Special needs education VS Mainstream

[As sweet as-pie]

Hi, not sure if that was the best title in terms of relevance but eh, it'll do.
Basically, I'm 17 now, nearly 18. I tried to go to college at 16 like everyone else (UK), but I couldn't due to anxiety and ended up dropping out, I've tried to go since, and also tried other pathways such as apprenticeships etc, I really do want to go to college and eventually onto university.

I thought I had found the perfect solution when I came across a college specifically for autistic "high functioning" people, which gave the option of A levels, but it wasn't all it seemed. I've since done more research and I've found a direct pattern between courses available and type of educational institution, in pretty much every case I've found, those schools/colleges that do offer A levels, offer it externally at a mainstream college and for those students who cannot attend said mainstream college, they do entry level courses such as independent living skills etcetc.

At risk of sounding vain, I've always been in the "gifted" classes throughout school and I was capable of getting 11 A*'s at GCSE, I really wanted to go to college, and although I could just stay at home on benefits, it wouldn't help me progress in life, even to get a job I pretty much need a further education qualification as further education is compulsory and so most people have one. I feel like I'm wasting my intelligence and potential. I feel helpless because I don't know what to do, I struggle immensely with social interaction and I couldn't deal with being around neurotypical teenagers every day, but I really want to do A levels and go on to university. I don't know what to do.

 

[Guppyfry]

I'm not familiar with the UK education system, but have you looked at online/distance education? You could stay at home and do courses. I know some Universities/colleges here offer full programs on-line.

 

[As sweet as-pie]

I'm not familiar with the UK education system, but have you looked at online/distance education? You could stay at home and do courses. I know some Universities/colleges here offer full programs on-line.

I have but unfortunately most of them are very expensive and both me and my family are on state benefits so it's not really an option at this point. Thank you for your reply though!

 

[xudo]

Could you look at whether there are any colleges you attend that offer help to people on the spectrum? The uni I went to offered a lot of help to students with any diagnoses. I had no idea I had AS then, but they diagnosed dyslexia and they gave me loads of help.

even to get a job I pretty much need a further education qualification as further education is compulsory and so most people have one.

I didn't understand this? There are jobs which don't require higher education, and higher education isn't compulsory...

Most people I know didn't go on to higher education.

 

[As sweet as-pie]

Could you look at whether there are any colleges you attend that offer help to people on the spectrum? The uni I went to offered a lot of help to students with any diagnoses. I had no idea I had AS then, but they diagnosed dyslexia and they gave me loads of help.



I didn't understand this? There are jobs which don't require higher education, and higher education isn't compulsory...

Most people I know didn't go on to higher education.

I don't think that would help me, as like I said I wouldn't be able to deal with the neurotypical peers, even if I had support, which is why even a specialist college wouldn't help because in order to do academic courses you're required to visit mainstream college with their help.

Further education, not higher. I think I wrote further anyway... sorry if I didn't 16-18 year olds must be in education or training. I think that law came in the year before I graduated, as my boyfriend (2 years older) Wasn't affected. You get fined quite a lot of money if you're found not to be attending college or an apprenticeship/trainee program, luckily for me I was able to be exempt due to my disability and am officially home schooled currently.

 

[xudo]

Further education, not higher. I think I wrote further anyway... sorry if I didn't 16-18 year olds must be in education or training. I think that law came in the year before I graduated, as my boyfriend (2 years older) Wasn't affected. You get fined quite a lot of money if you're found not to be attending college or an apprenticeship/trainee program, luckily for me I was able to be exempt due to my disability and am officially home schooled currently.

You did say further education, just in my mind I equate 'further' with 'higher'. Probably because even 6th form in my high school was often referred to as 'higher'

I had never heard of this 'compulsory' element to further education, and from digging about online it turns out that's because it's only a thing in England. Here in Wales (and also Scotland and Northern Ireland) there is no such thing. You can leave school at 16 and do (or not do) whatever you want.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

My advice would be find somewhere which can help you with anxiety, social skills etc (I know this if hard to a place when your high functioning) and worry about the academics later. Other option could be social skills, life skills in the day at collage and a one on one tuter at home for the A levals.

