Ideas for DS1

[DuruttiColumnist]

Looking for inspiration/advice.

DS1 is 5, is in reception. He's pretty switched-on (reads fluently) but has sensory issues (hates being in a line, is fidgety, finds noise tricky).

I really want him to do some activities, all his friends seem to, but I worry that if I take him to a dance or gym class, he won't understand that he's got to follow everything the teacher does. He's on a waiting list for swimming in a very small group (he didn't learn anything in a big group).

For context, I'm a music teacher, but he can't stand being taught by me and I think he's a bit young for instrumental lessons despite his good reading.

Any ideas?

Bumping...

Hello. My ds is 5 and being assessed for ASD. He is an able reader, quiet and anxious with some PDA traits. Has tried a few different classes but thinks being told he has done anything wrong is being told off and gets very upset eespecially in front of anyone so it's tricky to learn anything but he is enjoying violin. I'm a musician and it's doing my head in as he's not 'following' the schedule or doing things 'right' but i have backed right off and let him take the lead in practice. He's compliant in his lessons. I was very worried he wasnt ready but its actually worked out better than group sports type classes.

Thanks Didi.

I'm a violinist but I didn't start till 9 years old (played recorder and piano before this). I just don't think he has the resilience to learn an instrument yet, he's too easily frustrated and gives up. And can't take a word of advice from me!

I might wait a year longer and see how his listening/responding develops in school/at home.

My son has ASD and enjoys a lego club - a good few non-ASD children in the class enjoy it too. As they get older they have summer camps where they build lego robots that they program to move.

There is also coding clubs for older children.

A lot od children with sensory issues seem to enjoy karate. Could you speak to the person running the class to allow some adjustments to be made for your son so hecan take part?

Or how about scouts - not sure what age they start at.

Thanks vibe, school run a karate class so I might enquire about that.

He loves movement and is very sensory-seeking so something active would really suit him.

He also loves Lego, will keep an eye out for a club. He's very into art/craft. Actually, lots of his interests are quite solitary although he's generally really sociable.

Try Capoeira

Does he have a trampoline? My DS was always jumping around on beds and couches - he now spends about an hour a day on the trampoline and he gets that need to move out of him. We also have a mini indoor trampoline for rainy days.

Is there any trampoline classes near you?

Yes, he loves bouncing everywhere! My DM is a trampoline coach and won't let us have one (too dangerous!) but she has take him to use trampolines at the leisure centre. I'll look into classes...

I don't think we have Capoeira classes near us, for kids anyway.

Maybe rethink gettig a trampoline if he loves movement so much. My DS has been bouncing on it for an hour a day for a few years and hasn't come to harm so far. We have the safety netting up and only let one child on at a time.