Reception new starters WhatsApp group

I would leave it for the time being. I am trying to remember when mine found out about their friends and I think it was probably a year or two in.

Their school did some work about ND, and some older children talked about how sometimes they need to go to the sensory room or for a run etc.

I have two sons NT they both have a number of friends who are ND. I know this will sound a bit "wrong" but they genuinely forget, and their friend "Bob" is ND. One is sixteen now and "Bob" being "Bob" and that includes the early challenging meltdowns, late to verbalise, etc. And thankfully,"Bobs" Marvel knowledge had won them many quizzes.

I hope your son finds lovely friends. I know for parents the the early days can be rough but thankfully a lot more awareness is out there

I wouldn't say anything.

A diagnosis at age 4 or 5 is quite rare so you are unlikely to find others on the same position.

Some people may form preconceived ideas about your son based on that and may steer their own children away if they don't understand it fully.

I speak from experience as my own son was diagnosed with autism and ADHD aged 9.

Let things happen organically and tell people as you feel you need to (playdates and parties etc).

You don’t have to tell them anything.

It’s autism. Not a deadly airborne virus.

I'd hold on. I'm fairly open about DS but he was well in to school before being diagnosed. I've told him that being open about it is a good arsehole filter, but if you have got some arsehole parents in the group it's a long time to be stuck with them.

I'd let the information emerge in due course.

It's a personal choice so do whatever you are comfortable with but I don't think it's necessary to tell them just yet. There is a child in my sons class who has ASD. It became obvious fairly on, but the mum didn't disclose anything in the group.

Out WhatsApp is great, there is no gossip. It's used to share useful updates, events in the area, reminders for non-uniform days and holiday clubs etc. It has helped me a number of times.

I wouldnt. Generally school whatsapp groups are useful for reminders about non uniform days, last day to hand a form in etc. and the occasional night out. It is good to know who is the parent of which child but probably not the place to share such information.

I would immediately decline or leave the group. I’m super friendly but would find this just another annoyance and stressful situation I do not need in my life

I wouldn’t as it’ll create barriers before they even starts. Wait until he makes some friends and then tell the parents if you really need to, for play dates for example.

I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t even join a school WhatsApp group anyway. Cliquey, judgey, competitive and just plain annoying. I find them so pointless.

Also, there’s a good change your child won’t be the only one with Autism or SEN. So don’t make a fuss out of it with the other parents. Some will be understanding and educated. Others will not. It’s not worth stressing over.

No, I wouldn't.

I have two kids in primary and two WhatsApp groups. They are very different groups, but in neither one would this be a good medium to share the information you're talking about. I would share on an ad hoc basis when he starts.

I wouldn’t and I wouldn’t post a mini bio of myself and DC like PP suggested. Our ones have been just “hi I’m x, y’s mum” and evolved to reminders about school stuff/suggestions for good stuff going on locally.
once you see people more often it’s natural to chat more about DC but in my experience the class WhatsApp is quite surface level (in a positive, helpful way).

I don’t think you need to unless you want to. There’s a girl in my daughters class who I assume has some additional needs. If my daughter ever mentions she did something which she thinks is odd/naughty/different I just explain we are all different, learn differently, are learning how to behave and so on. I don’t need to be told what her diagnosis is to be empathetic.

Ours is literally just the odd comment about dates for school events or asking if anyone wants to donate to a group present for teachers/TAs. I've honestly never seen a negative comment on it.

Unless the WhatsApp is supported by the school it will quickly become a breeding ground for mis-information.

My DS is autistic. I didn’t announce it like that, but I was quite open with parents I already knew (I had an older DD in school already) and when chatting with parents at class parties early on. I wanted parents to know so that if their child came home and said DS was naughty they would hopefully explain he wasn’t.

I haven’t regretted being so open, he’s been included in more parties and things than I think he would have been, and it’s allowed me to befriend a mum whose son is also autistic and very similar to DS! And when people know they will talk to you about it and be kind, whereas otherwise people at every British and pretend it’s a big surprise when you tell them he’s autistic!

Its completely up to you although tbh, if you have already got a diagnosis by age 4 people may guess he's got additional needs pretty fast.

I wouldn't. I don't think it's the place for that. Why not see who he makes friends with first and then maybe speak to the parents?

I’m not sure, parents may be judgemental anyway. My primary kids seem to know which children are autistic and have on occasion said ‘X did this today but it’s because he’s autistic and thinks differently’. I think the school encourages openness amongst the children and as they are usually without prejudice they are very understanding and supportive of the other children with sen. Maybe let the teachers know they can be open about it with the rest of the class if necessary as that is what will make your child’s life better at school, telling the other parents won’t.

My advice is just to stay away from the school WhatsApp regardless. Especially at that age. You won't miss anything. Awful place you'll waste hours and days of your time on there

I don’t think you need to say anything yet if at all. My children’s primary school has a parents WhatsApp group for children with SEN so you could ask if there is anything like that and not give further information at this point.

The message above by strawberry is lovely.

But do whatever you feel comfortable with. Are there any meet up planned over the summer so they get to know each other before starting? If yes, you could drop it into conversation when you meet up after gauging which parents you feel more comfortable talking with.

My daughter has 3 children with additional needs in her class, and they are all very much looked after by their classmates.

No I really wouldn’t. Sharing details like this widely is really odd, plus others may be in a similar situation and find themselves uncomfortable if they don’t share either. It’s very young to get this info about your son shared widely.

I would go along a theme of (photo of you and your boy)

This is me and Jonathon. Jonny loves riding his bike, going swimming and eating pizza! He’s so excited to start big school. I can’t believe that time has come around already. He is autistic so the change might be a little difficult for him and take him some more time to adapt to. We can’t wait to meet everyone! Has anyone started uniform shopping yet?

Nice and down to earth way of saying it without focusing solely on that x