going to college

[purplehaze]

Hi everyone-I had a meeting at the college today to discuss my sons possible support needs. I was told by the lady that she was very worried that he wont cope (he wants to do a level 1 mechanics courses when he leaves school this year) with the size of the college and the rowdy ways of the others on the course etc. She said she will put in for 1:1 support but is very concerned still as she doesn't want him to go backwards or copy behaviours etc as he has had a positive change in the new SEN school. She said that he couldn't cope in mainstream school so was worried he wouldn't cope at college.

 

Has anyone had a child go to a special school and then onto college-if so I would love to here your story (what support etc). xxx

[oxgirl]

We're having this struggle at the moment too. My lad is in an ASD unit attached to mainstream school doing a reduced timetable and is due to move on this year. Trouble is, he won't cope on his own in mainstream, everyone is saying he needs a LOT of support, which isn't forthcoming at the colleges. However, he is academically very able, likely to get straight As in all three sciences, so is too able for the ASD unit at the college, which leaves us exactly nowhere! School say they don't think he'll cope with the pressure of A levels in sixth form, quite apart from the fact that he'll be socially isolated and apart from all the others, just as he has been for the last 5 years. We're at our wits end.

 

~ Mel ~

[Kazzen161]

When I was looking at colleges, it was suggested that it woudl be better for my son to do a higher level course than level 1 (eg: BTec) as the cohort on level 1 courses were likely to be the sort of children who would be less tolerant of children with ASD (more likely to tease, bully).

 

Agricultural colleges often offer a quieter and kinder environment for our children, and they may offer mechanics courses.

[oxgirl]

When I was looking at colleges, it was suggested that it woudl be better for my son to do a higher level course than level 1 (eg: BTec) as the cohort on level 1 courses were likely to be the sort of children who would be less tolerant of children with ASD (more likely to tease, bully).

 

Agricultural colleges often offer a quieter and kinder environment for our children, and they may offer mechanics courses.

 

My lad would suit a level 3 course, but they don't offer any support for level 3 courses, they're expected to get on with it on their own. They only seem to support at foundation level, but he's far too able for that.

 

~ Mel ~

[purplehaze]

oxigirl, I was told that my son could probably manage the academic side of things but it is everything else. no wonder the NAS are saying there is a high percentage of adults with ASD's not working-the world isn't offering the right support for them to achieve from school to the adult world. Dont even get me started on the right support throughout school to achieve and go on to college.

 

Basically I feel like i've been offered to set my son up and him fail or you never know he might make it but I doubt it!!!

[baddad]

Hi purplehaze -

 

I don't know how your son feels about school, but one thing to consider if he doesn't like school is that he actually wants to go to college and achieve this. That's a very different thing to someone who feels 'forced' into doing something they don't want to do...

 

Having said that, he has painted himself into a bit of a corner either way, because if he needed that kind of support in school (whether because he was 'bucking against the system' or couldn't cope) then that by definition will be the 'starting point' when considering a further education placement.

 

I think the best way to go if he is making advances in school at the moment is to try and 'consolidate' that to make sure he leaves with the best tracke record he can have over the remaining few months. If you can do something else - either as part of his school activities or outside of school - to provide further evidence of him 'coping' in less supported circumstances (maybe some work experience or part time work or attendance at a social club/group something like that) that could help too. If you explain the reasons for pushing him to do this and he can see that it's the means to an end he values it would be approx 6 months 'experience' he can impress upon the college support advisor.

 

One other thing to think about is that this September doesn't have to be the 'final goal'... if he needs more time there will still be other opportunities to gain the qualification he wants, and a year 'out' to attend some supported lifeskills and self-management training would put him in a better position when he is ready to cope at college.

 

Hope that helps

 

L&P

 

BD

[Sally44]

Why can't a child be supported at the same level in college?

I thought Statements went post 16?

[Kazzen161]

I can't see why they can't support him - my friend's son had support to do A levels.

 

Have you got Connexions involved? A statement is replaced by a Section 139a when the child moves on to most colleges. It is a bit like the Statement (lists needs and help required), but doesn't have the legal backing of a Statement.

