Anyone had a child observed in school for beahvioural problems

[mumofthreebeauties]

DT is going to be observed for silly things he does in the classroom.

Just wondered what your experiences were, positive or negative.

Thanks

MO3B

Sorry, haven't had any experience but will bump it up for you

It's different for everyone, and I suspect you may not find my experience helpful. Also, I don't know if there's a "standard" way of doing it; ours was done by someone watching with a notebook and writing everything down, minute by minute. So, from our experience, be prepared:

• for the report to be a bit heart-wrenching down in black and white (ours said things like "babbled nonsense about a baby turtle" "other children laughed at X")

• for the experience to raise infinitely more questions than it answers (the inconclusiveness can be the most difficult bit)

• for quite a long discussion afterwards, which ought to be an honest exchange of views. That can be quite painful too. In my opinion, it's a time to ask questions and discuss strategies, not to excuse or justify or defend any behaviour. Best would be to use it to decide on specific approaches that can be used consistently at school and home.

The SENCo who did ds's observation (2 years ago) is now his class teacher and they seem to be getting on extremely well.

Thanks maddison and Binkie

he will be observed by someone from the behavioural unit from the local LEA/council,not the school SENCo.

I am a little concerned because at the meeting we had with SENCo and teacher, the SENCo didn't even know he was a twin and had been recently separated at the start of yr 1.

Also today another mum said her son had just not settled in this class and they had sold their house and were moving so he could go somewhere else! Bit drastic but what dos this say about the teacher.

We are sitting back now to wait for the result.Presumable they will tell us when the person is coming in and who it will be.

My MIL (retired headteacher and bundles of experience) says he is a lively inquisutive boy with some wickedness and will grow out of it.

I hope so, but then he's fine at home.

my ds was observed by the educational psychologist. she made a few notes, then took him out of the class to do some tests and talk to him alone. then he went back to class and we spoke to her about what she thought/what we thought/what could be done. was fairly useless in our case tbh, she couldnt suggest any help and the school doctor has since said he may have mild adhd which she didnt pick up on at all. i wouldnt get too excited about it

I have my suspicions he may need a firmer hand in the classroom as he will test boundaries but is fine if they are clear to him (as at home).

Our ds was observed by a social communications specialist from the SEN team (not sure what her title was). She watched him mostly in the playground, as that's where he seemed to be experiencing problems. She told us about her observations, but there wasn't anything formal like a report. She mainly gave advice to the teacher, and it does seem to be helpful, as ds now is considered as (fairly!) normal.

what type of things was he doing to warant the observation? if you don't mind sharing it.

Was that for me or gigglinggoblin? (great name!)

Ds was thought to be having problems understanding other children and the "rules" for interaction. He was also a pain in class and in the lunch hall, throwing tantrums on a fairly regular basis (occasionally having to be carried out!). Plus he was very wriggly and thought to have a concentration problem.

He was referred to OT, physio and Paeds, all with immaturity and borderline normal results. Most of his problems seem to have sorted themselves out now, a year or so later. The biggest change came when he was diagnosed as being long sighted (turned out he couldn't see the other children's faces too well in the playground!) He is still very wriggly, and an occasional pain, but the school seem more at ease with him now.

The interventions were mostly about classroom management, and introducing games in order to help the children cope with playtime better. He also had an extra star chart for managing his tantrums.

for both

thanks for the info. I'm glad he calmed down for you. Hope DS does too.

Yes, ds was observed at nursery & then in his first year at primary school. It was at my instigation as I was so worried about his behaviour, when his father left us.
The reports were very tactful although accurate and I was really glad I'd had it done. He has been signed off now.
Hope yours goes well.