This blog post was written 11/10/2020

So it’s fair to say that this transition is just not going to plan. I had hoped for a slow start of an hour or so a day, and then within a month maybe we would of been 5 days a week, all mornings or even whole days. But no, it’s not going well. It’s now down to just therapy sessions (I’ll come back to that in a moment). I think we have all underestimated that Charlie was in the wrong setting for too long, and it has caused some real severe trauma at school, and it has now led to such a distrust in the education system that it means he can’t access a school setting at all.

So for now, we have access to the therapies. These are life changing therapies in speech and language and occupational therapies that will make sure Charlie has the best opportunities at life, and without them, he will almost definitely struggle to maintain any form of secure life as an adult and will always struggle, and I definitely don’t want that for him, he deserves better. Charlie deserves a positive secure life, inclusive of his disabilities and able to enjoy life and take part in every aspect. It saddens me so much to know that he will forever struggle. And what is more concerning, is if I didn’t fight and appeal for his EHCP, then he wouldn’t of had access to the amazing on site therapies that his independent specialist school can offer. And this would not be an option if we were to home school and that I think is so important as I’m asked all the time, wouldn’t it be better for Charlie to be home schooled? and yes, in an ideal world that would make sense due to his trauma and anxiety in an educational setting, however, given the therapies he needs, this could not be done at home and would massively put Charlie at a disadvantage in the future. He desperately needs at least speech and language therapy that I can not deliver at home. So school is definitely the best place for him.

We will, for now, see how this timetable works but it is only 45mins twice a week. I am trying to find free educational trips to go on, so far we have a couple of museums and places of historical interest but it’s so hard to find places close by and with limited people present! As he struggles so much in crowds.

As always, stay safe!

Georgina x