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sensory problems advice

lformz

Hey.

My son, who is 8, has an ASD with sensory processingproblems. We have an issue with school that I would like advice on. 

He was withdrawn from school swimming lessons, at our request, last term because he was struggling to cope with the cold water that he finds physically painful, the feel of the poolside on his feet and dressing himself as he hates the textures on his hands and feet. We were told last week that he has to join in from this term as swimming is part of the curriculum. We explained our feelings to the teacher and received a call today, saying jack will have to take his kit tomorrow to swim and we are summoned to the headteacher. 

He has been very anxious since he's been told he has to swim. His ritualistic and rigid behaviours are full throttle and he's having a lot of meltdowns. When he tried swimming lessons last time it was horrendous afterwards because of sensory overload. However, he does tend to hold it together whilst he's at school, which is probably why school don't understand how it affects him.

I am so cross with the school, partly because they are forcing him to do something he finds physically painful, partly because they have gone about it the wrong way. He hasn't got an IEP but he does have a diagnosis, they could have called a meeting to discuss what strategies they could implement to make the sessions manageable for him. 

Do I make him do it????

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I looked up the curriculum issue and apparently it is part of the National Curriculum. However, this does not have to be the end of the question - your son has the right to be treated reasonably and not to be traumatised. He has a diagnosis which means that he has a permanent problem that gives him permanent protection from unreasonable actions. He actually has the right to have swimming lessons with all of the adjustments that are necessary for his disability - i.e. I think you may be able to insist on him having lessons on his own or in a pool with a specially raised temperature. Equally it may be more reasonable for you to allow the school not to insist on him being subject to something that would actually be cruel.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I looked up the curriculum issue and apparently it is part of the National Curriculum. However, this does not have to be the end of the question - your son has the right to be treated reasonably and not to be traumatised. He has a diagnosis which means that he has a permanent problem that gives him permanent protection from unreasonable actions. He actually has the right to have swimming lessons with all of the adjustments that are necessary for his disability - i.e. I think you may be able to insist on him having lessons on his own or in a pool with a specially raised temperature. Equally it may be more reasonable for you to allow the school not to insist on him being subject to something that would actually be cruel.

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