Fidgeting -school say is unacceptable

[outnumberedbymyboys]

DS1 's school report has come home today saying that he displays an unacceptable level of fidgeting. Won't sit still fidgets with objects. Sadly I recognise this! Also apparently conveys inappropriate body language - lounging / generally looking bored when not necessarily so. Has anybody else come across anything that would help with reduce the fidgeting or any tools that would help him learn about body language? I think it is driving them wild!!

What is an 'acceptable' level of fidgeting then and what measures have they put in place to help him? How old is he?

Sorry Cornslik should have added his age. He is 7.5 and does find it difficult to sit still and fidgets with objects such as pens ... anything! This is not new as he was doing this in Reception! I remove all objects from within reach when he is doing his homework.

The class taecher have given him a 'spot' to sit on whilst on the carpet which has apparentely helped a little.

Feels like I need to find a way of working with him on this at home.

Apologies for terrible spelling!

I'd say by Year 3 there should be some improvement if he is able to control it. If not and it is a problem, casuign him ot lsoe foucs and probably distract others, perhaps he could use something like a move n sit cushion and have a piece of blutak or squishy ball to fiddle with. He may have an hypermobility or sensory issues, for example, which may mean he cannot comfortably sit still without some additional support or stimulus.

agree with LIZS - he may need help to control it.

My ds is the same. He had a spot to sit on on the carpet to try and reduce his fidgeting. This was effective in year1&2.

He is now in year 3 (age 7.5 years) and they don't have carpet time and his lessons are very desk based. His teacher spoke to me last week and said, the had asked him to put a book away 5 times and he just wasn't listening. At times, when he concentrates on something you have to get his attention prior to speaking to him as he just doesn't hear you.

I have recommended to his teacher that at times she needs to engage him prior to speaking to him to re-inforce that he has to listen. I have told school that I will support them but they will have to find a strategy for dealing with it.

He is a perfectly bright boy who socialises well and I think he will grow out of it.

Unless your son's school feels that there is an underlying problem (which I doubt) then they will need to find a strategy to deal with his behaviour. They need to put some measure in place and work with your son which you can then re-inforce at home.

DS1 (yr2 just7) is dyspraxic and ASD. He is an awful fidget and fiddler. The first school he was at found him very challenging and tried the spot etc. He also used to (and still does on occasion) lollop on other children/ lean up against them when sitting for story time.

After quite a bit of intervention from Ed psyc, community paed, GP etc we eventually got to an occupational therapist who discussed dyspraxia and resultant low muscle tone making DS very slouchy. If he's sitting at the table he holds his head up with an arm.

The occupational therapist was able to recommend lots of exercises and things like trampolining and horse ridding to encourage muscle development. Now at a new school his teachers know not to highlight to him that he's fidgeting because focusing on it makes it worse. Lots of exercise is slowly improving things.

Do you consider his general muscle tone (fine and/ or gross motor skills) to be okay? If not it would be worth chatting to the Special Educational Needs COordinator (SENCO) at the school to see if they would consider a referral to occupational therapy appropriate. If you get no luck and are concerned you can go the GP, community paed route.

DS, year 2 is exactly the same so will watch this thred with interest. School punish him for it but it hasn't improved. Tells me he can't control it. Glad your school is trying something positive with the spot.

Thank you all. Antagony you could be describing my son. We have the same issues re listening. Need to get his attention first. DS 2 very different. Things have generally got a little better since more desk time in year 3 and much more work rather than play focus. Exercise does help but a limit to how much can do before school. Could this just be active boys?

I have spoken to DS teacher today to see how he's doing with the fidgeting.

We have concluded its because he is 'brighter' than his aceademic ability. IE he has the knowledge but not the reading/writing skills to match.

Could this be the same with your DS?