It took less than two weeks for the fragile hope of a "fresh start" to shatter. The new school year kicked off, and almost immediately, the after-school breakdowns returned - harder and faster than before. We knew we needed help, not just for Ash, but to help us navigate what was happening.
The Sanctuary of At-Home Therapy
We made the decision to bring in an at-home therapist. For a highly masked autistic child like Ash, taking her to another clinical environment after holding it together at school all day is often counterproductive.
Bringing a professional into her safe space changed everything. It allowed her to access her feelings without the sensory assault of an office. We quickly realized why this approach was so valuable for her:
- The Mask Can Drop: In her own living room, curled up on her sofa, she doesn't have to "perform" neurotypicality. She can just be.
- Sensory Safety: There are no buzzing fluorescent lights, strange smells, or echoing waiting rooms. The environment is predictable and hers.
- Immediate Decompression: Therapy happens in the rhythm of her home life, not as an added appointment she has to travel to.
"We were trying to fix her ability to endure school, but the therapist helped us see we needed to fix her environment instead."
The Unspoken Agreement
This week, after a particularly tough session, the therapist and Ash asked for a "family meeting." They wanted to formally discuss the potential of Home Education.
What Ash didn't know was that Claire and I had already had that conversation in hushed tones in the kitchen the night before. Watching the light drain out of our daughter over the last 12 days had been enough. We had already agreed: we have to seriously look at de-registering her. The experiment of "one more try" was over.
Prioritizing Emotional Safety
If you are watching your child crumble, please know that seeking professional, neuro-affirming support is not a sign of failure. It was the bridge we needed to move from fear to clarity. Mental health has to come before attendance records.
Note: We have been incredibly lucky to find local support that understands our needs. If you are in the area, we highly recommend looking into local resources like Holistic Balance Therapy, who specialize in supporting neurodivergent young people in their own environments.
