Aug 17, 2020, The Sheffield Star: Sheffield mum’s struggle to find school for autistic son who spent past year out of education https://www.thestar.co.uk/education/sheffield-mums-struggle-find-school-autistic-son-who-spent-past-year-out-education-2944284 The woman, who did not wish to be named, said her 12-year-old son who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not attended Bents Green School, a specialist secondary on Ringinglow Road, since November as he cannot cope in the classrooms there. It is the second time he has been out of education – having missed the whole of Year 3 while attending Lydgate Junior School as they couldn’t meet his needs – and now she is desperately trying to find him a new school so he does not miss out again come September. "He’s been out of school since November – Bents Green tried to do a blended learning package with him and sent somebody out who was brilliant but he wouldn’t even get out of bed he’s so low…. The frustrated mum said she was looking at three alternative specialist schools in the city – Brantwood, Kenwood and Moncrieffe – but around three weeks ago found out her son, who has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place, had been turned down by Kenwood because they couldn't “meet need”…. Sheffield Council has been contacted for comment but is yet to respond.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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