anyone know of a funding source for private tutor?

[Cardboardstuff]

Hi, 11yo DS with AS has missed a fair percentage of Year 7, due to anxiety triggered by the transition to secondary school. It's getting better, but he's missed a lot. I've been recommended a private tutor who sounds amazing with kids with ASD, and I'd love to give it a go for an hour a week. We have absolutely no spare cash for this (grrr) and so I wondered if anyone knew of any funding I could apply for that could be used for it? We already get short breaks but obviously that can't be used for tuition.

Thanks, yes, he does get DLA. Even with that we're incredibly stretched (usual story of working part-time in order to support DS, advocate for him, fill in forms etc!). I keep coming across funding you can apply for for laptops, other equipment etc, but what we really need is help with school work. I would very happily do more school stuff with him but it's murder- getting him to do the bare minimum homework is quite enough of a challenge!

Are you eligible for Carer's allowance too?

Only funding sources I know are Caudwell and Family Fund but it's probably more for equipment.

We had a private tutor for ds to help with dyslexia/ organisation problems when school support stopped. Although he found concentrating out of school tough he did find it helpful enough to want to continue.
There are often local charities that will fund small amounts. Some of them are specifically for educational purposes. Google your local area + charitable trusts.

I agree with polter, if he is behind it is the schools responsibility to put extra support in to help him.

Working with a tutor at home could cause a whole lot more stress and add to his problems.

For many children and young people with AS/Asd home is home and school is school.

Are his needs being met at school?

Thanks- didn't notice til now that there were more replies! Yes he has a statement and no they're not meeting his needs. He is super-anxious about school, cannot concentrate, cannot organise himself, having very much a not great time. I'm having real trouble getting the school to understand the concept of anxiety - I feel like making a huge, fuck-off sign about anxiety that says 'IT'S INVISIBLE, YOU CAN'T SEE IT!' Sorry, I'm letting off steam a bit coz I'm feel the rage tonight... I can feel a rant coming on so I ought to reign myself in (not at anyone here you realise but I'm getting worked up just thinking about the return to school on Monday and having to deal with all manner of fuckwittery again.... )

Ha ha, I might've had a glass of wine (it doesn't take much these days) before writing my post last night - sorry for the ranty tone! Need to get back to the mindfulness meditation!

If he is only in yr 7 I wouldnt worry about his progress too much, he has plenty of time to catch up. He wont learn while he is anxious but the school need to see that for themselves, they will need him to make progress for their tick boxes so are more likely to act if he doesnt!

I would have the rant at the school and let them know how disappointed you are, also I woud email his statementing officer and tell him/her that the provisions on his statement are not in place.

Time to get tough on the school I think!

Either that or look at alternatives.

Good luck