To think college should be able to do this for my autistic DS?

[Cruisingabovetheclouds]

One of his teachers makes their students sit in a seating plan (he’s the only teacher of the 3 subjects that DS is doing that has a seating plan decided on by the teacher). The SENCO person knows that my DS (he does have both autism and adhd) doesn’t like being sat at the front of the room, this was mentioned to all his teachers. This particular teacher put him at the front on the seating plan, after a few lessons with him DS mentioned it to the SENCO, she asked the teacher if DS could be moved to the back (he likes being sat at the back), when DS went in the lesson today the teacher told him he could either sit in his seat at the front or the one empty seat that was on the very middle table in the room. AIBU to encourage DS to go back to the SENCO and ask again if he can sit at the back? DS said the teacher said to him that he will be “feeding back” to the SENCO that the matter is “resolved”.

I have an adult son with Autism. First of all speak to DS and explain that sometimes he can’t always get what he wants - talk it through with him and see if there is some compromise. I say this because it’s a tough world out there and your DS has to learn to cope with his autism. It’s hard and seems cruel but you won’t always be there for him. And it maybe that the teacher wants him close so he can be supported better. If you can’t persuade your son then ask to see the teacher yourself and see if you can’t find a solution. At least you’ll know why the teacher is insistent and whether they are being unreasonable or inflexible.
Then if you can’t sort it out escalate it to the head and ask for a meeting with them plus the senior and teacher

I’m thinking about this but don’t want to seem like the crazy unreasonable parent

Meant to add - I know it’s hard - I’ve had several battles with schools colleges DWP employers etc throughout my sons life but at 27 he finally achieved an electrical apprenticeship with a guaranteed job and I couldn’t be more proud. Just choose your battles

I’ll email the SENCO and might ring her tomorrow

Lovely to hear.

So happy to hear this, well down to your son

Done not down

Op , could the teacher be possibly thing that your son may do better in learning and understanding the lesson being sat at the front rather than the back? Some people with learning needs don't do well sat at the back and struggle

Maybe but surely he would have told the SENCO this is that was the case?

If not is

I would look into getting a ECHP. Could there be a chance he can’t sit at the back as the other pupils have asked to be seated there for a reason?

I worked as a SENCo in an FE college. Sometimes the teachers have industry experience and some teacher training but not a great deal of knowledge of SEN.

Sometimes, I could ask them to do things and they just ignored me. In my college, the SENCo role was not a management position and I had no clout. The majority of teachers were supportive or persuadable but there’s always a stubborn few.

I would email or phone the teacher yourself and explain why your son needs this perfectly reasonable adjustment. If that doesn’t work, I’d go to their line manager, usually the head of department for that subject.

this is college? why on earth do they have a seating plan for college, i'm sorry op that's absolutely mental i can't imagine them telling a bunch of adults/nearly adults where they have to sit, i'd definitely go to senco they're meant to be amazing at this stuff in colleges

why on earth do they have a seating plan for college, i'm sorry op that's absolutely mental i can't imagine them telling a bunch of adults/nearly adults where they have to sit

16-19 year olds can be very badly behaved.

I taught for many years in FE. The young people sat where they preferred. Seating plans were not heard of, even for disabled students. There may be requirements that someone sits near the front of the class, e.g. if they are visually or hearing impaired in some way; it may be the case that someone needs to be near the door. However, students could make choices. The tutor could advise, but s/he could not dictate.

I know this does not answer the question, but like others suggest, I would e-mail the tutor and sate that your son feels more comfortable sitting at the rear of the clss.

Apparently it’s only this 1 teacher that has a seating plan, the others don’t

I have just emailed the SENCO and I’ll ring her tomorrow

This is not good to hear. I thought teachers had to listen and take on board feedback from SENCO’s. I can’t believe some didn’t listen to you, that’s absolutely shocking. Thank you for all you do for children with SEN

Absolutely. Also, having a seating plan makes it a lot easier to remember names and key info on students

I have emailed the SENCO so she should see it tomorrow, he’s the only teacher that has a seating (DS’s other teachers don’t have a seating plan) plan