Part time school/ home educating?

[wendihouse22]

My son is 10. He has autism. Attends mainstream primary school with a Statement. He recently was diagnosed additionally with OCD. This, together with the autism is having a very dramatic effect on him. His schooling has all but stopped and he has a full time one to one just to get him through the mire of checks/reassurances needed he needs on a minute by minute basis.

He's bright. Communicates well though has the social delay typical in autism. He reads well, draws well, has an eye for detail, loves his computer,he writes well. He has no life outside of home and school. He will not leave our home. He is being treated with anti-depressants by a psychiatrist for the OCD but early days yet, and no real changes.

My question.......

Last week the SENCO said that we need to think about specialist schools rather than the school they and us thought he would attend as his secondary mainstream. She said he would not survive as he is presently and that he has "victim" written all over him. I am so upset. The nearest specialist unit is 25 miles away. My son has so many issues re: travel that this is truly going to be a nightmare for him. Does anyone know if part time home schooling is an option? By that I mean, say 3 days in school and 2 days home schooling? If so, how is that financed? We have his Statement review soon, having brought it forward by the SENCO as school are at their wits end. Can they put this into the Statement?

I think if we continue as we are, my son will be so anxious that ANY school or education will be impossible. He is off today because due to staff shortages, there are not enough assistants to help him with the planed day's events. I suggested I keep him off and they agreed.

Anyone.....any advice?

Thanks from a desperate woman!

There are alternatives to specialist schools for children such as your son. These are resource bases - specialist units attached to mainstream school for children with ASD and other social and communication disorders.
they follow the national cirriculum.

Special schools vary considerably depending on the ability of the children they have. You son, if reasonably academic would find many unsuitable.

Don't rule out the private sector. If the LA cannot offer him an education which is "suitable to his age and ability then you can try to get them to pay for private provision.

Personally, I think home educating him would be playing into the LA's hands. You've removed part of what should be their problem and your son is denied the education he is entitled to.

Best wishes

Thanks so much sausagemonster......

I wouldn't want to home educate entirely as his social contact with peers would be non-existent. He is also and only child.

I will look at what's available.

Have you tried this mailing list? he-special.org.uk/ It's quite a busy list and there are plenty of people who have experience of different scenarios, so you might get some useful advice there.

One thing that occurs to me is that if school is much more stressful than home for your son at the moment, then if he were out of school entirely he might - might! - become more relaxed overall. Then you might find it easier to encourage him to leave the house, perhaps to participate in some special interest club. So your concerns about him missing social contact might not constitute such a problem as you expect.

I don't have a child with autism and so I'm not speaking from experience. However, I have heard from parents who are home educating children who have autism. They often say that removing the stress of school from their children's lives has a positive knock-on effect, and this can change their behaviour overall. They may find it easier to interact with other people elsewhere when they aren't frazzled from having done it all day at school. The mailing list I mentioned is used by many parents whose children are on the autistic spectrum, so they might be able to share their experiences.

HI - yes you can flexible home educate -and lots of schools do it. Speak to the home education advisor at your local Learning Trust or Local Authority and they will be able to advise you. I am hoping to do 4 days at school and 1 at home - although my child does not have autism. It has to be organised with the head teacher and the most important thing to know is that the child is marked as "in attendance" so it doesnt affect the schools OFSTED report. Check out the home education websites - education otherwise/freedom for children to grow and there is a lot of information as to the law. There is a website for home educating kids with SEN www.he-special.org.uk/ You have the law on your side but it can be a battle persuading the head teacher. I was advised to suggest that we try it for 6 weeks then review it as there really is no reason for them to say No. Also you need to be aware of the curriculum - you can ask the school for a copy in advance of your meeting with the HEad Teacher - and come up with a proposal as to how you would be better placed to deliver it. eg you are really creative, you would go to museums or special interest clubs. Apparantly taking them out in the afternoons is easier as you can deliver the non-curriculim stuff easily at home - going swimming instead of PE for example. Good Luck and search for part time home education on google for lots more info. PS There is no finance available in my case but I would ask the local authority or even apply to charitable trusts - look on funderfinder.org and start writing letters

Thanks for this. Some interesting stuff there.