Great wise MNers, what are the REAL pitfalls of year 7 - for a (PFB) child with AS?

[MrsS3]

We're doing the obvious stuff, uniform (done) numerous visits done and ongoing, form / tutor group with a few familiar faces (done) and photos of the teachers he'll need to remember.
However, I can't help but feel that it's like buying a cot and a pram for a new baby before realising you've not got a clue how to deal with it in reality and the actual practicalities are a whole lot different. Possibly a rubbish analogy but it makes sense to me . I don't want to have got the kit and the book but entirely missed the bits that will really matter. Any tips?

[PropositionJoe]

Sorry OP, I had no idea.

[MrsShrek3]

How are all your dc doing with their last week in Primary?

[sphil]

DS1 is leaving on a high note, having played Harry Enfield's Kevin in the end of term show and getting 5s in his SATs for reading, maths and science, with a 4 for writing. He can't wait to put primary school behind him, to be honest, and is really looking forward to secondary.

[KitKatGirl1]

Ds really poorly and struggling through all the last week's lovely activities, but counting down til the end of 'little' school. He got all 5s in his SATs, and a lovely report saying how ready he is for a KS3 curriculum.

Had a very typical Aspie comment on his report saying that despite his extensive scientific knowledge he must still respect other children's ideas in group work...! He says 'Why, if they're wrong?'!!!

I'm going crazy still trying to find trousers for a skinny bum (why do even the slim fit ones get massive at age 12?)

[sphil]

KitKat - DS had 'communicates his ideas with zeal'. I am wondering if this is teacherspeak for 'won't let anyone else get a word in'.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

KitKatGirl, for trousers try getting the M and S 'long' length in a smaller size. My 14 yo is in age 12 long trousers that are the right length for his average legs but fit his skinny waist much better. DS 2, who is 12 is in age 9 long! He is a titch, though.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Toughasoldboots, DS2 (Y7) has found his one friend, another lad with ASD! They don't exactly chat much but they did choose to sit next to each other on the bus on their school trip. Though when I asked DS2 if he'd like This lad to come back for tea some time, he said, 'No, thanks!'

[PropositionJoe]

sphil - yes I'm pretty sure it is!

[MrsShrek3]

Ds1 had a brilliant time tonight at the leavers play, confidence at last
He also got a very similar comment on his science report (also level 5) and I too pmsl at it... He's really loving this last week in primary and can't wait to get to high school. He's already made friend from his transition prog, yes another lad just like him with AS and a similar dreadful sense of humour.

[MushroomSoup]

How I wish I'd seen this thread 2 years ago!!
My DS has just finished Y8.
The biggest life saver for us was a 'get out of class free' card that gave him access to his named learning mentor for a while.

[KitKatGirl1]

Lolling at the similar comments on reports!!!

And just looking through all of his work sent home today (last day) in his maths book he has actually written recently: 'Today I learned I am not always right'!!!

Thanks, EllenJane for trouser info - have ordered online from M&S aged 11 long and aged 10 extra long to try - they've not arrived yet but am hoping they fit the bill (have always used Next slim fit before but they seem to have got really wide!)

[KitKatGirl1]

Thanks again, EllenJane, the aged 10 extra long M&S trousers fit my nearly 12 yr old, really skinny bum ds a dream!

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

That's good!

[KitKatGirl1]

Quick summer holiday update on ds with asd about to start secondary (private; doesn't yet know anyone):

Has spent the week at his new school in a summer workshop based on a subject he is very strong in. Went really well: he impressed the teacher (HOD), made 'friends' with a couple of (going into) year 8 boys (well at least discussed and compared games on their phones) and got to know a couple of sixth-form helpers (very useful), had some sarcastic repartee with a year 8 girl (ha ha), knows where the loos are (!) and remembered verbal instructions for something to bring the next day (yay! Has never done that at primary!).

We are so pleased and impressed (with him and school) and now looking forward to Sept 3rd!

Looking forward to hearing how all your dcs get on in a couple of weeks:-)

[MrsShrek3]

giving this one a bump as it's anxiety season here, two of us have been bitten and a third attempted, a million small anxiety moments a day regardless of what we do we can only get it wrong
An extra visit on Monday (which he claims he doesn't want) and school starts on Wednesday. Which will thereby be known as Monday and I cant decide if I have gone slowly mad

[wigglybeezer]

Another Aspy DS taking to high school like a duck to water. Well it's only two and a half weeks in and they haven't done much academic work yet but DS2 is coping well, enjoying most subjects and is part of a group of boys who all hang out and discuss mine craft etc.
DS has trouble writing quickly so has a digital voice recorder to make verbal memos to copy into his planner later and we will use it for longer written pieces as he has voice recognition software at home.
We have plastic wallets, stretchy key rings and a giant blackboard timetable/ homework reminder on the wall at home.
He does find changing for PE quickly a bit challenging though.

[MrsShrek3]

sounds good, Wiggly - fantastic that he's settled in so well and found friends too.
The PE changing will improve, as long as he doesn't panic From this thread we have got ds Greeper laces for his footy boots and bought him velcro trainers. He's improved hugely over the take off x put on y, honestly at whatever point he masters short cuts/faster changing, it will work out! I had to teach ds1 a few "cheats" that are common sense really to help him speed up. Great to hear such a positive story when we're still in the middle of anxiety city, hopefully that will be DS next week :)

[wigglybeezer]

Ds1 is at the same school two years above and is the " fashion police" he has banned Velcro on shoes and nearly had a fit when I bought DS1 Clarks shoes ( one of the things you can get away with aspies!). We had to get DS2 a cool haircut and a Vans rucksack ( low muscle tone means he would have fallen over sideways wiTh a heavy shoulder bag ), DS2 is therefore not shunning him completely. As long as he manages to avoid tucking his shirt into his boxers above his trouser waistband ( a not infrequent occurrence at home) he can pass for cool. Teachers usually like him due to his enthusiasm for learning so that helps.

[KitKatGirl1]

Ds starts tomorrow and he is insistent on spending the whole of the day reading. Should I let him? I think he needs some fresh air and I want a nice coffee at the nice country park so I think I'll insist later.

Back to work for me too tomorrow so dh will be taking him on his first day:-(

[KitKatGirl1]

Oh, and great news about your ds, wigglybeezer. Hope it continues :-)

[basildonbond]

I'd leave him to it tbh, ds spent most of the morning playing Xbox, has mooched around a bit in the garden and is now upstairs reading. I offered to take him to the park with dd(9) earlier but he dug his heels in. I could have insisted but that would have triggered a full-blown meltdown and everyone would have been thoroughly miserable.

From Tuesday onwards it's going to be full-on and he's going to have v little control over his time so for the last couple of days of the holiday I'm just letting him chill

[KitKatGirl1]

We compromised and just went for coffee and let him bring his book! At least it was a change of scenery...He's only 300 pages through a 600 page book so insisting on lights out before 9 could be fun!

Looking so much to hear how all yours get on in next few days.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Dd starts on Tuesday and is dreading it. All of her "friends" in the village have be ome increasingly bitch towards her over the holidays, culminating in a load of bitchy texts saying they don't want to be friends anymore, shouting at her in the park to go away, etc.

So she has to start school with not only no friends, but seemingly quite a few enemies as well.

[wigglybeezer]

Viva that's horrible, the good thing about secondaries is the much bigger choice of peers so I am sure she will find someone.

I have found the fact that I never see DS 2 in te playground now means I am much more relaxed in an out of sight out of mind way, I am not overanalysing his social interactions or lack of them.