Starting School

[ThatRareAmberEagle]

Hey Guys,

I need some advice I’m a SEN mum to a 4 year old about to start school in September, I’m so worried about bullying. My DS has autism, he is verbal and just slightly delayed in understanding and speech. He is loved by many at nursery and has quite a few friends, my main concern is that he doesn’t pick up on social ques and doesn’t get when people don’t want to play with him and it makes me sad. Also he has had a few incidents at nursery where another more severe SEN child has attacked him but he has continued to play with the child and doesn’t defend himself. I’m worried when he starts school he will be bullied if he doesn’t learn to communicate or process his situations.

I don’t know if this is helpful for you but my DS is in reception this year and is on the waiting list for assessment. His speech is ever so slightly delayed (which is a miracle as far as I’m concerned because he was so behind through nursery) and he struggles with some social cues and boundaries. However, he has the most wonderful group of friends where he appears to be a central figure and has also made stand alone friendships with the 2 non verbal SEN children who have 1-2-1s. I think at this age they’re all so accepting of each other and any differences are just a part of who the other kid is.

DD is in year 4 now with a profoundly disabled child who has been with them since reception and not one child has ever made a derogatory comment, never mind bully them.

I understand your worry, I was you. Scared he wouldn’t settle and would he ever make friends, but if you’ve a good school it really shouldn’t be an issue.

Hello you, sending them off into the big world is school is quiet something, isn’t it?
My DD is in year 2 now but I remember me worring like crazy about her in the weeks running up to the first day at school.
My Toad hasn’t got additional needs but we are having a happy mix of children in our class. From Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia … and the list goes on. Children getting the additional needs met from day one. If you haven’t already speak to your school about your worries and they will be more than happy to help you out.
We are having weekly dramas in our class … had them from day one. Mainly because the kids are still learning about social intactions. But I can honestly say that the class has adapted to each other and all the individual needs within a few days. My daughter doesn’t bat an eyelid about children that don’t use their words - they will find a way to communicate and school is very proactive with communication tools. Ask them what they have in place. Ear defenders are a daily occurrence so are meltdowns because it gets all too much. But the kids and teaching staff will deal with them without negative notion. The beauty about the young children is that they are so much more open, want to help and want to be inclusive more than adults are.
I truly believe that all the things you are worrying about now will not be an issue. But there will be things good and bad around the corner you never saw coming. Trust in your child’s loveable nature. And t
speak to the staff before you start. And I an sure your son will fly and surprise you daily.