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Is school getting too much for my 6 year old son?

Caring Dad

hi,

I have already posted this in Education matters forum so sorry if this is the wrong place but..

my son has Autism and is extremely hypersensitive. The hustle and bustle of a busy classroom and school can be a minefield for a child with his issues. He deals with it in such a brave way. He doesn't let it stop him facing these challenges with a smile on his face.

but here we come to an issue I have noticed lately.

My son is usually reasonably responsive when you try to communicate with him. But after school lately he just seems mentally lethargic. He just seems out of the room, almost on autopilot. Obviously he can go into a world of his own, as many of our dear sons and daughters can with autism but this seems different. 

He took two hours to 'get over' school last night, he sat there looking at his iPad not wanting to get up and play as he usually would. when we asked him if he was ok or did he want something to eat he just sat there saying nothing. We had to repeat ourselves several times until he realised we were speaking.

I suppose my question is, does anyone think a school day may be becoming too much for him mentally and physically? 

Maybe with all the sensory stressors that a school day brings him is getting a little too much with him?

thanks for reading.

Parents

  • Hi,

     My own children have found School incredibly challenging and they are not alone. Sadly, the need for downtime/alonetime etc grows as they move up the academic ladder in my experience.

    I put this down to the disparity between what's expected of them and their ability to cope. Sensory-wise it's quite a drain on an individuals resources just getting through the day.

    When College starts after a terms break or the Summer holidays my lads normally come home and have to sleep because of the levels of concentration needed. One of my lads began to display some very exagerated behavioural issues and it was quickly clear he wasn't coping well.

    By the time he was at College he was at meltdowm continuously. He wasn't very well supported which didn't help either. IT WAS THE HARDEST YEAR THE FAMILY HAS EVER ENDURED!

    When he finally decided he wasn't returning to College in September it was like a switch had been flicked. Don't get me wrong, he still has meltdowns, but nowhere near the volume or duration that he did.

    He now works for himself part time (No one would employ him) and manages his own hours and this keeps meltdowns to a minimum. He has support of course, but since leaving education he's a different person.

    Downtime maybe necessary and if your son has only just returned to education from the Christmas break he is likely to be extra tired. 

    Hope that's helpful.

    Coogybear

Reply

  • Hi,

     My own children have found School incredibly challenging and they are not alone. Sadly, the need for downtime/alonetime etc grows as they move up the academic ladder in my experience.

    I put this down to the disparity between what's expected of them and their ability to cope. Sensory-wise it's quite a drain on an individuals resources just getting through the day.

    When College starts after a terms break or the Summer holidays my lads normally come home and have to sleep because of the levels of concentration needed. One of my lads began to display some very exagerated behavioural issues and it was quickly clear he wasn't coping well.

    By the time he was at College he was at meltdowm continuously. He wasn't very well supported which didn't help either. IT WAS THE HARDEST YEAR THE FAMILY HAS EVER ENDURED!

    When he finally decided he wasn't returning to College in September it was like a switch had been flicked. Don't get me wrong, he still has meltdowns, but nowhere near the volume or duration that he did.

    He now works for himself part time (No one would employ him) and manages his own hours and this keeps meltdowns to a minimum. He has support of course, but since leaving education he's a different person.

    Downtime maybe necessary and if your son has only just returned to education from the Christmas break he is likely to be extra tired. 

    Hope that's helpful.

    Coogybear

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