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Original poster

Great wise MNers, what are the REAL pitfalls of year 7 - for a (PFB) child with AS?

131 replies

MrsS3 · 29/06/2012 00:43

We're doing the obvious stuff, uniform (done) numerous visits done and ongoing, form / tutor group with a few familiar faces (done) and photos of the teachers he'll need to remember.
However, I can't help but feel that it's like buying a cot and a pram for a new baby before realising you've not got a clue how to deal with it in reality and the actual practicalities are a whole lot different. Possibly a rubbish analogy but it makes sense to me Blush. I don't want to have got the kit and the book but entirely missed the bits that will really matter. Any tips?

OP posts:
ToryLovell · 29/06/2012 14:12

This was me 2 years ago

Get a copy of his timetable and make several copies to keep at home for when he loses his - ditto for his locker key.

We used one of these labelled for each day of the week so he could put his books into at the end of each day and take them out to put in his bag for the next day.

If you can park near the school at the end of the day, see what shoes and bags seem popular and buy appropriately, but not expensively as it will no doubt get lost.

Name labels in everything even though it is not cool at secondary

There are lots of other things regarding organisation that I can suggest, but I guess it depends how much support you feel he needs and whether you want to do the organisation for him or try to encourage independence - different for different children.

adeucalione · 29/06/2012 13:39

Don't buy a bag or pencil case until after they have started, because the ones you bought won't be the 'cool' ones and you'll have to buy new ones anyway or put up with months of moaning.

Don't bother buying a warm coat or any other form of sensible clothing because they won't wear them.

coppertop · 29/06/2012 12:02

My ds (ASD) is just reaching the end of Yr7.

Things that have helped him are:

  • A "what to do if " list - This is where you plan with him what he needs to do if he gets lost, he feels ill, he forgets his packed lunch/PE kit/dinner money.
  • Keep an eye on the school website for any events that might mean a change to the usual routine, eg times when the whole day is spent on one particular subject or theme. You won't necessarily get a letter about these.
  • Find out his tutor's school e-mail address, as they are usually the first person you will need to speak to about any issues.
  • Keep a big stash of pens, pencils, rulers etc because these are the things that will go missing regularly.
  • If he finds lunchtimes difficult, find out whether there is a club or room he can go to. Ours has a drop-in room for Yr7s who want somewhere quiet to go.
minesawine · 29/06/2012 11:44

My son has his induction day today and got to the school excited, but had forgotten the homework they had set him, which he was supposed to hand in today. This is despite me reminding him three times this morning. I had to then take it into the school much to his embarrassment in front of his new school friends.

I hold no hope at all and know I will have to be on his back to get him organised or nothing will get done

Kez100 · 29/06/2012 10:23

If they have lockers, buy your son a lanyard to attach the key to.

takeonboard · 29/06/2012 10:16

Organisation I would say is the steepest learning curve in Y7.

It helps to pack the bag the night before.
Get into a routine of doing homework as soon as he/she gets home.
Charge phone/sort out money for next day the night before.
Don't be alarmed at the amount of stuff he/she will lose, but it will help if everything is labelled - and I mean everything!
Have a copy of the timetable and homework timetable at home for you to refer to.

Good luck, it will all work out fine Smile