (recently diagnosed with both ASD and ADHD) has a very engineering-oriented brain and is always building intricate contraptions with everything from Lego to toilet rolls, or whatever he can get his hands on. However, he's been struggling with maths for a while and a recent EP assessment showed that he has poor executive functions, esp working memory, and slow processing. He's in y6 but working 1-2 years behind in maths and he knows it, especially with the focus on SATS this year, so he's become very resistant to doing any maths at all. We are taking a pretty low-pressure approach but it breaks my heart because I know he's a bright kid and he has so much potential, but he's really very negative about school in general now (with some EBSA) and especially about maths.
School do a very little bit of small group focused teaching (20 minutes a few times a week) but that's about it. DS has also started going to a tutor once a week and I can see a big difference when he's in a quiet, relaxed 1-2-1 situation; I hear him working through problems and getting to the right answer, so I know he can do it. But his instinct in general is to shut down and refuse when he has to do any maths at all.
We're in the process of hopefully getting an EHCP but, in the meantime, any tips or insights about how to help him would be greatly appreciated. I'm very worried about the y7 transition and the impact on his self esteem. Thanks.