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DS bad behaviour at school

6 replies

skywalker74 · 12/10/2010 12:11

This is my first post & it's quite long so please be gentle.

My DS is 5 (6 in January) and has been struggling at school & after school club for some time. His behaviour is getting worse. At school it seems to be centred around changing activity particularly if he's doing something he really likes. He gets aggressive, is rude to the teachers and recently has started throwing things. It then takes several members of staff to calm him down. This is obviously very disruptive to him and the rest of the class and is having an impact of his friendships with his classmates as he doesn't have many close friends. His anxiety levels are worst when it's hometime as he goes to an after school club as I work full time. The bad behaviour can continue at the club and at home although seemingly not at the same level as at school. He likes routine and gets upset if his routine is disturbed or he doesn't get his own way. His teacher has said that he is a bright, articulate boy and his language skills are good. They have suggested it's attention seeking but the usual ways of dealing with that aren't making an impact.

We've seen a paediatrican and she ruled out ADHD and concluded it was emotional immaturity and for the school to use lots of visual cues which they are doing but this hasn't worked as yet. We are waiting for a mental health referral but that's not likely until at least January/ February. The school are starting to get less understanding and obviously want to get things resolved as quickly as possible.

Any advice is very welcome as I'm at a loss but I have two specific questions - do you think a childminder after school would be better and is there any way to get a private mental health assessment i.e. through a child psychologist (and if so can anyone recommend one in Kent). Thank you

OP posts:
PixieOnaLeaf · 12/10/2010 12:22

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skywalker74 · 12/10/2010 12:36

Thanks Pixie. The paediatrician did mention that his behaviour suggested some elements of Aspergers but she was reluctant to make a diagnosis as she felt he is too young and may 'grow out of it' but as it's just getting worse not better I'm not sure I agree with that.

I'll ask the headteacher about an Education Psychologist.

OP posts:
Hullygully · 12/10/2010 12:39

He's very young and he is a boy, he may well just be struggling with all the demands of school AND after school club. I think it is a good idea to think about a childminder who could provide a calmer, smaller, more homelike environment for after school and who will be able to form a closer relationship with him than after school carers can.

PixieOnaLeaf · 12/10/2010 12:40

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walesblackbird · 12/10/2010 12:48

He sounds an awful lot like my 6 year old son. He's struggled since he started in the school's nursery and our new headmaster has now kindly told me that he is on the verge of exclusion.

My son has been diagnosed with ADHD and is now on medication. Something I found useful when researching ADHD was the Connor's questionnaire (found on line somewhere) which is the assessment that is used to determine ADHD. I had tried to pretend that it wasn't that for a long time but that pretty much confirmed it to me.

I would suggest asking for a Ed Psych assessment. Your school should also have access to a Behaviour Support Teacher who will be able to provide the school with strategies for dealing with his behaviour.

Transitions/changes is something that my son really struggles with. Any change in routine in school - ie without our support - is very traumatic for him.

My son has additional difficulties as he is adopted and therefore had a very traumatic first 12 months so that has an impact on him as well.

Would recommend a book called The Explosive Child by Ross Greene. I'm reading it at the moment and could see my son straight away.

It gives strategies on dealing with this behaviour and ways of avoiding confrontations.

In our area Paediatricians do not make an ADHD diagnosis. That can only be done by CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team). It may be worth a referral from your GP/Ed Psych?

htcps · 12/10/2010 12:58

I'm a headteacher in a Primary School and would def recommend that you ask for referral to Ed Psych. They will consult with you first, asking for as much info as you and the school can give before they decide whether to progress to a full assessment. Sometimes they can make suggestions at the consultation stage which make all the difference and don't go to full assessment. Hope things work out.

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