Feeling broken. School Avoidant Teens.

[PositiveVibesOnlyPls]

I need some positive stories. My heart is broken for my autistic young teen; he’s been out of school for over a year and has today broken down because he wants so badly to go back to school but he can’t overcome his fears. (We are slowly getting support, he has an EHCP).

Severe anxiety has robbed him of friendships and of a good education and of the ability to go to youth groups. I’m his only friend.

I’ve held it together but today, I am angry and devastated for my lovely boy.

Has anyone had a school avoidant child who has become happy and made friends?

__I have tried everything to help him but he can not get passed his anxiety. Please be kind .

Yes. 1:1 home tuition is part of DS1’s EOTAS package.

1:1 home tuition can also be provided via s.19 provision even without an EHCP. Although it is still worth applying as an EHCP can provide so much more.

14 seems to be a common age for this to happen. It literally took a couple of small things to happen and DS just became totally overwhelmed and unable to go in to school.
I wonder if hormonal changes can exacerbate things.

JustKeepBuilding That's* *reallyhelpful. Thank you.

Who do I push for this? Some 1 to 1 tuition at home could well be the way to go.

I didn't put that on the EHCP application but I'm guessing it could be added. More than 15 days have already been missed. Most have been recorded as unauthorised absence but we have a GP appointment next week and I believe if I asked the GP would back up that these absences are medical.

@Lindy2 Email the LA’s Director of Children’s Services informing them of the situation and requesting provision under s.19 of The Education Act 1996. If you are ignored or provision isn’t forthcoming ASAP email again reminding them of their statutory duties and threatening judicial review if the provision isn’t provided ASAP. If that then fails contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

You didn’t need to mention it in the EHCNA request. The initial threshold for an EHCNA is relatively low. If the LA agree to assess you will be able to share your further views as part of the needs assessment. If an EHCP is issued the provision in it is taken from the reports.

What week of the EHCP process are you on? Is the LA sticking to the timescales?

The absences should be authorised, you need to challenge the school on this.

JustKeepBuilding Thank you. I'll look into all of that.

The EHCP has only just gone in. The initial request was approximately 3 weeks ago and I've been submitting more details and medical letters/evidence since then. It's a parent application but supported by the school.

Make sure the LA stick to the timescales, they often don’t unless parents keep on top of the process. They must inform you whether they are going to assess or not by week 6.

If they do assess make sure all the necessary assessments are undertaken including SALT, OT, psychiatrist &/or clinical psychologist.

Appeal if the LA refuse to assess, the majority of appeals are upheld.

Has anyone got any advice on requesting an EHCP without a diagnosis? Is it even possible?

EHCPs are based on needs, not diagnosis so a diagnosis isn’t required.

My daughter missed a lot of her final year of primary but then seemed fine at secondary school. She has lovely group of friends and academically was doing well. She is 15 and about to sit exams, she did well in her practise exams. But last week she wasn't able to go to school and now she just says she can't go back. School are being very helpful but it's breaking our hearts. We really went through the wringer with her in primary and the thought of doing it all again is exhausting.

Placemarking to read later. I have an autistic 15yo who has completely stopped going to school. It's hell, for her and for us.

Gather lots of evidence. Find every letter from every appointment (medical and school). Be specific about needs.

Yes I have applied for EHCPs for my two children, both at a time when they were awaiting assessments.

Legally they are based on needs not diagnosis. But evidence of need is important so gather evidence of the needs.

As well as a hospital centre educational provision for 14 hours a week, my child has online tutoring paid for under the NTP scheme ( the Covid catch up funding). She is also prescribed Fluoxetine via a CAMHS psychiatrist - we firstly had a private prescription that was then taken over by the NHS after a long wait for the psychiatrist on the NHS. It has made a big difference being educated for a few hours a day in a therapeutic centre rather than barely attending mainstream - not many students, others with autism, MH issues and conditions like Tourette’s so not feeling ‘weird’ all the time. No uniform, no bells and you don’t have to talk ( has situational mutism) and quite a few others don’t speak. Also, all the staff are highly trained and there are quiet places/ sensory rooms so meltdowns and shutdowns are avoided. Alas, she’ll have to go back to mainstream next year, as she wants to do A-Levels.

Alas, she’ll have to go back to mainstream next year, as she wants to do A-Levels.

This isn't true, if she can't be in school you can get provision away from school under an EOTAS arrangement.

This is what my son did, and my daughter now does.

My son is now in mainstream 6th form doing A Levels, he has been able to manage his acute anxiety with therapy and anti- d's . He didn't step a foot in school from year 7.

Alas, she’ll have to go back to mainstream next year, as she wants to do A-Levels.

DD can do A levels without returning to mainstream. If DD has an EHCP there are a minority of specialist schools that offer A levels and if no school is suitable there is EOTAS. And an EHCP can include so much more such as SALT, OT, MH therapies. If DD doesn’t have an EHCP you need to apply.

DD should be receiving more than just 14 hours of education a week as that isn’t a suitable, full time education. Although that doesn’t necessarily mean academic work.

Should have said A LEVELs can also be done away from school under EOTAS, this might well be what my daughter will do in 2 years.

My son wanted and felt able to adjust to mainstream for A- Levels, if he wasn't able to do this he would have remained on an EOTAS arrangement.

We have an EHCP and our y9 child is now out of education due to overwhlem and anxiety. The LA has been dragging their heels and kept our EHCP in draft for months to avoid allowing us to go to mediation and tribunal. They are refusing to fund anything at the moment. I am so angry & sad about the lack of support and care available.

@EdwardTeachBornOnABeach If DC can’t attend school full time the LA must provide alternative arrangements so DC receives a suitable full time education. This should have begun once it became clear DC would miss 15 days. If this isn’t in place email the Director of Children’s Services informing them of the situation and requesting provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. If that doesn’t work email again threatening judicial review. Then if that fails contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

If the LA are in breach of the statutory EHCP timescales email to the Director of Children’s Services about this too, threatening judicial review unless they finalise ASAP. If that doesn’t work contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

@EdwardTeachBornOnABeach your post struck a chord with me as my child is yr9 and has had a couple of yrs out of school but has been attending full time since last summer.
If it's at all feasible have a look around an international school. The change in curriculum and size of school has made all the difference. I just wanted her to attend school, but she achieving now too, which was something not necessarily expected.
It is private, but lowest end of scale. My dds ehcp funds it, and took time but was eventually approved last month.

www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Not-Wont-Couldnt-School/dp/1839975202

Not sure if that link worked, this lady (Eliza Fricker) started off blogging/on Twitter etc she was a lifesaver for me when my DD was unable to go to school, has now written a book about her experiences with her child.

Same @HangerLaneGyratorySystem Her illustrations cut through the noise so perfectly.

Please follow the advice of @JustKeepBuilding , I've had to do this with 2 children.

The Local Authority don't meet their legal obligation because of the costs. The rely on parents giving up. The law is on your side.

You can also, in addition to what @JustKeepBuilding has advised raise a complaint with LGSCO which has the power to make a determination and award compensation in the event of the failure of an LA to meet obligations under s. 19. I have done this in the past, successfully, for my child in a similar situation. You have to have followed & completed the complaints process before lodging a claim to the LGSCO.

I have just shared this on the autism thread...this is a long but incredibly informative read particularly if you have a DC or particularly a DD who quite suddenly started refusing school (as I did) I hope schools have received it as the advice for them is brilliant but whether they act on it is another matter.

autisticgirlsnetwork.org/keeping-it-all-inside/

@lifeturnsonadime We had a LGO complaint upheld too.