Published on 12, July, 2020
Hoping somebody may be able to advise and/or share any similar experiences. My child has not received an official diagnosis yet, however we have been informed at nursery and now school they display behaviour for ASD. Currently awaiting results of ECHP assessment. I recently attended a meeting with the main SENCO staff, where they explained their concerns and some of the behaviour my child displays while in class. He does not like to follow any class lesson structure and is reluctant to listen and/or follow instructions. They essentially just do want they want to do (play toys etc.) , they also raised concerns regarding what they described as an unhealthy fixation on one specific child in the class. (Who my child says is their best friend) Sadly according to the teacher this is not reciprocated by this other child and resulting in this child not being happy. They also raised concerns my child struggle amongst large groups of children and do not believe my child could handle going along on school trips etc.
This behaviour seems to be vastly different to what he displays at home, at local parks, zoo's etc.
Just wondering if this is common and other parents have experienced this almost split personality between home and school?
Hello
I'm a mom of a 14 year old boys who is currently on the right to chose pathway for ASD diagnosis and I am also a teaching assistant to a reception age child in a main stream school.
I work one to one with the child, he has his own work station set up in a structured way, his day is structured and he has regular rewards. These rewards are done through him gaining stamps and then he can have 15 minutes on the iPad.
Have the school thought of setting up this type of rewards that he is literally rewarded for any positive behaviour then he can some reward time?
This could be interacting well, listening to an instruction, completing a piece of work. The work can be done in an area or to start with wherever he may be at the time. Then after a time encourage him to go to a specific area to work.
You are his safe person and at home there some may less demands than are at school. This may be why there is a difference in behaviour?
These are just suggestions that I know have worked with children I have been with in the past. Main stream is so much different than in a specialist setting. They can be more rigid in their ways. The main stream setting I am in are great at working with the child.
Good luck
Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes they have already said they are happy for me to go along on trips out to assist them. A recent church mass and sports day I've gone along as back up/support. Which is great.
They have mentioned that it's perhaps the comfort of home that makes him more settled. Hopefully he will replicate his home behaviour at school at some point.
Hi. My child did have some differences between home and school.
You mention school trips and that trips are not a problem with you. I wonder if they would agree to you going on a school trip.