Published on 12, July, 2020
My 7 year old son is already on his 2nd school having been managed moved from the first. His first term here went without a hitch as he had an excellent teacher, however since September, when he moved to a new class, things have gone from bad to worse. He has not been to class since October and only goes in for half days, I am convinced he has learned nothing this academic year. We are awaiting diagnosis for Autism but are fairly certain he has high functioning ASD, possibly with a PDA profile.
He has been excluded 9 times since September, all for bad behaviour following angry outbursts, the trouble is that he can't control his behaviour once the red mist descends and school don't seem to be capable of keeping him regulated.
He was given an EHCP in December but so far it has had no effect as the school are trying to recruit a 121 teaching assistant in order to put the measures in place.
When my son is regulated he is academically capable, he is sweet and kind and a really great pupil, but he doesn't seem capable of staying regulated at school and I don't know what to do. He can't be the only child who suffers from meltdowns but school don't seem to have any way of handling it.
Has anyone got any positive experience they could share? Any advice? Anyone in Gloucestershire who can recommend any schools in the area who are equipped to handle this?
You've got a dud school, unfortunately.
Our (now) 7-year-old son was expelled from a private pre-reception setting for violent meltdowns.
He subsequently moved to a mainstream state school where he acquired a 1-to-1 and, subsequently, an EHCP to pay for her support. He's also a very academically capable, sweet and kind young man and, with the help of his 1-to-1, is now able to show his best side in class.
HOWEVER, he had a bumpy two years of being 20% in the classroom (at times) and of attacking children, staff and fleeing the classroom. He has never been sent home or threatened with expulsion - it is illegal.
If the school cannot meet your son's needs, they need to start a process to help him move to a setting (sounds like another mainstream school would be fine) that are better able to meet his needs.