 

I would certainly suggest trying all local colleges - they vary a lot in their atttitude/support for SEN. Our closest college is not half as supportive as the one 15 miles away.

 

If he really needs a level of support that local colleges cannot offer, then you should be looking at specialist colleges (eg: Priory or Cambian ones) that enable the child to access mainstream courses.

[Kathryn]

Why can't a child be supported at the same level in college?

I thought Statements went post 16?

 

Statements only go beyond 16 (up to 19) if a pupil remains on the roll of a school - e.g. goes into a school 6th form or special school which takes pupils beyond 16.

 

Sometimes college can work, even for young people who have been in a school environment with a lot of support. As Kazzen says, colleges differ in what they offer and as BD says, motivation is everything. My daughter would not be where she was today i.e. on the verge of going to uni if it wasn't for the support of some lovely and very dedicated individuals at our bog standard local FE college who rescued her from an education system which had badly let her down and left her an emotional wreck who could barely manage everyday life skills. Maybe we were just lucky with our FE college (which is by no means perfect), but I think it's also been her determination to climb back into education which has made it work.

 

I posted about this on Paula's recent thread about college - my post is no.10 but the whole thread is interesting:

 

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.ph...mp;#entry279596

 

K x

Edited February 2, 2010 by Kathryn

[oxgirl]

If he really needs a level of support that local colleges cannot offer, then you should be looking at specialist colleges (eg: Priory or Cambian ones) that enable the child to access mainstream courses.

 

We've looked into these but my lad doesn't feel ready to take that enormous step to residential yet and is too able for the ASD unit, which leaves ZERO!

 

~ Mel ~

[oxgirl]

oxigirl, I was told that my son could probably manage the academic side of things but it is everything else. no wonder the NAS are saying there is a high percentage of adults with ASD's not working-the world isn't offering the right support for them to achieve from school to the adult world. Dont even get me started on the right support throughout school to achieve and go on to college.

 

Basically I feel like i've been offered to set my son up and him fail or you never know he might make it but I doubt it!!!

 

Sounds like we're in very similar positions. I'm just worried that so many options will get crossed off the list that we'll have nothing left on the list at all, then he'll be stuck in his room 24/7 without the skills or confidence he'll need to get into employment. I'm so worried about what's going to happen to him, I'm sure you feel the same, totally helpless. <'>

 

~ Mel ~

[pearl]

JP had pretty much f/t support in 6th form (separate establishment from his school) - I honestly can't remember whether his statement went with him. We were very lucky in that his college was regarded as a benchmark in AS provision - it had a dedicated department with support staff, but there was no segregation - apart from having an SA JP was treated like the regular kids. He did a BTec in IT.

 

I did worry that he might not be able to make the transition to work unsupported, but he seems to be doing fine. I think the lesson we learned is not to worry if a child needs lots of support - give it when its needed & don't worry too much about the future. Getting it is a different matter though - hope you get something sorted.

[Kazzen161]

We've looked into these but my lad doesn't feel ready to take that enormous step to residential yet and is too able for the ASD unit, which leaves ZERO!

 

~ Mel ~

 

I believe some offer day placements if you live close enough.

[Sally44]

We've looked into these but my lad doesn't feel ready to take that enormous step to residential yet and is too able for the ASD unit, which leaves ZERO!

 

~ Mel ~

 

Sometimes visiting the school makes all the difference because then they can see what it is like rather than try to imagine it. And you may find there is one close enough for him to be a day pupil, or stay during the week and come home weekends.

[purplehaze]

Hi purplehaze -

 

I don't know how your son feels about school, but one thing to consider if he doesn't like school is that he actually wants to go to college and achieve this. That's a very different thing to someone who feels 'forced' into doing something they don't want to do...

 

Having said that, he has painted himself into a bit of a corner either way, because if he needed that kind of support in school (whether because he was 'bucking against the system' or couldn't cope) then that by definition will be the 'starting point' when considering a further education placement.

