Hello,
Please bear with me as this is my first post.
My son (8) received a dual ASD and ADHD diagnosis last December. The Child and Family Mental health psychologist who assessed and diagnosed him states that he has 'mild' difficulties - although they dont seem mild to us but maybe that's a discussion for another time.
We have been in liason with the educational psychologist at his school for a couple of years and I get the impressions she does not agree with his formal diagnosis' This may be because my son 'manages' school for the most part and often 'appears' NT. I think he shows signs of the Jeckell and Hyde behaviour that Tony Atwood speaks about in that he puts all his focus on managing school and the rules therein that when he gets home he is bouncing off the walls and the smallest things can 'set him off'.
Over the last two years we have put a number of things in place in the classroom - he sits on a desk on his own, he has a sensory cushion, leaning board (hypermobility in fingers), fiddle toy, he sits next to the teacher for carpet work so she can see when he gets agitated and he can take a time out. He was taken out of class for 30 minutes a week last year with two other children to work on social kills. The SfL teacher has just given him an online test for dyslexia and has said that he shows some indications of this (although I not sure on this to be honest) so he will be taken out of class for 30 minutes a week to work on spelling, writing, reading etc and start doing written work with a computer programme (sorry cant remember the name). It has been discussed that he appears to be a visual learner but the teacher doesnt seem to make adjustments for this.
He is a very clever little boy but appears to be falling behind academically. When asked to write five sentences he appears only able to complete 1.5 (short) sentences in the time allowed and the teacher cant tell me why (anxious, distracted, unable to retain instructions??) and just states they don't like to push the kids at this age. He struggles to retain instructions and information.
He struggles at breaktime, spending time on his own. He tells me at home that the other kids are mean to him (name calling) but the school state that he is just oversensitive! He has no real friends although everyone seems to know (and like) him. He has just told me he wants to go out at halloween on his own and the dogs and not with any other children from the village. He invited the whole class to his birthday party then ended up playing in a corner on his own the whole time.
So I have asked for an IEP to be commenced and the school have told me that he doesnt need one and that is is a 'HUGE' document which will be a lot of work when he wont get any additional help.
Do you think I should push for an IEP so that we have a more structured approach to his educational and social needs in school?
Sorry for the long post - any help appreciated
Thanks
xx
