How did you kid cope with school move?

[Brightsideisbetter]

Have you moved schools and if so how did your child cope?

Our son (8) has dyslexia and autism and is in main stream school. He has been incredibly unhappy last year from a combination of:

-struggling with his dyslexia, he finds English and French very difficult.

-a toxic friendship. His “friend” makes him feel bad by telling him he “does not care about his opinions” tells him he is slow in lessons , can be physical and threatening. It’s been great over summer as we have not had this kid in our life. When he was mentioned my son clenched up and got really angry. It’s been on going for a year. He is clearly a massive negative in his life. I have complained to school they have not done much. But next year separated them into new classes.

We had school refusal on some days. I felt so strongly the friendship was negatively affecting him that I considered moving to another primary school. They now have places. My son is open to moving and I am having a wobble. I am weighing up the impact of the change to not knowing anyone or routine for a boy with autism V trying to overcome this toxic friendship (next year they are in different classes). But most issues happen at break time. Most of the other kids play football which my son struggles with.

Would love to hear experiences of others who have moved with kids with autism and how they coped.

Many thanks

If you can, I would speak to the potential new school because moving without further support in place could be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Have you requested an EHCNA?

Hello is this similar to an EHCP? If so, no we don’t have one- yet am keen to try for one. He was only diagnosed with both autism and dyslexia in the past school year and it took a lot of energy to get these diagnoses so need to regroup and take a breath before trying to get further support.

An EHCNA is the needs assessment you first request as part of the process of getting an EHCP. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. Don’t delay because many have to appeal, some more than once, and appeals are taking a very long time.

Thank you. I will look into it.