Hi - New and Full of Questions......

Hello to Everyone

My son is 5 years old and has suspected AS. He started mainstream education in September and as predicted is not coping well even though he is already statemented and has 1-1 support. He simply hates being there most of the time and shouts at staff and children if he feels threatened. Finds it too noisy, confusing, frightening, etc. However there are some days where he seems to not mind it and comes back very active and semi-happy.

I'm exploring HE but I feel for us that going to school on a part-time basis might be beneficial as he has no siblings and seems to go down the pan mood wise in the holidays and becomes very lonely and depressed. He suffers terribly from anxiety and limits the places we go, ie. no where he has to socialise!

We live in Lancashire on the Fylde Coast and I was wondering if anyone had any experience of perhaps trying a small school on a part-time basis mixed with HE. I personally feel this would be the best option for my son. The mantle of sending him somewhere he does not want to be is becoming too hard to bear! Also wondering if there are any 'social meetings' of HE people on a regular basis.

Many thanks for your help.

Welcome.

It is possible to flexi-school at KS1 but this has to be agreed with the school and the LA officials beforehand. It's worth having a chat with the head at your son's school about the idea first to determine whether he or she will be willing to accomodate it. Having a statement will probably help in this situation because if the head is unwilling to allow flexi-schooling then you have a direct access to LA SEN officials who you can take it up with. Remember that flexi-schooling is not permanent and it can be implemented on a one term at a time basis in case it doesn't work out well or is no longer required. I hope this advice is useful.

I shall have a search for any local HE groups in the Fylde coast area.