Teenager with Aspergers and anxiety what support can I reasonably expect from the school

[amaygdala58]

Can anybody identify with my situation and advise me what support I can reasonably expect the school to provide and when I should change tact with them to get the support my dd needs.

Dd at state grammar school. The school advised me they suspected Aspergers but left further course of action to me informing me that it would be a long wait for CAMHS.

While I took all this in my daughters behaviour deteriorated. We obtained a private assessment ASD ( Aspergers ) a year ago. Have also had a full cognitive profile done by Educational Psychologist which ruled out any learning difficulties as dyslexia was suspected.

It was discovered problem was with my daughters vision so special tests done privately as NHS would not support in my area - so specialist preccription to correct lots of issues.

Dd has had a lot of absence due to anxiety from the classroom environment. She spent some time on a limited time in school studying on her own until the school arranged for an outside autism specialist to come in and help with the anxiety - this person was a breath of fresh air she really understood autism but the exercises to help my daughter manage her anxiety were not as fruitful because it was explained to me that DD is alexthimic so is unable to express any of her own emotions.

We have just tried a reduced timetable with one to one support in the classroom but this has not worked.

Yesterday my DD had a massive meltdown in the school reception area as she attempted to explain to her one to one why things were not working.

Dd just says to me why aren’t they listening to me when I tell them why I can’t function.

Class sizes too big for her work too easy - then she starts getting anxious teachers just giving extension work to keep occupied but my daughter wants to move on faster than rest of class.

Her meltdowns have also become more violent - ie head banging really hard

I have kept a very polite and relaxed relationship with the school but not sure where this will be going now what else can the suggest. I want to keep on side with them as ultimately they still could be the conduit to getting the right education for my DD. In the meantime the school refered DD to CAMHS re her anxiety they have just responded does not meet our criteria and school need to address.

Any insights or comments gratefully received.

Quite simply the school is not meeting her needs hence the melt downs and anxiety. CAHMS presumably will not get involved as the anxiety is a result of her autism, not anxiety per se.

Does your daughter have an EHCP? If not, I'd ask for an EHC needs assessment and start looking round at other schools, especially ones that specialise in educating children with autism.

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

Ellie56 thank you for your reply you are correct after this weeks events with the school I realise it’s time for me to take lead on this - why can’t they just be honest and tell me this - I guess they just don’t like to admit when they have failed one of their pupils

Either that or they are doing the best they can with the budget they have.

Or it could be the whole environment is wrong for her. Too big, too busy, too noisy. Perhaps she needs somewhere smaller, calmer and quieter.If she has sensory issues, even things like the colour of the paint on the walls or the sound of the overhead lighting humming could be affecting her.

And a lot of mainstream staff just don't get autism.