How to help my 14 yo dd.

[thornrose]

My dd's annual review meeting is due, (actually it's well overdue but that's another story!)

She will be starting Yr10 in September. She has AS and dyspraxia and unofficially, dyscalculia.

She has no friends at school atm, she goes to Curriculum Support at breaks and lunch. She doesn't seem too bothered by this (on the outside) but I think if it's the same next year she is going to start feeling isolated/unhappy.

She doesn't go to form, mainly because she hates it but that can't continue into Year 10.

She doesn't do PE, for various reasons and this has to change next term too.

I don't know where to start and what I can ask the school to put in place to help her. I feel like we need a really firm plan for next year.

Is it unrealistic of me to expect school to be able to manage these issues? The SENCO seems a bit defeated by it all and quite negative.

Circle of Friends has helped lots of young people. We run this at lunchtimes.
Youth groups like ASPIRES are also great and focused on students with AS and ASD( but not sure how country- wide they are).
Teachers need to know how to help to include her, eg in group work etc.
she needs a champion on school - where in the country are you? In the SW there is a brilliant scheme called Autism Champions where staff are specially trained to help students like your DD. We have 2 in our school ( I am one)

Yes I spoke to someone about Circle of friends, she PM'd me, that wasn't you was it?

I'm in W Sussex. Autism Champions sounds amazing. I'll look into ASPIRES too.

Group work is a nightmare for her. She goes to a girls school and they seem very unsure about how to manage ASD.

I don't think it was me, though I am quite evangelical about it as it works so well!

Is it state or independent? In state there can often be more support as the SENCO should be able to draw on expertise from other schools.

Yes, PE, transition to other years, assembly etc are all classic issues. Sounds like she really needs someone in school who 'gets' her. Things might improve a bit if she has just chosen options as then she doesn't have to do so many subjects she does not enjoy.

This book is good -

www.amazon.co.uk/Aspergers-Girls-Tony-Attwood/dp/193256540X/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KPGWA0G542KYXTHRBPK

does she have someone in school who she 'clicks' with who you could request as a mentor? You could lend the book to the SENCO!!