Autism: homeschooling to avoid anxiety

[sa3ida]

dear SEN mums

two of my children have autism, one is homeschooled and still without speech and i already posted asking for info and advice on TALK TOOL for him

my other child is in mainstream year 3 and is struggling with both the overload of sensory input as well as the difficulty of accessing the academic curriculum (even though he has a 1;1)

school are refusing the flexi schooling (part time) arrangement and a friend advised me to get EP + OT assessment and evidence that my son copes better in home environment ( he was much happier during lock down and during week ends and holidays in geenral) and then go to tribunal to appeal against the LA/School decision.. which might take a long time..may be a year or so

please advise me what is the best way to get my child out of school but with a funded teacher by the LA... as I cannot afford the daily private ABA tuition/input

thanks for your help and advice

Unless you actively want to EHE don’t deregister. Parents often find it is easier to get support if DC is on a school’s roll, even if they can’t attend. If you EHE it is too easy for professionals to sweep DC’s needs under the carpet.

Under section 19, Children’s Act 1996 if DS cannot attend school due to his additional needs and mental health the LA have a statutory duty to provide alternative education. Depending on individual needs this could be online tuition, home tuition, hospital school, small group centre.

As well as this does DS have an EHCP? You don’t need to pay for EP and OT assessments at this point, you can apply for an EHCNA or if he already has an EHCP ask for a reassessment of needs. If there isn’t a suitable school for DC or it would be inappropriate for DC to attend it is possible to secure EOTAS, which could include tuition, therapies and other provision.

Flexi schooling is at the discretion of individual schools, so you can’t force the school to allow it. The exception to this would be if part time provision is in an EHCP.

You should apply for an EHCP for your EHE child, and stop EHE, unless of course you actively want to continue.