Please help!

[nobodyshome]

I have ds who is 7 years old and autistic. his school has said that they are struggling to cope and we are now teaching him at home. he goes to school at lunchtime to socialize but i feel let down. he's so much happier but i feel like i'm cracking up. is anyone else tackling home ed and if so can you help?

why is the school struggling? is he at SN school or mainstream? Could he do part time at school to give you a break?

I home edded my older 3, one with Aspergers. But if you want your lad at school he should have a statement and the support he needs. The school are acting illegally (human rights act, can't recall which section but its got 'right to an education' in it)
Call the LA and ask for an assessment for a statement. They are not allowed to refuse although they may tell you that. IPSEA and Supportive Parnets can help with advice etc.

There are support groups for parents with bairns on the autistic spectrum -have you contacted any of them yet? They will help with info and provide funding for holidays, special toys etc. I am in the scottish system and schools here have to provide teacher/+ auxilliary support to help youngsters with specific needs. As an ASN teacher we have several lads with aspergers who are in mainstream classes with time spent in ASN to help with social skills and school work. If you are happy with the school he was in, have you tried asking what support they can offer? It's good to go armed with what they should offer here!! If they can't or refuse, are there any other schools in your area that have a better inclusion policy set in place? You have the choice of mainstream or Special school. You will know best which will suit your child. Home Education can be excellent, but it is not the only way to go. You do have choices.. good luck!

I agree with the others that the mainstream school should be giving him a one-to-one - my ASD 4 year old would not be able to cope for a minute in his ms classroom without his. But have you thought about doing a home ABA program to work on his speech and behaviours, with a view to gradually getting him back into school (with a helper). I think my boy would not be talking or behaving well if we had not done ABA - it has been a life-saver. The tutors come to your home and charge between £10 and £20 per hour, depending on experience. We have had to remortgage the house to do it, but it is worth it for every word he now has. Finally I got a statement and the LEA now pay 2/3 of the costs. If you want to talk more, just let me know, as I know downcast you must feel.

I home ed my boys, one age 13, autistic/adhd, and one age 7. aspergers, cerebral palsy, and have done so for 8 years. Please email me if you want to chat [email protected]

Absolutely! I'm not particularly pro-home ed, more a victim of circumstance!

I have tried to get him a statement but the ed board told me he would not be considered because of his IQ. I'm not sure that i have enough energy for a battle but a couple of hours in the morn is the only time i had for myself. Is that selfish?

it's impossible to keep going longterm unless you have regular time to recharge..so its not selfish - but practial and sensible to take time out for yourself. I'm a little confused about your remark that he couldn't be statemented becasue of his IQ. In Scotland we have high IQ pupils on the AUtistic SPectrum in mainstream with support, and those with a lower IQ in a base with time in mainstream classes only if appropriate and much supported. Try getting in touch with a support group for info and advice how to tackle this. Is your Educational Psychologist approachable? The law in Scotland gives parents a lot of rights in the decision making process and by law the pupil has to get the educational provision best suited for him/her. Is it the same in England? Get help in this battle ...don't struggle on alone.

it's impossible to keep going longterm unless you have regular time to recharge..so its not selfish - but practial and sensible to take time out for yourself. I'm a little confused about your remark that he couldn't be statemented becasue of his IQ. In Scotland we have high IQ pupils on the AUtistic SPectrum in mainstream with support, and those with a lower IQ in a base with time in mainstream classes only if appropriate and much supported. Try getting in touch with a support group for info and advice how to tackle this. Is your Educational Psychologist approachable? The law in Scotland gives parents a lot of rights in the decision making process and by law the pupil has to get the educational provision best suited for him/her. Is it the same in England? Get help in this battle ...don't struggle on alone.