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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask advice about writing a letter to this teacher.

11 replies

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 12/12/2018 21:23

A nice letter before anyone thinks it's a complaint it's not.

So DS is 15 and is autistic with ADHD as a side order, he attends a special school which has been an amazing placement for him over the past three years.

Over the past six months he has had a massive change in behaviour. This has been increasingly isolating himself from his peers, more meltdown, plus massive anxiety and panic attacks. School have been beyond amazing in supporting him and also us during this. He's just (this week) been taken on by CAMHS for some work so hoping this will help him

My big issue is that two weeks ago he blew up in a lesson and told the teacher to f**k off before storming from the classroom. AngryHmm. A teaching assistant went after him and got the same treatment.

Tbh I was floored as DS has never ever behaved like this. He's always been a quiet but active pupil.

School dealt with the incident and called me to let he know what had happened.

So spoke with DS when he got home. He said the teacher shouted at him (which I don't believe as they just don't do that at his school). I told him that I didn't care if she was the most unreasonable woman in the world...you don't speak to people in this way EVER. Because he is autistic we got him to think about how he might have made this teacher feel when he said what he did. I asked him if he would feel happy of someone spoke to me like that and he said no. Reminded him that this teacher was probably also someone's Mum. It takes DS a while to process stuff but he agreed that he needed to apologise to the teacher and the TA.

He apologised to the TA the very next day. In fact the TA told me that DS came straight to find him and apologise which was good. The problem is that the teacher only works very part time so DS didn't see her again until yesterday by which point he was anxious to the point of a panic attack. He was sobbing and clinging to me at the school because he was worrying. He barely slept the night before which didn't help.

The teacher was actually great about it all and I managed to have a quick chat with her while DS was clinging to me. She has very generously said that just one word on a post it note would be fine. DS has done this and I have suggested we put it in a Christmas card for her.

So if you've read this far...thank you.

Do I need/should I write a letter letting her know what steps we took about the incident of DS swearing or should I just leave it.

If it matters I am autistic too so I don't always get things right. But I don't want her to think we've raised DS to behave like this...we haven't.

I think he scared himself with his massive overreaction that day and I don't think there will ever be a repeat. In fact I am as sure as can be that he won't ever do this again.

So WIBU to include a letter to her or not? I've partially written the letter already.

My niece (also a teacher) says comments like this are like "water off a ducks back" but I am bothered and upset by what DS did and said.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 12/12/2018 21:25

Teacher here. Just leave it; honestly. Give her the card, draw a line under it. It will be fine.

Bobbiepin · 12/12/2018 21:26

If you feel you need to, a quick email saying you appreciate her support with the matter, you've spoken to DS and it won't happen again but I agree with your neice. It's done with, apologies have been made and the issue is resolved.

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 12/12/2018 21:27

Thank you Pottering

OP posts:
Allthewaves · 12/12/2018 21:28

Honestly put it out of your head. It's been sorted by ds doing his post it note.

My boys are still primary school with asd, they unfortunately have a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush when having a meltdown.

minisoksmakehardwork · 12/12/2018 21:30

I am certain that the teacher will realise this is uncharacteristic for your son and has said a one word apology on a note will be fine so I really wouldn't mention it again. A general 'thank you so much for your support with ds' in a Christmas card will convey so much more than you realise.

My son had adhd/query asd and for the matter to be brought up again, a period of time later and after an apology had been given, it would shame him and further push him into a downward spiral.

I also wouldn't dismiss out of hand what your son said about the teacher shouting. Their interpretation may well have been a teacher with a raised and tense sounding voice was shouting. I know my son can be the loudest child in the room but as soon as an adult raises their voice, it's too much for him as he is not in control of the volume then.

Hohocabbage · 12/12/2018 21:32

Well to be honest hearing that he had accepted it was wrong and hurtful and then got really anxious about it, would mean a lot more to me than a word on a post it.

Wolfiefan · 12/12/2018 21:33

He did really well to apologise to the TA. It’s no small thing.
His note is enough. The Christmas card with “thanks for all your support” idea is really lovely though.
You sound like you’re doing a great job. I do hope CAMHS can help too. Good luck.

minisoksmakehardwork · 12/12/2018 21:33

*has, not had. He is very much alive and not cured.

Dermymc · 12/12/2018 21:34

Honestly don't worry. You sound like a great parent. I don't mind swearing during meltdowns one bit. Most pupils apologise for the outburst afterwards (usually within the week).

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 12/12/2018 21:34

Thank you all. We haven't harped on about it but we did want him to think about the impact of that on others.

I will just go ahead with the card and post it note then.

Thank you.

OP posts:
rose789 · 12/12/2018 23:01

I understand why you want to explain to the teacher that your son isn’t normally like that, and that you do not condone his behaviour. But the teacher knows your son, they know he’s not normally like that.
I think a message in the Christmas card saying that you appreciate the support ds gets and thanking her would be lovely.
It sounds like you handled the situation really well

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