Guilt over SEN school

[Cantthink222]

Back story, my son(9) was in a mainstream school up until the Easter holidays this year, he was on a partial timetable as they couldn’t meet his needs as he is autistic, doing 2.5 hours per day so was home by 12, that school being a 10-15 minute walk.

After the school holidays he started at a SEN school 14 miles away. The bus picks him up around 8am and he’s dropped back at around 4pm. The school is amazing, they have their own private therapists, he can finally go on school trips and is making amazing progress academically (he’s now working at a year 6 level instead of year 2) I can’t fault anything about it I just feel so guilty that he’s out for so long, I feel like I barely see him anymore. Am I being silly for feeling like this? Has anyone else been in this situation?

I think it's just left a gap and you need to adjust still. My son was in mainstream school for longer days but I worked in a school as a TA so was around him! Plus he was off Wednesdays so we did enriching things together. It wasn't ideal that I was in his school but it did result in him securing an ehcp (I could see for myself how badly he was unravelling!) and really some independence from me for him is the best thing.

Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust. It's wonderful he's there but it's a big change for you.

You shouldn’t feel guilty. It is an ig adjustment for both of you. Remember, lots of DC in MS are out of the house that long or longer.