Son won't go outside

My 8 year old son has never been too fond of school and we have always had a struggle to get him there on the first few days of a new school year. This year (year 4) thankfully he was in the same classroom which eased him as he doesn't like change, he has been doing very well, attendance was excellent until about 4 weeks ago he started to reluctantly go to school, refuse to do school work and has become sensitive to light and noise making him not want to go in the playground, the past week he has point blank refused to go to school, not even getting dressed and he will not even leave the house, not even step outside the door, he has the curtains closed and has become violent when he has outbursts. We have ruled out bullying as he has always been open in the past when another child has upset him and it was dealt with straight away. 

He has not been diagnosed with ASD yet, although we suspect this may be the case as he has had other traits in the past but thankfully they phased out (fingers crossed this one does too) the SENCO worker is aware and has brought it to the attention of their CAHMs worker. 

I just don't know what to do, he is such a strong boy physically so it's not like I can just pick him up and get him outside or take him to school, there is nothing anyone can say or do to get him to leave the house let alone go to school. 

I dont know if it's just best to slightly ignore what he is doing hoping it just phases out, which is what we done in the past, he had a phase of constantly washing his hands to the point was making them sore, didn't make a fuss, phase passed. 

Just knowing that we are not alone would help. 

Parents
  • I don't know the solution, but clearly your son is anxious for some reason and until his needs can be met in school he may continue this behaviour.  Obviously cover yourself by keeping the EWO informed, if possible video some of his behaviour and continue to liaise with the SENCo to get it resolved or at least to show you have done your level best.

    It's so sad, I firmly believe inclusion doesn't work for most autistic children, and yet here they are continuing with it regardless, whilst not meeting children's needs at the same time, yet judging parents who are the ones often ending up dealing with the problem.

Reply
  • I don't know the solution, but clearly your son is anxious for some reason and until his needs can be met in school he may continue this behaviour.  Obviously cover yourself by keeping the EWO informed, if possible video some of his behaviour and continue to liaise with the SENCo to get it resolved or at least to show you have done your level best.

    It's so sad, I firmly believe inclusion doesn't work for most autistic children, and yet here they are continuing with it regardless, whilst not meeting children's needs at the same time, yet judging parents who are the ones often ending up dealing with the problem.

Children
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