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Original poster

Should school supervise better?

81 replies

SupercutSchool · 15/01/2025 14:42

I really don't know if I'm overreacting. DS 6yo, diagnosed with autism. Have frequent meetings at the school and end up keep explaining the same things over and over. They seem kind and have good intentions, I don't think they're uncaring or unkind staff. I feel like I'm always telling the school he struggles calculating risks. For the past 1.5 years he's been at a desk with a TA to keep him on task and presumably safe, he works well in this set up.

Yesterday, the TA wasn't in and the teacher thought it was a good idea to mix the table groups up to experience working with other people. The TA that was covering and the teacher were circulating around the class. So he wasn't in his usual table set up and had no supervision at times and they were doing cutting and sticking.

So, my son cut his fringe and the other children told on him. Nobody told me I just noticed he has a fringe now. I don't mind about the haircut I care that he had scissors near his eyes. When I told them I'm worried about scissors near his eyes they've told me that their scissors probably won't cut skin and that they'll now be more aware with him and scissors.

My issue is that I've told them he has almost zero danger awareness, it's really scary to me. Every time some accident happens I say "yeah, he's not aware of possible dangers and risks. Even when they're explained, he often won't believe something is actually dangerous." They say they get it. Then something else happens. They have replied to me as if they didn't know something could go wrong with him and scissors. I think "unaware of dangers" should cover scissors? I'm worried if I give a list an accident will happen with something I've forgotten to put on the list or something we've never done at home before.

My second issue is that having blunt scissors banged into an eyeball isn't a cut on the skin. I'm worried he could blind himself or someone else. I'm not worried about his hair or skin vs kids scissors, just eyes. But I feel that the school don't think that is a risk.

Am I overreacting and should chill out?

Or should I try to come up with a list of specific dangers and not just say unaware of dangers in general.

Or should I give up trying to communicate about this and look for a different school?

OP posts:
Original poster
SupercutSchool · 15/01/2025 15:09

MyQuickLimeFawn · 15/01/2025 14:52

Many 6 yo have limited awareness of danger, so it’s up to the teachers and TA’s to keep all the children safe, but particularly an autistic child with even less awareness of danger. Where was his usual TA? These are little behaviours they should know about by now. I would ask to have a support plan meeting with them and really reiterate to them that the incident could have led to serious injury, if that’s your feeling on it. Keep an eye on how the school are handling your child and consider moving him if they do not support his needs on a daily basis. The only caveat is that another school could be just the same, or worse. You also need to work on his danger awareness at home if you can, if you’re not already doing so. I know it’s not easy.

Thank you. The usual TA was poorly I think. There was a covering TA but they weren't sitting at the same table, they were going to all tables. I think it was a very different set up to usual for this lesson.

OP posts:
Original poster
SupercutSchool · 15/01/2025 14:58

CaptainMyCaptain · 15/01/2025 14:50

As a teacher I've had neuro typical children cut their own hair several times. It can happen in the blink of an eye, I've always been mortified it happened on my watch but parents have generally been OK about it. I'm afraid its something children do and he's unlikely to have poked his own eyes out.

These children probably believe that scissors are dangerous though? I mean to some extent. I'm not sure he believes scissors are sharp or dangerous. It's his awareness of danger, or lack of, that worries me. I think most 6yo that cut their own hair would be careful of their eyes? But I also believe I could be being silly and that neurotypical 6yo also don't understand scissors are sharp.

OP posts:
MyQuickLimeFawn · 15/01/2025 14:52

Many 6 yo have limited awareness of danger, so it’s up to the teachers and TA’s to keep all the children safe, but particularly an autistic child with even less awareness of danger. Where was his usual TA? These are little behaviours they should know about by now. I would ask to have a support plan meeting with them and really reiterate to them that the incident could have led to serious injury, if that’s your feeling on it. Keep an eye on how the school are handling your child and consider moving him if they do not support his needs on a daily basis. The only caveat is that another school could be just the same, or worse. You also need to work on his danger awareness at home if you can, if you’re not already doing so. I know it’s not easy.

CaptainMyCaptain · 15/01/2025 14:50

As a teacher I've had neuro typical children cut their own hair several times. It can happen in the blink of an eye, I've always been mortified it happened on my watch but parents have generally been OK about it. I'm afraid its something children do and he's unlikely to have poked his own eyes out.

Original poster
SupercutSchool · 15/01/2025 14:50

Bushmillsbabe · 15/01/2025 14:45

Does his EHCP stipulate 1 to 1 at all times? What does that say about the level of supervision he needs to receive?
Dors his class usually have a TA and his TA, or just 1?

He doesn't have an EHCP the school have said they weren't sure at first. Then last term they said they were going to do one but that it takes a long time to do it. The class usually have a TA and that TA is always on the table of the children that need extra help, not just my DS. I don't think he needs direct 121 support but I think the school and I agree he definitely needs a TA at the same table.

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 15/01/2025 14:45

Does his EHCP stipulate 1 to 1 at all times? What does that say about the level of supervision he needs to receive?
Dors his class usually have a TA and his TA, or just 1?