In need of help and advice please!

[Kelsmay]

I have suspicions that my child may have additional needs.
I raised concerns when he was at nursery at the age of 2, his speech was late, held food and drink in his mouth, didn’t like physical touch, loud/sudden noises made him scream/cry, he constantly liked to throw everything (didn’t care where it landed), various sensory issues etc. I was told by their SENCO that she didn’t have concerns so it was just left.
He is now 5 in reception at school, I don’t know how to approach the school to raise my concerns. I feel let down by the nursery and made to feel as though it’s all in my head. He still has sensory problems like loud/sudden noises (hand dryer for example), labels, texture of trousers, collar not being perfect (school uniform), panics when he has a snotty nose, he has blinking episodes, takes all of his clothes off after school, holds food and drink in his mouth daily, flapping hands occasionally, tip toe walking occasionally. He also collects objects from school, I find feathers, pebbles, ripped up paper, Pom Pom’s in his bag, pockets or even his shoes.
Am I overthinking or should I try to set up a meeting with the SENCO?

You’re not overthinking at all.
Has his teachers not raised any concerns?

Thank you.
No they haven’t, I feel as though because he doesn’t show these behaviours whilst at school they won’t notice it. There are two children in his class that have 1:1 support, I suspect my child might slip under the radar if that makes sense.

Yes see the Senco. How big are the classes? There’s usually many children so then the teacher can miss things. It will take time and patience. Ask to speak to the school nurse if the Senco can’t give you any help. An occupational therapist can really help too. Ive 2 children with SEN sounds a similar story. The help I needed wasn’t given even though I battled. Nothing for one and very late in the day for the other. A Senco actually apologised to me. Said her hands were tied. If staff can’t write evidence then you can’t get a diagnosis- they used to tell me ‘nothing to see’. So then, the referral went very badly and I was spoken to appallingly. There’s a really amazing book. I’ll try and find it… bear with me…
Good luck

This woman is fantastic
Good Luck!

You are not overthinking. My son has ASD. He has the hand flapping and aversion to hairdryers. Some of the other symptoms you mention also sound like ASD. Talk to the SENCO. Is he talking now? My son’s speech was also late and the road to diagnosis started with Speech and Language Therapy. He was 4 when he was diagnosed. The sooner your son gets the support he needs the better his development is likely to be.

The classes are of 30 children, they free flow most of the day between each reception class so that’s 60 children in and out of the rooms.
I’m sorry to hear how difficult it’s been for you and your children. Thank you for this though.

Why don't you speak to the class teacher first ?
I don't think our teachers are allowed to speak to parents and suggest a child has Sen because they do not have the professional qualifications to make a diagnosis. You need to approach the teacher and raise your concerns and they can then suggest following this up and what this will look like (and they might agree to seeing this behaviour in school too).

Hi OP
🫣oh thats a lot. Thats hard for a teacher to see then. Have patience and good luck once again.

Yes @Moonnstarzvery good idea to speak to the teacher. It didn’t work for me. Every single teacher and Senco’s until one day in seniors a Senco actually rang me because it had got so bad no one could deny it. (DD2) It’s really hard to get help. Seniors was very overwhelming for both of my children.

There’s a fab man I follow who understands things…
see pic below. I always say go with your gut instinct. Mums know 🤗

I wonder if you have SEN in your title it might get more response 🤞🏻

My daughter couldn’t even see the board, and this went unnoticed for two years when she started at school. Push to see the SENCO

If these behaviours are not been seen at school then the teacher may never know. Ask for a meeting with someone.

It feels as though every mum thinks their child has additional needs now. It makes me wonder where we are heading.

Eventbrite is great

Oh do fuck off, did you even read the post?

Learning that your child has a lifelong disability is utterly devastating and takes years to come to terms with (if we ever do).

How charming! Yes I did read the post thank you and I stand by my comment.