Sixth form and possible diagnosis for Autism and ADHD

[marilynmonroe]

Hi,

I don't really know where to start. DD is 16 and just started at a new sixth form. She was so ready for a new start as she didn't like her last school much. So far she hates it and is refusing to go in. Her anxiety is through the roof. When she has gone in she comes home after an hour. She struggles at tutor time and free periods. She has a very close friend who also goes to the school and they have made some friends but she says she doesn't really have anything in common with them. She says she hates everything about it and I think she is overwhelmed. She says she struggles with making conversation with people.

The school have been very supportive and have put adaptions in place to support her anxiety but she is still refusing to go in.

We have suspected that she may have autism as she has always struggled with severe social anxiety and has terrible "spotlight" syndrome where she thinks everyone is looking at her and judging her. It's quite acute.

We've had counselling from CAMHS which she said she didn't find very helpful. Her previous school were great too at supporting her.

We have been going through a private Autism and ADHD assessment. She's done the autism part and tomorrow she is having her ADHD assessment and we should get her results then.

Her school are also coming for a home visit.

IHas anyone experience this with their child refusing to go to school? and if so were you successful in getting them back in? how did you do it? what should we do?

Any advice would be greatly received as I am desperate and panicking about what she will do with her future. Thank you for reading this far!

I meant to say that I think he has been masking up till now and she has got burn out and just can't do it anymore. We have given her days where there is no pressure to do anything so that she can just chill out and try and get b ack on the horse and this has worked sometimes but it's becoming less now.

Can DD explain what it is about the sixth form she hates? Is it ‘just’ friendship/socialising or are they other identifiable issues (beyond just ‘everything’)?

What adaptations and adjustments has the school suggested so far? Is there somewhere quiet DD can go during free periods?

Would DD be open to trying other forms of MH support? Counselling doesn’t work for all.

Does DD have an EHCP?

Has DD had OT and SALT assessments?

I think she had expectations that were very high about meeting friends quickly and all having the same interests as her and that’s not happened yet. She thinks it won’t change even though we have said it will.

she really struggles with speaking to others. We have coached her in ice breakers and she has used them but she she can clam up very easily in social situations and it stresses her out.

the school have offered her a quiet space although no one has shown her where it is and also she hasn’t been in to see it. Teachers know not to ask her any questions in class and she is allowed to leave to have a break.

I think all this is brilliant but she thinks this will put her in the spotlight even more and people will notice. She wants invisible help.

she doesn’t have an ehcp and not sure if she would reach threshold. Not sure what it would do if she is unwilling to accept help.

she’s not open to counselling yet but we will work on her.

this is eating me up inside.

I know DD isn’t open to counselling but what about other MH support? And what about OT and SALT?

I would request an EHCNA. It can help.

How are DD’s wider anxiety levels? What about her sleep and eating?

She doesn’t like to go outside by herself. She won’t go to the corner shop by herself which is close by. She’s done with friends but they are a bit useless and don’t organise anything.

what can an ot or salt do?

OT and SALT can helps with so much. For example, both help with emotion.a regulation and anxiety, OT can help with working on DD’s activities of daily living, look at the sensory side of things, help with social interaction, SALT can look social communication and interaction.