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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

child reluctant to go to school and often late- who can help?

31 replies

indianajane · 13/04/2008 19:52

Who should I speak to about my ds who has been not wanting to go to school for at least 2 years. He is not truanting, it is almost like a phobia. He hasn't actually missed any days due to this but is late generally once a week due to it, sometimes 10 mins, sometimes (lately)an hour. School obviously know about this and but haven't really said anything. I was hoping he'd outgrow it but this now seems less and less likely as he's actually getting (slightly) worse. I'm worried that if this isn't addressed he'll have real problems when he goes to secondary in a few years.

OP posts:
Original poster
indianajane · 13/04/2008 20:00

He's 9. I did go into school last year and ask if they would help and his teacher gave him stickers etc for being on time which helped. This years teacher doesn't do that, a bit old school. He likes his teachers though. He has a thing about his uniform, he says when he has to put it on he feels 'funny inside.' Most days it centres around that really. Taking him in his PJ's won't work with him - we've done it in the past! Now he's too big to bundle in the car anyway. He was assessed as being in the 'high risk' group for AS 2 years ago. I think it's linked to that.

OP posts:
nell12 · 13/04/2008 19:56

Speak to his school, perhaps there is something that he can do at school that he enjoys, but can only do between say 08 40 and 9am. (For example, play Top Trumps with a TA) To get this treat he has to arrive on time.

How is he in the playground? Is it the general playground mayhem at the beginning of the day that he does not like? Perhaps he can go in 10 minutes early and have some quiet time in the classroom to settle. Perhaps he can do some "Special jobs" for is teacher. I had a boy in my class a couple of years back who did not cope well at the beginning of the day and it was his job to feed the class goldfish first thing in the day.

singyswife · 13/04/2008 19:54

HI there, is there any way that you can arrange with the school to get an escort to come and collect him???? This will get him into the habit of going and it wont be you fighting with him. Also tell the school to expect him in his pj's etc. What age is he??? Does he like school once he is there?

SniffyHock · 13/04/2008 19:54

Does he tell you what it is he doesn't like?

avenanap · 13/04/2008 19:53

How old is he? Have you had a chat to his teacher to see if they can do anything to help, an incentive for him to be on time for example?

oiFoiF · 13/04/2008 19:53

why havent school done anything? it seems really mean of them to not offer anyadvice