Daughter just started secondary school. Gone tits up already. Our 'bespoke' transition plan that was promised by the primary school consisted of a brief walk around with the Secondary School Senco, who stressed the importance of attendance and building, 'resilience'. Daughter stimmed herself round the school, stomping and smacking things. Said she wouldn't be coming back. I admired the old parquet floors in the assembly room just to keep the conversation going.
The plan they have us is for her to come in each day and build up time, starting with an hour to begin with - this is for a child who missed most of Year 6 at primary and couldn't come in without her pet chicken. Senco was quick to point out that no poultry would be allowed. She could however make the choice of sitting in a quiet hub space to begin with (small classroom for all the other poor dysregulated fuckers) or accessing a usual tutor group of 34 other pupils (are these seriously class sizes?). I asked if I could get her earlier if she became upset and went into meltdown - no says he, only allowed out if medical emergency or if suspended. He said they have certain expectations of pupils - daughter by this point in school lobby, anxious to get back to chicken who was waiting in the car.
So it is a basic desensitisation plan, which has already been tried twice by the previous school with no success. Sort of a slow exposure therapy which has been evidenced not to work at all with autistic children, such as my daughter.
Child then dysregulated and manic for rest of day and evening, making plans on how to get suspended or fake a medical emergency. Was so hyper she was almost climbing the walls (which she has actually done). Had to check door alarms were all prepped properly that night as we didn't want another night time escape and visit from the police.
So come the morning of the grand plan, first seeing to the other disabled child and making sure he is calm and regulated for his taxi ride to school. Daughter goes into 'refusal' mode - 'I'm not going, I don't want to see their ugly faces' were her comments before asking me, not quite politely, to leave her room.
Sent the obligatory email to the attendance office, the senco and anyone else I could think of stating mental ill health, anxiety and sensory processing difficulties. Also added a quick reminder that the absence should be authorised per government guidelines. Just psyching myself up for another shitty year of emails, phonecalls and meltdowns. EHCP appeal set for February, but they have decided to bring that forward now due to her being in phase transfer - just waiting for new dates.
Rant over, off to chase the tribunal people now and send senco his proposed reintegration plan back with all of the Ed. Psychologist report recommendations added. Will refrain from telling him where he can stick it.
Very annoyed, in Cornwall.