adhd aspergers

[cazzaz]

I have a 17 year old son with ADHD and apergers he has been given a place at the local tech college on condtion that he acquires 3 gcse's a-c .Because of his disability he cant achieve these grades.The course is for car body work......is there any way I can get him on this course unconditionally?

[CheekyChops]

Probably not.

I used to work in a College and the reason that they have these entry requirements is because people who haven't got the grades specified usually struggle with the course and end up dropping out or failing. This impacts on the success rates and so they are usually quite strict about sticking to the requirements specified for entry.

Even with car mechanics there will be a lot of theory work to do and without the GCSEs someone would probably struggle to keep up or understand.

Don't they do an entry level course with lower entry requirements?

[cazzaz]

Thank you Cheekychops I dont know if they do but I will make some calls tomorrow to find out. At present I'm at my wits end wondering what he can do . He can only follo one instruction at a time...ie; if I tell him to put the rubbish out and collect the mail ......he will put the rubbish out and Ill have to remind him again about the mail.I just thought there was some law about taking percentage of people with a disabilty

[Ice.Maiden]

Best of luck cazzz. As you know, my youngest's in a similar position, although not at the college/job stage yet. It's a worry, but isn't there something called "Connections" or "Get Connected" - something like that, which helps young people with these sort of things?

[cazzaz]

Ice. Maiden sorry didn't know you where in similar cercs....nice to have someone who understands......my son is in touch with connections I will phone them to see if there is anything they can do ..... He had 7 gcse exams and left half way through 5 of them .....overwhellmed!!!!teacher said he was capable but couldn't take it!!! Thanks

[Ice.Maiden]

Oh - I'm sorry, I've mentioned my own son's condition a few times on here, to try and help others, so thought you'd seen. Your son will've found it hard enough to cope with ordinary school work I imagine, so I'd say - just praise him for what he CAN do, and don't hurry him into something which he's going to find stressful. The very best of luck to you all.

[cazzaz]

Ice .Maiden thank you and good luck with your son too

[pinktwink]

is there any way you can liaise with the departmtnt of Education around support available for him to sit his exams in a less stressful manner. Such provisions exist in Ireland

[cazzaz]

Ice .Maiden thank you and good luck with your son too and any advice you can give will be welcome

[Ice.Maiden]

From what I've gathered pink, youngsters with conditions like autism and adhd can be given extra time to complete any exams, but my own son probably won't be able to take any. I've explained this to him, in case he feels "different" when the time comes, but just add that we're very proud of what he does. We are - every small step is a huge one for him.
Thank you cazzaz. I've found so far, that some of our worries are unfounded, so I hope that you can relax a little about your own son. He may never go at the pace of others, but he'll do things in his own good time.

[pinktwink]

do they have facilities for them to have their own room so they are under less stress

[Ice.Maiden]

I can't answer tha one yet, but I know they can have a teaching assistant or teacher standing by, if the children don't understand the questions being asked of them.

[ummmm]

Cazz....I use to run a car repair business. We use to take young lads on straight from school and train them ourselves.

[k8bailey]

If he does get onto a course find out if the college has a learning support team, he would definitely qualify for in class support, and it does make a huge difference for some students. Learning support workers can do allsorts, including sitting in exams where appropriate, keeping the student focussed on their work, explaining questions, arranging for any specialist equiptment or extra time.

Maybe theres a way that he could have this kind of support for his GCSEs too if was willing to do resits. I'm not sure how you'd go about arranging it but maybe speak to the LEA and his school.

Good luck
Good luck