In year 10 I had a reduced timetable on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I left at 1:20PM
In year 10 I missed most of my maths classes as my tics were worse in that class. I worked in the Pupil Support Centre.
In school I got a separate room, use of a word processor (laptop) and extra time on my exams. In college I also got rest breaks.
I had permission to miss assemblies and go to the student support unit instead. Assemblies are hard when you have loud vocal tics.
When I was in assemblies I would have permission to sit at the front so that I could leave easily if I needed to.
I was allowed to use a laptop to do work and take notes as my tics made writing hard (and I have terrible handwriting).
I was allowed to chew gum in maths class when I did attend as it reduced my tics.
I was allowed to skip the lunch queue so that I didn't get my head stuck under a person's backpack (I had a tic where I would bend down and touch the floor but the queue was crowded)
I was allowed to leave class 15 minutes early to calm down before my next class.
I was allowed to wear sunglasses in class as it reduced my tics.
I was allowed to leave class to work in the Pupil Support Centre whenever I needed to do so and I was also allowed to go to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator's office whenever I needed.
I was allowed to do Physical Education lessons without my kit in year 7 as long as I took off my tie and wore trainers. My tic-related OCD made it hard to dress myself.
I had math tutoring from a teaching assistant for half an hour once a week because I often didn't attend math classes and because I struggled with math in general.
In primary school and year 7 I was made exempt from homework as my OCD rituals took up all of my time at home. I didn’t have the time to do homework.
I was made a card on a lanyard which reminded me not to leave class without my bag, PE kit, pencil case, etc. I had issues with memory and organization so this card was put on a lanyard so that I could have that constant reminder and also not lose the card.
In my last year of college I was able to do almost every day through remote learning (even when not in lockdown) as my tics made it difficult for me to sit in class with everyone else.
My secondary school applied for higher needs funding to try and meet my needs, but my symptoms got better after this.
Substitute teachers were usually told about my tics before the class, so that they didn’t just think I was disruptive.
In year 7 I had a peer mentor, a sixth former who I could speak to about any concerns. I also spoke to the deputy SENCO in the mornings.
