Working with autistic child

[OoohWhatchaSay]

My son is autistic and I'm finding my job impossible to work around our life now. I'd love to hear from fellow SEN parents whether you are able to work or not, and how you manage this. I can get calls at any time asking to collect my son from school which makes my current job completely unsuitable. Are there any flexible jobs which I could do from home and then complete throughout the day/evening(/night if needs be!), or am I searching for the impossible!?

Any help or advice welcome, from a very desperate and defeated mum 😥

For many years I didn’t work due to DC’s needs. Last year I started working part time TTO in a job that is flexible. It’s possible because we have all the support for DS1 and DS3 in place.

When you say you get calls from school, are they formal exclusions or illegal, informal ones? Does DS have an EHCP?

Thank you for your reply. I'm pleased to hear you've found something ideal for your situation. It gives me hope!

My son isn't yet 5 so he's still on a reduced hours timetable. If he gets completely overwhelmed/melts down, I often get called earlier as he/they just cannot cope. I'm very concerned about how this is going to work going forward with my work situation...

If DS is in reception you are entitled to have DS attend full time. The school can’t insist DS attends part time and should not be calling you because the school can’t cope unless they are formally excluding him otherwise it is an informal, illegal exclusion. If you want DS to attend full time you need to refuse to collect him unless they formally exclude - don’t worry if they do as it provides you with evidence of unmet needs.

If DS has an EHCP you need to request an early review. If he doesn’t you need to request an EHCNA.

He is only in reception and he does have an EHCP. I'm happy with the current agreement of collecting when needed as it took months of this at preschool until he fully settled for a whole session. So I'm hopeful this will improve by the time he is 5 in July.

I'd just love to have a less stressful/more flexible job and desperate for suggestions!

DS is 9, suspected ASD - we're waiting for assessment - and school refusing. I work nearly full time but only manage it because I have a very understanding employer. DH & I both work from home which helps and DHs hours are as and when he can.