Here We Go Again (College Issues, Special Needs)

[Deleted User]

Many thanks alleycat.., honestly I do understand that they may be a bit jaded and making assumptions. And why. Lets hope I can break through this.

I have forwarded emails to all relevant persons and lets hope someone somewhere makes a positive move. I've double checked my emails to make sure they are calm and constructive (not at all how I was feeling lol, but thank goodness they are).

And I totally understand what you are saying ChrissyG. There are some things my older son can learn to overcome.., there are some things that are always going to need to be planned for. I've worked very hard on making him as independent as possible as he grows up (silly things like its taken him four years to learn how to do washing up.., something he could learn.., walking in a street he doesn't know.., i'm not sure that'll ever cease to be a challenge to some degree and lol., I know what u mean about no road safety awareness. Sometimes my son just stops dead in the road because there's a vehicle a few hundred yards away.., which is always a worry as he can do this with closer vehicles too and then walk blindly into a road and not see oncoming vehicles at all because he's focused on something else).

WestonDave

Can't comment on the college as I've no experience on this but I wondered if the "getting lost" thing could be resolved via mobile phone technology. I know there are systems which enable you to "locate" a phone provided that phone is signed up, so maybe a cheap mobile which is stitched into his jacket or into his bag (in such a way that allows it to be charged each evening) that you can track online might be a way round not just this college problem but also give you some peace of mind in non college times. Don't have the details myself but I'm sure if you googled it you'd find options if that's what you wanted.

Savvy_Sue

Also on the 'getting lost' thing, he needs a strategy for what to do if he IS lost. It probably needs to be simple.

Aged about 8, I was getting the bus back to our old house for piano lessons. One day, I thought I'd gone past the stop on my way home so I panicked and got off. I didn't check with the conductor because I didn't like speaking to adults. I looked around and found a phone box, phoned my Dad and said "I'm lost!" He asked me to describe what I could see, which I did, and then he started laughing (which I did NOT appreciate) because I had got off the bus early, and was near the fish and chip shop we used to use.

So, if he can't follow a map, can he phone you and be talked through a route? He'll need to get into the habit of getting a couple of street names before he does that ...

In my city, and in London, they have these absolutely brilliant 'legible maps', on pillars. They show you where you are, but also where you're headed towards! Hugely reassuring, although I still managed to lose my way to Charing Cross, and I used to commute to Central London every day!!! You don't have them in that town do you?

esmy

Is there a travel training scheme in your area? If so they may be able to assist with 'practice' runs and advice for your son to deal with his journey.

[Deleted User]

That was one of the problems, his mobile phone was dead so I couldn't call etc. I've now bought him two more powerful batteries and a charger.

The college have phoned and he'll have an LSA taking a stronger role with him re appointments. They have only really suggested I look on their website for notification of 'late' lessons.., but lol.., the website only lists shows.., but I've said this to them. Hopefully this will change.

I'm just going to have to find workarounds for any remaining problems.

daisiegg

Could it be more that the time when he needs to stay late are not dictated by the college; rather, they are to do with when his group decides they need to work/rehearse? Therefore college won't know to inform you of these dates?