 

I think the best way to go if he is making advances in school at the moment is to try and 'consolidate' that to make sure he leaves with the best tracke record he can have over the remaining few months. If you can do something else - either as part of his school activities or outside of school - to provide further evidence of him 'coping' in less supported circumstances (maybe some work experience or part time work or attendance at a social club/group something like that) that could help too. If you explain the reasons for pushing him to do this and he can see that it's the means to an end he values it would be approx 6 months 'experience' he can impress upon the college support advisor.

 

One other thing to think about is that this September doesn't have to be the 'final goal'... if he needs more time there will still be other opportunities to gain the qualification he wants, and a year 'out' to attend some supported lifeskills and self-management training would put him in a better position when he is ready to cope at college.

 

Hope that helps

 

L&P

 

BD

 

My son is doing a one day a week work experience place as part of his new schools programme and has been doing it since November, he also has been doing a basic engineering course in the same college (yes for school children like him & with support) since October/November and also has been learning to drive a car & moped as part of his school lessons-this is why i'm so shocked to the response of the college-they told me that doing all these things are completly different because they are things that are aimed at children like my son and attending a 'normal' college course is completly different. It's just that no one gave me any idea that he wouldn't be able to do it-so I was shocked in the meeting when I was told. X

[purplehaze]

Sounds like we're in very similar positions. I'm just worried that so many options will get crossed off the list that we'll have nothing left on the list at all, then he'll be stuck in his room 24/7 without the skills or confidence he'll need to get into employment. I'm so worried about what's going to happen to him, I'm sure you feel the same, totally helpless. <'>

 

~ Mel ~

 

Oxgirl-We are in similar positions and I too am so worried about what's going to happen to him. I had a conversation with my autism advisory person on Monday and said one of my fears is that he wants to live on his own eventially and becomes someone that doesn't eat, wash, clean properly and has no job or future and although he probably would be happy with this-it breaks my heart.

 

After my meeting with the college and him hearing what was said-he has told me he doesn't want to go to college and he wants to stay at home.

 

The head of my son's outreach programme is going to speak to the college so I'll have to wait and see!!!

 

I had an e-mail from my local MP the other day because I sent an e-mail about a NAS campaign and it said if I have any problems to get in touch-I think I may be doing that. xxx

[oxgirl]

I believe some offer day placements if you live close enough.

 

Unfortunately, we don't though!

 

~ Mel ~

[oxgirl]

Sometimes visiting the school makes all the difference because then they can see what it is like rather than try to imagine it. And you may find there is one close enough for him to be a day pupil, or stay during the week and come home weekends.

 

We visited two, applied, went through the assessment processes, had overnight stays, etc. and he couldn't cope with the idea. We don't live near enough to be a day pupil either.

 

~ Mel ~

[oxgirl]

Oxgirl-We are in similar positions and I too am so worried about what's going to happen to him. I had a conversation with my autism advisory person on Monday and said one of my fears is that he wants to live on his own eventially and becomes someone that doesn't eat, wash, clean properly and has no job or future and although he probably would be happy with this-it breaks my heart.

 

After my meeting with the college and him hearing what was said-he has told me he doesn't want to go to college and he wants to stay at home.

 

The head of my son's outreach programme is going to speak to the college so I'll have to wait and see!!!

 

I had an e-mail from my local MP the other day because I sent an e-mail about a NAS campaign and it said if I have any problems to get in touch-I think I may be doing that. xxx

 

Good luck with the college, I hope they can put some support in place for your lad. We had an interview today at a college but we don't even know if he'd get transport there or not, it seems unlikely. It's 19 miles away and he'd need to get three different buses, about a 2 hour journey. He can't even walk to town on his own yet, it's just impossible.

I'm so terrified that my lad will end up living a totally isolated life, living at home with us until we die and then being all alone in this world with no-one to turn to or to care about him. Like you say, you see these programmes about hermits who hoard things and never wash or go out or see anyone, and I'm afraid of him ending up like that.

 

~ Mel ~

[Kathryn]

We had an interview today at a college but we don't even know if he'd get transport there or not, it seems unlikely. It's 19 miles away and he'd need to get three different buses, about a 2 hour journey. He can't even walk to town on his own yet, it's just impossible.

