to think this is very disruptive??

[macdoodle]

I probably am being unreasonable and am prepared to hear it.
My DD1 has just started secondary school, she is in the "more able class" (this is what its called by the school ).
In this class, of about 20 odd, there is a boy with SN. He has an assistant for every lesson, and from what my DD tells me I guess he must have some form of autism.
But every single day, she is coming home with stories of what "X" has done. Thinks like having tantrum, which takes 20mins to calm down disrupting the lesson, shouting at the teacher, grabbing or hitting another child (and once a teacher), throwing all his books and stuff on the floor (numerous occasions), storming out of lessons etc etc.
Now the kids all seem to think this is hysterical (and great fun that almost every lesson is disrupted by "X"), but every day I am a bit , it just sounds very disruptive, and DD is starting to sound more annoyed than thinking its funny.
She does however say that is is clearly very bright indeed.
I know he has just as much right to be taught, but at the cost of disrupting a whole class of children? AIBU?? I can't quite decide TBH, and so far it doesnt appear to be affecting DD1's abilities, but we are only a term in.

I challenge EVERYONE on this thread to write to their schools and their local MPs tomorrow and share their views

Because what everyone is seeming to agree on is that inclusion is not working as it was thought it would. Children are being affected adversely by the policy of inclusion, both with and without SEN.

Yet the funny thing is our Government think we need MORE integration and inclusion... Hence why my counties have 23 places for ASD children with provision closing and why other posters say they have none.

Given the fact that this thread has near on 300 messages in 4hrs it seems to me there is a strength of opinion that needs sharing with the powers that be.

Of Course you could just leave the battle for decent SEN provision to us parents it actually affects but you run the risk that our 13% of voices will not be heard because we have personal battles to fight for every scrap of our children's provision and we are so knackered we cant hope to find the energy.
But then if you turn your back you accept the situation for what it is and stop bloody griping about it...

YouTheCat WTF???? I mean really, WTF!!!!!!

I know, I was raging.

Being momentarily held up on the bus is nothing. Anyone who frets about that is an intolerant and unpleasant. But, for most children, school is their one shot at an education. And anything that disrupts that has to be seen as a problem.

Youthecat

You did well not to elbow people out of the way to throttle that woman. How appalling!

I'm not surprised. It's ruling outrageous that someone would say that, it's 2013!!! doesn't even cover it!

Before we build the fire to burn her on I wonder if Khaleese meant that those are the traits of those particular children. Not the traits of all children with special needs?

It seems to me that the school is failing everyone but particularly the poor lad who is obviously seriously distressed and missing out on significant amounts of his education.

The problem with secondary school is it is often very "un joined up". So if over the 6 weeks of term he has had 3 meltdowns in maths, 2 in French, one in PE, 2 in drama etc etc then it may be (especially if some of the teachers / TAs keep quiet about them because they wonder if they are at fault) that no one has realised that that means that he is having a meltdown most days.

I remember when I was at school thinking "FFS - get out of X's face" at my history teacher when I was in Y7. He was giving off signals that I, as someone who spent 6 hours a day with him, could spot a mile away. I also knew that he'd been upset in science as his experiment had gone wrong. The history teacher - who spent two 35 minute lessons a week with him and was a bit rubbish - had no clue and so was upsetting him more and more by "encouraging him to contribute". As far as he was concerned the horrible scene where X tipped over his desk and ran out the room came from nowhere.

IME - The majority of yr7 kids at my twins Academy tend to be quite ridiculous in the first term of Yr 7, coming from many little primary schools where they'd had one teacher and very little change to contend with. I suspect that the boy in question is struggling with the changes of classrooms, environment, huge amounts of students, routines and different teachers and TAs. What the OP fails to appreciate that though this child's behaviour may indeed be aggressive, there will be plenty of other little darlings who are also hitting out because of the little fish big pond scenario and they don't have a TA or a diagnosis or SN.

Alternatively nfk the disruption could be seen as a learning opportunity. That, I think, was the point being made.

*absolutely

I do not even know where auto correct got 'ruling' from

(Presumes our children are not to be afforded 'one shot at education').

And that is the point I don't agree with. Anyway, I'm uncomfortable with the idea that some children have a role teaching other children about tolerance. Just by virtue of being there. I find that attitude patronising. I think school is where children go to learn. And loud noisy disruptive lessons are not conducive to learning.

But nfk there are lots of 'disruptions' to education. Schools being used as polling stations/teachers strikes/sickness.

This is an opportunity to show tolerance, compassion and understanding. A life skill that no child or adult should be without.

Good post moominleigh

Dawn, I said no such thing. When I say children need to be able to learn, I'm including all children. All of them. I just don't believe that children should have to work through disruption.

And I posted before I could make my last point -

• Obviously the answer is more schools who specialise in those with high-functioning disorders (I really hope no-one minds me saying "disorder", the words seem to change every day so I mean no offence with anything I've said). It's obvious that the boy is very bright, and needs to be somewhere where he can receive the same education as he'd be receiving in this class - but with staff who can give 1:1 care (I know he has his TA but they're clearly struggling), and maybe in a smaller class that isn't so overwhelming or triggering to his disorder.

The problem for all involved is that there aren't more of these available. It's a shit situation for everyone involved, but again - it's reasonable for people to be concerned about the welfare of their own children, whether they have SN or not. What isn't reasonable is encouraging intolerance by creating an "us and them" situation, whether that's by implying that all people with SN/AEN (as I say, the terminology seems to change so often) are disruptive and violent, or by insisting that the needs of people with SN need to be given priority over the needs of people without. Equality is never reached.

Yes, okay. You're right. Polling stations once every five years. Disruptive lessons most days. The same thing. Bring it all on. Who cares? They can learn to work through it.

Some kids will. Some kids would stay focused if the roof fell in. But not all. It sounds as if the children in the OP's class are enjoying the disruption. That;s understandable. They're only kids after all.

Some kids won't though. Some need order and calm and quiet and throwing and shouting will derail their learning.

It's super patronising and insulting to say that people just see "SN" and start hysterically bunfighting.

And belittling of people's real feelings.

Cant believe people are applauding that sort of patronising telling off.

Definitely right for me to step back.

Well said DSD.

Sunshine maybe that's your opinion, but I've read the thread in its entirety and several posters - on both sides, I'm not particularly affiliated with either - seem intent to just insult and throw names about at other posters.

The majority of posts have been justified and well-spoken on both sides, it's just the vocal minority making it seem worse than it is. I know what you're saying, but - again, taking Alexa as an example - some of the things she was saying were cruel and unnecessary towards the OP's daughter, when the daughter doesn't seem to have said anything cruel about the boy, and I just don't think that's fair.

As I said in my last post moomin I am not a parent yet at all.

So I have no "vested interest" either way so to speak.

However I really dislike the way people speak about and treat children and adults with SN's/disabilities. So many people seem to lack the awareness that just because a person is born NT and physically able doesn't mean it will stay that way. An illness or accident could change everything. And then you're on the other side of fence feeling ashamed of your old attitude.

Can I ask a serious question?

If this was my son, I don't think I would want him to be in that classroom. Not when he was being so stressed. He is obviously not getting the best and most appropriate education for him, is he? For the parents who have SN children, what would be the best resolution to this situation from your point of view?