 

[discus150]

Have you tried some strategies fo lessing anxiety or interaction. Like wearing head phones to deter NT from talking to you or a book. Sometimes having something in you hands to play with can help anxiety.

 

[Myrtonos]

If you went through mainstream school normally, without an aide or any other special education, you are mainstream autistic, even if you struggled more than your peers.

 

[As sweet as-pie]

If you went through mainstream school normally, without an aide or any other special education, you are mainstream autistic, even if you struggled more than your peers.

Define "normally". I had to drop out of mainstream education several times due to my struggles and ended up with PTSD due to my experiences. Being forced into an environment unsuitable for you, is not the same as being able to cope with it. It was the worst experience of my life and both my grades and mental health suffered immensely due to that. So I have to disagree with you there.

 

[Myrtonos]

"Normally" means things being complient with staff and sitting examinations.

 

[As sweet as-pie]

"Normally" means things being complient with staff to a normal extent and sitting examinations.

So you equate that to being able to remain in mainstream education? I don't think it's reasonable to say that someone who is quiet and doesn't interact (nor disturb) staff or classes and does well academically, does not have "special needs" nor needs special education.

 

[Myrtonos]

If they are quiet and don't disrupt the class and do well academically, it's hard for me to see how they would need an aide in class. What other special education would they need?

 

[As sweet as-pie]

If they are quiet and don't disrupt the class and do well academically, it's hard for me to see how they would need an aide in class. What other special education would they need?

I have been out of education for the past 2 years because I cannot handle being in mainstream education with Neurotypical peers. I do not need an aide in class, as being in a mainstream institution with support would not be an option for me. I need to go to a special education college (which I am looking into, the one I have been looking at is for "high functioning" people only who struggle socially but are going on to university) because I can't deal with being around other teenagers who are not autistic as it causes great emotional distress to me. Being in a mainstream setting causes meltdowns, shutdowns, and burnout due to social pressures. And that results in me getting grades which are way lower than my potential and having an extremely negative impact on my mental health. If I was in an environment more suitable for me, I would be able to thrive and then go onto university and other things after I had developed my social skills and confidence. The point I am at now, I could not be in a room with Neurotypical teenagers.

 

[Myrtonos]

Have you tried to learn social skills, have you looked for a mentor? You may have encountered Aspies who like different things from what you like. There may also be neurotypicals who like the same things you like, and this is something you might not know.
If you find a mentor to help you with social competence among neurotypicals, you might find you'll get on better with neurotypicals who like the same things you like than with Aspies who like different things.

 

[As sweet as-pie]

Have you tried to learn social skills, have you looked for a mentor? You may have encountered Aspies who like different things from what you like. There may also be neurotypicals who like the same things you like, and this is something you might not know.
If you find a mentor to help you with social competence among neurotypicals, you might find you'll get on better with neurotypicals who like the same things you like than with Aspies who like different things.

It's not about that, I have severe social anxiety that borders on a phobia. It's not about similar interests, or even social skills. With all due respect, you don't know about my individual situation and so you can't really comment, I appreciate your reply though.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

"Normally" means things being complient with staff and sitting examinations.

Not trying to be argumentative but what am I did all through school main stream and passed my exams but TA support through out.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

If they are quiet and don't disrupt the class and do well academically, it's hard for me to see how they would need an aide in class. What other special education would they need?

I needing scribing, reassurance and help during meltdowns (mine don't disrupt other but I can harm myself unintentionally), support during group work, sometimes I would need something explaining another and I needed help communicate to the teachers and my peers.

 

[discus150]

Have you tried to learn social skills, have you looked for a mentor? You may have encountered Aspies who like different things from what you like. There may also be neurotypicals who like the same things you like, and this is something you might not know.
If you find a mentor to help you with social competence among neurotypicals, you might find you'll get on better with neurotypicals who like the same things you like than with Aspies who like different things.

 

[discus150]

There's an expression"the squeaky wheel gets the grease". The kids who express emotions externally aren't necessarily the ones in the most pain. Even if they get the most support. Some of us suffer in silence.