 

Mel - check your LA's post 16 transport policy (they have to have one) and check the bit that relates to students with SEN. They are responsible for providing transport to college students with SEN who need it. I've had bitter experience of this so happy to help. When the LA withdrew my daughter's college transport - contravening their own local policy, let alone the law, I started legal action against them and they backed down quickly.

 

 

K x

[oxgirl]

Mel - check your LA's post 16 transport policy (they have to have one) and check the bit that relates to students with SEN. They are responsible for providing transport to college students with SEN who need it. I've had bitter experience of this so happy to help. When the LA withdrew my daughter's college transport - contravening their own local policy, let alone the law, I started legal action against them and they backed down quickly.

 

Thanks. At our annual review the other week the Ed. Officer told us that transport to college for someone who hasn't got a physical disability was 'absolutely unheard of', so I don't hold out much hope, well any actually.

 

~ Mel ~

[Kazzen161]

At our annual review the other week the Ed. Officer told us that transport to college for someone who hasn't got a physical disability was 'absolutely unheard of',

~ Mel ~

 

LAs always say things like that - but it is usually a lie and often illegal. Get the policy and see what your rights are.

[Kathryn]

What Kazzen said.

 

My daughter was using a crutch, and in receipt of DLA higher mobility she could barely climb the stairs, let alone walk to college. Her transport was abruptly withdrawn after 6 months for no reason and without apology or explanation.

 

First they tried to cite the 3 mile rule as we live only a mile away from the college. Then I pointed out this rule doesn't apply to disabled students with mobility problems who cannot get to college under their own steam.

 

The next excuse was, "we only provide transport to students who previously were at special schools with statements". Their policy however said that each student's needs would be considered individually, so I pointed out that this blanket exclusion of particular categories of student was a contravention of their own policy.

 

The college said they had been battling with the LA for a long time over college transport for the disabled students and that I wouldn't win this one. But I fancied a grudge re-match after losing our statement battle, so I started judicial review proceedings with the help of a specialist SEN law firm. Thankfully I could do this in my daughter's name and so got legal aid. It only took a couple of letters for them to back down, and the LA were so anxious to sort it out that one officer phoned me before 7 am one morning to make sure she got hold of me before I left the house!

 

The moral is, don't give up. Look at the law, the guidance and their own policy, and check if they're following it.seek legal help if you need to and if the LA try to tell you that you can't do something, ignore them.

 

K x

[Annea]

Thanks. At our annual review the other week the Ed. Officer told us that transport to college for someone who hasn't got a physical disability was 'absolutely unheard of', so I don't hold out much hope, well any actually.

 

~ Mel ~

 

 

 

Hi we went to discrimantion tribunal over this and won!

to disciminate between a physical dissabilty and non physical is out right discrimination.

 

That is a shocking reply!

 

My daughter has just been awarded transport to her new college (100 miles) even before we have got funding for the further ed placement.

I now have it in writing for the whole fot he time she is doing her post 16 studies A levels.

 

If you contact IPSEA, they will be able to advise you on this, or I do know an independent advocate who helped us with our appeal and I am happy to pass his details on.

 

Good luck with finding provision. we have got provision sorted jsut fighting the delay in funding now My daighter is going on from res pre 16 to res post 16 placement.

 

Elizabeth

www.realas.co.uk

[oxgirl]

Hi we went to discrimantion tribunal over this and won!

to disciminate between a physical dissabilty and non physical is out right discrimination.

 

That is a shocking reply!

 

My daughter has just been awarded transport to her new college (100 miles) even before we have got funding for the further ed placement.

I now have it in writing for the whole fot he time she is doing her post 16 studies A levels.

 

If you contact IPSEA, they will be able to advise you on this, or I do know an independent advocate who helped us with our appeal and I am happy to pass his details on.

 

Good luck with finding provision. we have got provision sorted jsut fighting the delay in funding now My daighter is going on from res pre 16 to res post 16 placement.

 

Elizabeth

www.realas.co.uk

 

Thanks very much for that, that's very helpful. Hope your DD does well.

 

~ Mel ~