Reduced Timetable for Autistic burnout?

[MorrowTreasure]

My DD just started at a sixth form different to her secondary school this autumn and is in autistic burnout now. She is having difficulty with the travelling and noise and dealing with so many students, changes and free periods no canteen etc. It’s all just a bit much for her and she’s now quite ill. I’ve had a meeting with her senco who suggested she sit in an empty office for her frees which isn’t any help. I have proposed a slightly reduced timetable where she does maybe 3 single periods at home as they work from PowerPoints so she can complete that easily. She finds the work really manageable and likes it and is capable of doing some of it at home, she’s very self disciplined and is a very high grade student. So I was surprised the Senco just said no. Anyway she said she would pass my suggestion onto the head of sixth form who asked to see her ASD report on Friday. I’m wondering if they’ll just offer her no accommodations at all? Apart from the empty office room to sit in. Which isn’t helpful.

Does DD have an EHCP?

The sixth form must make reasonable adjustments.

Are the periods you want DD to have at home all for the same subject? Are they classed as lessons or independent study periods? For DD’s ‘free’ periods/other independent study periods, does she spend them at home or at school?

No she doesn’t have a EHCP. She was really well supported at her last school and managed well. The periods I suggested are single lessons. The frees are 2-3 hours long periods which I am trying to eliminate as they really deregulate her. School is an hour away so she can’t come home for them. So the single periods on a couple of the days are after a 3hour free period and I think if she came home and did her lesson online those days she’d manage better.

Are the periods you want DD to miss for the same subject? If so, I think it is less likely the school will agree.

Is the school offering adjustments for the free periods as well?

I would request an EHCNA.

Yes they are but I would be happy with a compromise of just making even one of her days easier so just one lesson even. For the frees they come and go as they want.

I think it is unlikely the school will agree to missing 3 lessons from the same subject. That’s a significant chunk of one subject’s time.

I think also it is unlikely they’ll agree but I was hoping if only a single lesson that she could do the PowerPoint at the same time and hand in as she does anyway in the lesson just remotely.

Can she not sit her a levels at the last school?
I’d be checking out what other schools in he area are more accommodating.
Some sencos / heads are nuts - power as it could be such a battle even with an EHCP.
Online school? Always options don’t force which will be such a battle especially if she is 1 hr from home
Good luck

Also, do book a dr apt for her being “unwell” as they can turn quickly schools and you need your evidence.

Health is massive maybe this school doesn’t work due to the people / environment. Lots of options don’t let her get so depressed with the stress of it all. More to life thaj exams

Thanks yes I agree. I’ve tried to persuade her to go to somewhere nearer or even online but she really likes the teachers and friends etc just the environment that’s so hard and logistics. We’ve had an appointment with the dr and they’ve said the school should be trying to make adjustments but I haven’t heard anything back from school yet at all.

Oh, poor girl. Would school be open to looking at the report with you? Sometimes it gets people talking about what's actually doable day to day.

It is unlikely 3 lessons from one subject would be considered a reasonable adjustment. That is a good chunk of one subject, and depending on the setting may even be more than half of the subject’s timetabled lessons.