Mentions SH
I’m really struggling and don’t even know what I’m asking, but has anyone been through something similar and can advise me how to cope? I honestly feel like I’m drowning with no escape.
My son (Year 9) has ADHD, ASD with a PDA profile, severe dyslexia, high anxiety and EBSA. We’re waiting for tribunal after being refused an EHCNA earlier this year. School say they’re out of options, so AP/OOST is the next step, but I can’t even see that working right now. He’s only managed 1.5 days in school this academic year, even on a reduced timetable. There are ongoing self-harm concerns and big outbursts at home, sometimes violent. Today he’s told me he wants to h*ng himself, then later took it back. I can’t see elective home education being safe or workable either because of the level of dysregulation.
I feel like I’ve approached every single service out there — CAMHS, GP, talking therapy, charities like PEGS, The Elm Foundation, early help (children’s services) — but we’re just stuck on waiting lists. I’m also a full-time teacher myself, currently signed off with a broken wrist from a previous meltdown, and I don’t know how we’ll cope financially or emotionally if things carry on like this. He says I’m not helping and don’t understand him, despite him knowing all the stuff I’m trying to do to support him behind the scenes with school, his MH etc. I feel like a punching bag and like crap all the time, when I’m just trying to help him.
If anyone has been in this position — waiting for tribunal, child out of school, services slow to respond — how did you manage the day-to-day? What helped you get through, practically or emotionally?