New member saying Hi and hoping for help!

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helzy
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14 Jun 2013, 5:52 pm

Hello everyone,
My 16 yr old son has Asperger's, also Type 1 diabetes. He hopes to begin 6th form next September but is very, very nervous about this next step. Unfortunately, he left school at 14 due to horrendous bullying, and has since been home schooled by me. He refuses to use any social media, he's even worried about using this site, so I'm breaking the ice for him.
I would really love to hear from anyone who has any advice for him (and me!) about starting college. His passion is film, and he wants to study this alongside media studies and history. His self confidence is so battered and any words of encouragement would be fantastic.
Hopefully, after reading some of your replies he may feel able to join himself. X



NEtikiman
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14 Jun 2013, 6:27 pm

Hi there and welcome to WP!
It's great that you're taking such an active interest in your son and I (and others on here) will be more than eager to guide you. If I can offer one early piece of advice: move at your son's pace. I can tell you're coming from a caring place, but "breaking the ice for him" not only disempowers him, but could also cause him undue stress about being in this supportive community.
I would suggest continuing to encourage him to be social, but not to act for him.
(I'm now realizing this may sound rude... I truly don't mean it to be! You are very welcome on WP!)


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helzy
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14 Jun 2013, 6:57 pm

Hi NEtikiman, thank you for the welcome!
Haven't found your reply rude at all, truely. Honest opininions and advice are always helpful. My son actually asked me to join and share how things go with him, didn't make that at all clear in my post! I do see your point though! :D



NEtikiman
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14 Jun 2013, 7:41 pm

Then fantastic! Hi helzy's son! Jump on in when you're ready! :-)


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TenPencePiece
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14 Jun 2013, 7:55 pm

Hi there Helzy, I'm very familiar with anxiety and lack of confidence - my mother wrote my very first post here on my behalf.

I left school shortly after turning 14, only really got into studying in the final months leading up to GCSEs and didn't really do much there. Yet, on the basis of my interest-related projects that I maintained online, the sixth form college let me onto their course.
I didn't have any major issues there (at least for someone who had been away from mainstream for over two years at the time), especially with the very supportive staff and a clear and understood no-tolerance to bullying, but left the following February due to depression, though still managed to retain a distinction for that year.
Hope you stick around :)


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1401b
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14 Jun 2013, 9:31 pm

Hi ya, What's a 6th form?


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