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Original poster

How to survive 90 minute lessons?!!

28 replies

SuperSue77 · 29/12/2023 23:34

My son is year 7 at a large mainstream state school. He is diagnosed ASD and ADHD (no EHCP) and school have been really supportive and he is on their SEN/inclusion register.

I worry that he is close to EBSA and it is a struggle to get him to school, he begs us not to make him go, but when there he is doing quite well. Home schooling is not an option so we’re trying to do everything we can to help him feel able to attend. One issue for him is that their lessons are 90 minutes long and this is just too long for him. He can ask for a movement break, but doesn’t want to draw attention to himself by asking. Has anyone any ideas how school/teachers/my son can make this more manageable for him?

I’ve mentioned it to senior staff, but not got very far because I’m not sure what I can really expect them to do for him. My thoughts are that teachers could ask him to run an errand for them half way through the lesson, but they can hardly do that every lesson and it would draw attention to him.

Has anyone any suggestions or ideas?

OP posts:
Plij · 30/12/2023 00:03

RiaOverTheRainbow · 29/12/2023 23:44

Would he feel more comfortable using a code phrase? Eg asking to go to the loo, to get a drink of water or to get a new pen from his locker. Or a nonverbal signal, like putting a bright keyring on his desk. If he doesn't want to leave his desk would a fidget toy help?

All of those things would still be noticeable to the rest of the class.

90 minutes really isn't that long to stay in the same room, as the lessons will definitely be broken into separate sections.

Perhaps these could be more clearly indicated to him, with timers to make chunks more manageable or checklists showing progress with the plan, and movement within the classroom built in for him, to collect things or hand things out.

indecisivewoman81 · 30/12/2023 00:01

An you speak to the senco? They might give him an exit card that he can simply use without having to ask and get a 5 minute break.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 29/12/2023 23:44

Would he feel more comfortable using a code phrase? Eg asking to go to the loo, to get a drink of water or to get a new pen from his locker. Or a nonverbal signal, like putting a bright keyring on his desk. If he doesn't want to leave his desk would a fidget toy help?

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