Concern about my Son 10 Years

[alisonb123]

Hi all,

Back in October at Parents Evening my son's teachers said they had concerns regarding "friendships" basically his lack of. I have always been aware of him have very few good friends and had spoken to teachers in previous year but none of them seemed to think there was a problem. He was put on Action Plan by the SENCO and both me and the school have been helping him in different ways.

Just before Easter we had Parent's Evening again and his teacher said my son had been having a few problems again, he has been picked on throughout school and is now in Year 6. She told me that after having a discussion with the children about an incident, a child turned to her and said that he was rude because he didn't look at people when he spoke to them. I have been thinking about this throughout the holiday and am wondering why. Surely this is not normal. Can anyone shed any light? I am going to speak to the SENCO once school starts again.

Any input would be great.

Thanks

Alison

Lack of eye contact can be a trait of various conditions. Definitely talk to SENCO again and seek a referral either through the school or GP. In the meantime can you prompt him when speaking to try to keep focussed.

Is he an only child OP?

Could you ask other children from school back to play? Maybe it would help if you could see exactly how he is interacting with other children.

Also, if he has a connection with them outside of school, he might feel more confident with them at school.

I'm afraid I don't have any experience of SENCO so can't offer advice from that angle - but I'm sure you will get all the support you need if you voice your concerns.

Good Luck.

Hi Thanks for both taking the time to reply. He is not an only child he has a sister who is 5.

The school suggested that they work with him and a choosen child, I requested who the child was to be. I take them both swimming every week and I have tried to observe and am going to step this up.
I spoke to the SENCO today and she doesn't seem to think the lack of eye contact is a problem. I also spoke to my son about and he just doesn't think he should have to make eye contact if he doesn't want to.

Right now I think I need to observe and make notes. I just worry that he going up to Secondary school in September and I don't want him to experience the bullying ect that he has done at Primary school.

Thanks again.

The school should not have put him on school action plus if he is not being seen by outside professionals. That is what school action PLUS is for! Ask your dr to refer to a paediatrician. A good one will get you & the school to do a behaviour questionnaire. Is a long process but the school should not have let it go on so long without getting him outside help.

Hi Alison

If you have concerns about this I would ask your GP to refer you to a developemental paediatrician who will be able to assess your child.

Thanks for the replies.
He isn't on Action Plan plus, It's just Action Plan. The school did contact the School Counseller due to my son seeming to be depressed, this was through quiet a bad period of bullying. When I finally got to see the counseller the bullying had calmed down and he seemed alot happier so I stupidly told her to leave talking to him. The bullying then started again and after contacting her she told me she could only speak to him if he had Mental Health issues.

I will get in touch with my doctor and see what she says.

Thanks for the input, it is much appreciated.

Hi. My son is 9 and also has a problem making eye contact. He is statemented for specific speech & language. He has 2 hours support everyday. He has very few friends and just tends to play alongside other children. Speech problems and being able to express himself clearly to others holds him back. Does anything I've mentioned similar with your son.