Please or to access all these features

SN teens and young adults

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on SN.

DofE assessments

4 replies

DIYDinner · 12/09/2024 17:05

DS with autism is happily doing bronze DofE via Explorer Scouts but things have dragged on and we're now 18+ months down the line with 70% of it in hand but it feels like wading through treacle.

For the skill he's diligently attended two terms of weekly knitting sessions at school. He can knit, I've seen him knit. Teacher says he can knit. She's happy to sign it off as his bronze skill saying he's persevered, attended every session and learned a new skill.

The problem is that he knits so slowly and unravels most of it afterwards. Explorers say they're not approving it unless he produces something specific he's made. All we have is a bag of 6-7 teabag sized squares. It seems really unfair to push him to do more given the requirement is meant to only be 12 hours over 3 months.

Has anyone else had similar probs with getting DofE components signed off when one party (i.e. school who do DofE themselves) is happy to sign a component off but the main assessor is saying they won't accept it??

OP posts:
Rumplestiltz · 14/09/2024 16:06

Can you make them part of a cushion cover - sew them alll onto a plain cover in a cross shape or three on each side, and then stuff it or put a cushion pad inside.
How absurd of them.

DIYDinner · 16/09/2024 11:36

That's a nice idea though not enough of them... instead I've now got him some giant needles and fat yarn and he's going to do a chunky scarf. I think it's more motivating for him when the size of the stitches means it grows quickly. What a performance though.

OP posts:
Theonlyoneiknow · 24/09/2024 10:21

Is the main assessor aware your DS is autistic? Fingers crossed with the scarf!

DIYDinner · 24/09/2024 15:18

Theonlyoneiknow · 24/09/2024 10:21

Is the main assessor aware your DS is autistic? Fingers crossed with the scarf!

It's on his scout profile but I doubt things joined up to take into account. I will flag if need be. Nothing specific on DofE website outlining adjustments for SEN.

Also DS has no admitted only 1 out of 3 teachers signing off the physical/skill/volunteer components were ever asked to do so. And now he's too shy/resistant to ask the other two. Not quite ready yet anyway but now I have to badger him repeatedly to do this and it's just so exhausting.

I think I shall deserve a DofE myself at the end of this.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page