DD's encounters with school Special Needs teacher

[Disappearing]

Nobody from school has raised this with me, but I hear through DD that she's recently being seen by the Special Needs teacher at school some mornings, as part of a small group, to play a boardgame about feelings. She told me which other children also go, and I know a couple of them well enough to know those children are being evaluated for Aspergers.

AFAIK DD has no SEN, but a few people, friends/relatives have recently mentioned around me things about autism, subtly and sometimes unsubtly suggesting that other people in my family have Aspergers. The least subtle was my SIL (DBro's wife) who said she thinks both my parents have aspergers, particularly my dad, and to a lesser extent my Bro, and others in the wider family.

So I'm feeling a little sensitive about this, and now anxious, particularly because this has happened with no comms from school, just DD telling me that she misses assembly some mornings to do this. Apparantly it's been going on for a while already.

What, if anything, should I make of this?

Often groups will include children who are considered good role models for appropriate behaviour and I would assume that your daughter has been included for this reason.

My DD has been very recently diagnosed as having Aspergers. School mentioned peer friendships and behaviour in class as concerns and this was followed up at school before we were involved. We knew DD was 'different' but did not think Aspergers. As long as things are not hung on to the title (ie expectation that she will behave in a certain way starts to define her, rather than her actual behaviour) then the diagnosis can be helpful. We have noticed teachers are a bit more patient with our DD. As soon as school had made their mind up as it were we were informed. I would very much suggest that you approach school and ask them why your DD is missing assembly and whether they have any concerns. Do not be frightened though.

I would guess that she is there as a good role model for the other DC. These groups are generally a bit of fun and it's seen as 'kudos' to be chosen to help. But ask the SENCo, I can see from your family history why you might be concerned.

Dd has autism and does small group work on emotions/friendships etc with her TA. A variety of children are chosen to join her, sometimes it is children with similar needs who don't have the statement and support that dd has, sometimes it's children who would provide a good role model or who display a good grasp of the skills being practised, sometimes it is dd's friends so that the TA can support her friendships and sometimes it is children who are having a tough time in their lives and a bit of individual attention would help and sometimes it is children who would struggle with what is happening in the class. It would best to speak to SENCo and ask why your dd is there really.

Our school have just started a new group called emotional literacy, my daughter goes although we did have to fill in forms for it, only a few children go to the group and its to help children with self regulating but also gives them chance to talk about how they feel or any problems they may feel they have, it sounds similar to what you mention, I would ask the teacher about it, its obviously worrying you and it might put your mind at ease once you know