Paul 13. has ADHD, Autism and type 1 Diabetes. We sent him to school only for school to completely fail him. One teacher told me to my face that Paul was a burden. His mental health suffered incredibly at school. He had a EHCP and meetings were called by the senco who in the end ended up asking me what she should do! Eventually Paul became suicidal and was told he should wait a few more years before he could do Forest School. So what were we to do while we were waiting? Paul didn't have time to kill, he couldn't wait any longer so we had no choice but to take him out of school. Special education schools said Pauls level of education was above what they could offer, yet mainstream school couldn't provide him with a suitable education.
I took him out of school in February 2024, the local authority tried to disrupt his home education but we got together with other home educating families and joined supportive networks who told us our rights . We have not heard from the local authority since Pauls report was handed in. That was relatively easy compared to picking up the pieces of a broken child and trying to convince them that not all education was bad. We took it slow with Paul, slowly meeting other families and slowly doing subjects at home.
Its now November 2024 and so much for Paul being a burden, he is a joy to teach and a pleasure to see flourish. At the moment he has picked his GCSE topics. He knows we will be studying them at home and that he needs to travel for the exams. At the moment he is reading and responding thoughtfully to George Orwell 1984. He is also building his family tree through the study of genealogy. He does lots of topics some outdoors such as bushcraft and foraging, to visits to the Science centre. We are going to London soon to visit St Pauls Cathedral and The Natural History Museum.
School gave up on my child. I hope that, that never happens to anyone else but no doubt it will. We had to get Paul counselling and we are also taking him to hypnosis soon to help with his ADHD as we are on a waiting list for medication which takes around 2 years. How on earth is he meant to do his GCSE exams with no medication or intervention? We are taking things slowly with Paul, slowly so that he grasps what is going on and without even realising he is being educated for example we often have conversations about religion and philosophy, Paul gets a full education and he enjoys doing it as the topics are relevant he says and can be used in everyday life. I am surprised at his book choice of 1984 but he seems to have taken a shine to politics.
Paul has a varied education and both Barry and I teach him. He has a online school that we have subscribed to that teaches English, Science and Maths. its simple to follow along. Paul much prefers conversations in which he asks questions. Its fun too! He can be baking for the morning and in the afternoon we can be foraging for berries and foliage to make a Christmas wreath.
Never give up on your child and always seek support from others in your situation. Your child's wellbeing is key and don't ever let a teacher tell you your child is a burden.
Its simply not true.
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