Hi I’m new here. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advise on what I should do. Firstly my son has sensory problems with music in general even down to tv program theme songs. He will have a meltdown even if it’s on quietly. I made the school aware of this. They have placed him in music and every time he has music his been using avoidance tactics by pretending to be ill or getting sent home ill from school to avoid it. I made school aware that his using avoidance tactics. They just responded with all teachers have been emailed and told not to play loud music. But he can’t cope with music in general. This term they have added dance Into curriculum and no notice detentions policy, it then comes to the day he has dance. He uses avoidance tactics by saying he doesn’t have his kit. They then give him a no notice 30 min detention for after school that day. He can’t cope with change of routine, he also doesn’t believe his done anything wrong. To him he was simply avoiding something that causes him distress. They then went on to try and make him stay behind to the point he got very upset and run to cry in the toilets. ( he did not want to miss his bus home) So I emailed the senco with I believe it was unfair to give him the detention when I have told them repeatedly he doesn’t respond well to music and his avoidance tactics also that he can’t cope with change he would need a least 24 hrs notice because he doesn’t like change of routine and for me to use that time to prepare him and help ease his anxiety. To have a reply saying the school has explained to the students in assemblies that the detention system stands for all students unless they are in the SRP where students have significant need for a completely personalised timetable and approach to their learning. So because he doesn’t yet have a ehcp he falls into the all students bracket. She went on to say from the moment the detention is given that is his notice. But that could be at 2.45pm which would only give him 15mins to process it. Which he just wouldn’t be able to do. Especially if he thinks he is right with his pda he came become very difficult in them situations. Also because he refused to do the detention because he was in meltdown. They have now made it 1hr 30min detention. Any advice is welcome I am have a meeting with the school Friday, I’m not sure what to do from now on. Things will worsen because of music and dance, His had physical meltdowns in the past and I just want to avoid things getting that far.
thank you