Don't know where to start. Don't want to write an essay but don't want to drip feed either. I'm in Australia so some terminology may differ.
My son is 5. He was in prep (reception) last year. He got on just ok with it. He didn't like school and would very often cry on a Sunday night that he had to go to school next day. However he just sort of got on with it during the week. We were never called in and there were never any issues raised to us by the school. He seems to have a lot of issues with 3 boys on his class - being mean to him, calling him names, hitting him etc. We ended up going into school and talking to his teacher and they were aware to keep an eye on interactions between them all.
He's now a few weeks into year 1. And it's been awful. I have emailed his new teacher about the problems he had with the other boys but she hasn't really acknowledged it. We have now had numerous emails from his teacher saying he is acting out in class, won't settle to do his work and is screaming and crying for long periods of time. I got called into school yesterday at 10:30 because they could not settle him down. We had a meeting with the guidance counsellor and the school engagement support officer. I was really taken aback by the meeting so probably didn't take things in as well as I could have. They asked questions about my son, but I felt the whole angle of this meeting was basically that my sons behaviour was unacceptable (agreed) and that he needed to pack it in because it is taking up too much of the teachers attention. I absolutely understand this, but it's SUCH a change in his behaviour and there was no sign of this last year.
They basically said he should probably be assessed but didn't give me any clear guidance on how to do that or what happens next. I do remember agreeing to the counsellor observing my son in lessons to see what support can be put in place, but she is only there fortnightly so it will be a while now before this occurs. They also said he should see a speech pathologist and get his hearing checked.
He's been very highly emotional at home over the past couple of weeks too. He seems to have absolutely no resilience any more. He's suffering with more sleep terrors, disturbed sleep and nightmares. He's saying he's being hit when he comes home from school most days, and will say things like XX says I'm dumb/stupid. The school seemed to brush off our concerns about potential bullying here.
I'm very upset and emotional and can't think quite straight.
I've booked an appointment with a child counsellor. I have a speech pathologist appointment booked. I also have a GP appointment booked to discuss referrals for further assessment (a few years ago we were basically kicked out of daycare for 'behavioural issues' where they also suggested further assessment, they started the process but then kicked him out saying they couldn't manage him - this was a huge shock to us at the time because he did not display any of the behaviours they struggled with when he was at home. He had no further issues in the daycare we moved him to so we didn't follow up at that time).
What else can I do? I love my boy so so much. I want to do the right things for him. I want to work with the school. I feel so lost.