EHCP possible for autistic but academically strong child?

[NellyBarney]

My dd has textbook (stereotype male?) ASD (lining toys up but never playing with them, no facial expressions, extreme need for sameness) together with anorexia and OCD, but is academically exceptionally able. After moving to secondary school, she couldn't cope anymore with the school environment (noises, changes, social interactions), refused to eat and couldn't stop crying in school. She was allowed to leave class whenever she chose, so she spent most of the school day with the school nurse. We took her out of school as she'd lost so much weight, she was a walking skelleton, growing lanugo hairs over body and face. However, her grades remained top of class (she'd been working several years ahead in chore subjects before starting seconday, so that was to be expected). The requirement for an EHCP seems to be that there is evidence that a child can't meet academic expectations without interventions. Our problem is that our dd could probably pass her GCSEs right now 3 years early with good grades without ever going back to school but it's obviously a problem that she is unable to attend school and leave her room. How do we get the help she needs to attend school if her grades aren't suffering? Her problem is that maths, music, English, science etc is extremely easy for her, while all basic human functions - social interactions, eating, sleeping, wearing and choosing clothes, travelling, going outside, being exposed to light and noises etc are extremely difficult and stressful for her. She is currently homeschooling herself but at some point she needs to take GCSEs/A levels and get a university degree, and for that she'll need accommodations and support. Has anyone got an EHCP despite exceptional grades?

I have 2 academically very able DS with EHCPs and have supported other parents with very able DC to secure EHCPs.

The requirement for an EHCP seems to be that there is evidence that a child can't meet academic expectations without interventions.

Whoever has told you this has given you incorrect information.

There are options even if school is inappropriate.

If you get to a point you don’t wish to EHE and DD is unable to attend school but still compulsory school age, the LA would have to fund section 19 provision even without an EHCP.

@BrightYellowTrain That sounds hopeful. It was IPSEA that pointed out that failure to make expected progress despite local offer was one of the main criteria. What kind of evidence did you provide? We have a private ASD diagnosis (still on NHS waiting list for over 3 years). Head and SENCO at her previous school never got involved and have written to us/NHS that she did ever so well, their star pupil, just a bit shy - the head of year literally told me she just wasn't coping because she's dieting, which is just a pain teenage thing, if she snaps out of it she'd be fine, not a symptom of any disability. So there is no evidence coming from school. I've got a letter from the school counsellor though who she'd seen for her anxiety. Ideally I'd want her to stay at home/online schooling until GCSEs and then re-integrate into FE college for 6 form, but she'd ideally need a mentor there and access to a quiet/dark room in between lessons/during break time and permission to leave the site between lessons. Also support with group work/presenting. For uni she'd need recorded lectures and support with group work/allowances for presenting, and also some form of regular 1:1 mentoring.

That is surprising because it is not the case and it is not what is on IPSEA’s website or their courses. You can see their website page here.

The only legal test for an EHCNA, which is the threshold you first need to focus on is a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need special educational provision to be made via an EHCP.

The SENCOP includes factors the LA may consider. This includes progress/rate of progress. But the SENCOP does not overrule the legislation. And not making academic progress/struggling academically is not one of the legal requirements. It can support the need for an EHCNA, but the absence of it doesn’t mean the legal threshold isn’t met.

DS1 was in crisis. We had a huge amount of evidence for him from HCPs, social care and school. DS3 wasn’t in crisis. The initial EHCNA request was supported by evidence from the school and some HCPs.

You can use the evidence from the school counsellor and the diagnostic report. You could make a SAR to the previous school. This may highlight information you may not know exists. Don’t be put off by a lack of support from the previous school. A SAR to the GP may provide evidence to if you have spoken to them at all.

EHCPs don’t cover university. Support there would be via DSA and reasonable adjustments made via the university.

My DD also has an EHCP despite being academically able.

The Ed Psych during the ECHNA at the end of year 5 found she was working at year 4 level ("for a typically developing child") so that was helpful.

The main part of the SENCOP I relied on was that we (meaning her teachers, her parents, the additional services we were paying for out of school such as physio and play therapy etc) were putting in much more than the usual amount of support.

Please do apply and do a SAR to the former school for evidence.

Your poor daughter. Sounds so stressful!

Yes - my DD has had an EHCP since she was in year two. She’s autistic, now in year six, and passed her 11+.

Yes you can.

May be worth looking at Potential Plus here.