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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

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Original poster

Helping teen with DCD manage PE

12 replies

Cheesecakemarvel · 28/04/2023 19:46

DS finds PE very difficult. Dreads PE every week. He finds it humiliating and told me it's having a bad effect on his mental health (he is only 13).
I'm going to talk to school - but realistically what can they do? They won't let him sit out PE every week. Wondering what ideas others might have please.

OP posts:

stopthepigeon · 28/04/2023 20:57

If it is harming his mental health I'd ask for him to be taken out of PE for a spell, whilst school develops an inclusion plan that enables him to be able to participate without finding the experience humiliating?

WesternEasterner · 28/04/2023 21:22

Interested to hear the responses here as my DS who is 8 is the same.

He dreads PE and honestly he is really weak with any motor things. If it was English he was really poor at he'd have additional support to access it properly, a differentiated curriculum, different outcomes etc. I asked his PE teacher what adaptations were made for him in PE. None. None at all.

A few weeks ago he got a red card for showing a 'lack of resilience when batting'. DS said he tried and tried but couldn't hit the ball so he gave up and went to sit on the side to have a break. He wasn't aggressive or disruptive, he just couldn't do it. I really really feel for him.

Original poster

Cheesecakemarvel · 28/04/2023 21:39

But what could that plan be @stopthepigeon ? That's what I'm asking. Other than skipping PE altogether. I'd be fine with that but I'm assuming school won't be.
@WesternEasterner it's really tough isn't it.

OP posts:

stopthepigeon · 28/04/2023 22:14

Really difficult without knowing your DC and their strengths/needs, but are some sports/activities easier than others and could this be factored into lesson planning, are there partners they work comfortably with they can be guaranteed to be paired with in, can possibilities for feeling exposed/embarrassed be minimised in terms of not being required to demonstrate skills in front of the larger group in turn taking, are PE staffed briefed on needs and how to be affirming and minimise anxiety, if there are some particularly high stress activities, can they officiate instead, or be sent on errands at that stage?

BTW I know children who do not do PE for reasons of anxiety/mental health.

Original poster

Cheesecakemarvel · 28/04/2023 22:34

Thank you. That is so helpful to get us thinking with DS. Also interesting to know some children don't do PE. I take DS seriously when he tells me it's too much to cope with.

OP posts:

stopthepigeon · 28/04/2023 22:44

apologies, that was typotastic.

Original poster

Cheesecakemarvel · 29/04/2023 06:24

It was a very helpful post. Much appreciated.

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TeenDivided · 29/04/2023 08:30

I have 2 DC with dyspraxia.

First I would make sure the PE department know about the diagnosis.

Then I would discuss with them adjustments dependent on their particular difficulties. e.g. Could they referee in team games rather than having to be the 'oh no we got James' kid.

Also extra time for getting changed / not complained at for being slow.

There are ways things can be managed.

Both my DC like ice skating, and DC1 used to like bouldering too. Both could swim well because we prioritised it. Not well for kids having lessons, but well compared with most peers.

Original poster

Cheesecakemarvel · 29/04/2023 08:47

Thanks. It gives me a bit more confidence about what is reasonable to expect.

OP posts:

SusiePevensie · 29/04/2023 15:35

God almighty. The aim of PE, surely, is to help all children discover ways of keeping fit that they enjoy so they grow up to be as healthy as they can be. Making kids miserable is just so counterproductive.

TeenDivided · 29/04/2023 15:39

At my DD's school they had sets for PE which were competitive or non competitive and the DC could decide which they wanted. This was fab.

Then in y10/y11 they had a variety of activities on offer with more of a focus of find something you enjoy. This was also fab, even though not enough wanted yoga for them to run it.

handmademitlove · 01/05/2023 17:46

Is he on the Sen register? He should be so he could speak to the sendco. He should have a learning plan which includes reasonable adjustments - not just for pe, but also things like tech and art? As an example, they could use the pe time to do an individual programme of OT recommended activities to develop coordination. Or allow partial participation - my children have hypermobility issues and do not do all sports, but can do some. They have alternative provision where they cannot participate.
Remind school that they have to make reasonable adjustments and they need to ensure that provision is appropriate!

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