ASD - Hardly at School Now

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,

DD is hardly at school now. She is Yr 5, mainstream ASD. We have had problems for a while now.

We are looking to put other measures in place and have EHCP. Apparently likely to get rejected for Specialist Placement at the minute, although we are still going for it.

What has everyone else done in this situation.

She only managed around 5 hours in total, last week, most of this when no learning is taking place, when sensory play and social emotional work.

Hi, what are the reasons for dd not doing more hours than that, is it school refusal from dd or is it school not allowing her in?

Are school supportive?

Does she have an EHCP and 1:1 support at school? Has she seen an educational psychologist within the year?

We have had periods of refusal, but possibly for different reasons to your dd. We’re just coming to the end of a reduced timetable to get ds back into school happily following 6 months at home in lockdown. I know it’s often not popular on here as it’s seen as a form of informal exclusion but for us it has worked.

The private EP I’ve had some sessions with recently talked about emotionally based school avoidance theories as being the gold standard now, there are some pdfs further down this page as well as lots more info online:

schools.westsussex.gov.uk/Page/10483

This article by Tony Attwood is also good:

attwoodandgarnettevents.com/2018/11/29/school-refusal-by-professor-tony-attwood/

In looking for a solution, IME you need to take a long term view. Don’t worry unduly and focus on what she’s missing today or this week. Try and focus on what’s going to work to help her best in the long term so that she is happy and settled in school

That should be IMO, I don’t have lots of experience with this (not an EP)!

Have you asked for an early review or reassessment of needs?

Why isn't DD in school? Because she can't manage it or because school are excluding - formally or illegally? Reduced timetables are only legal if they are short term with the aim of reintegration.

If DD can't attend school have a statutory duty to provide education. If DD isn't in school because the school are illegally excluding her force them to make it official with official paperwork. This will help secure further support and potentially specialist provision.

Who has told you she will likely be rejected from specialist provision? The LA are likely to say this because special school places are in short supply. If that is what you want do take it to tribunal if necessary. The current school clearly aren't meeting her needs with the current level of support.