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SEN

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

Adhd and environmental triggers at school

4 replies

Ffffruit · 11/05/2023 07:01

My son seems to find certain lessons harder to work in (and hence his behaviour deteriorated). Unstructured lessons such as art, drama etc. Also school has lessons in weird locations sometimes due to overcrowding I think (eg maths in a science lab, drama outside or in a main hall which is a bit corridor like). He finds the science lab a bit “triggering”, presumably because of the stools and equipment etc. Does anyone have any advice on how school could help support with this or are we looking at a situation where his school is maybe just a bit big and busy for him and therefore not the ideal environment?

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ThomasWasTortured · 11/05/2023 09:20

The school could look at arranging the timetable so DS isn’t in classrooms that are harder from a sensory PoV. They could also look at positioning within the classroom.

What support are they currently providing? Does DS have movement breaks? A time out card? Are they providing any emotional literacy support? DoesDS use noise cancelling headphones/ear defenders? Move between lessons 5 mins early/late?

Have you spoken to the SENCO? Does DS have an EHCP?

Ffffruit · 11/05/2023 13:09

Very little support at the moment. I think I’m moving towards a EHCPNA request but need to speak to the senco. These are really helpful ideas thank you. Would a EP identify the things he is struggling with which are more sensory? He’s medicated but still feeling like these things trigger him to become hyper and dysregulated so I think it needs to be a combo of help from school (or another school) as well as meds.

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ThomasWasTortured · 11/05/2023 14:53

If you think an EHCNA is necessary don’t let the SENCO put you off. Unfortunately some tell parents their DC don’t need or won’t get an EHCP, but the parents go on to successfully apply themselves.

The school should be providing SEN support.

An EP would be able to identify needs and the provision required. A sensory OT assessment would also help and focus specifically on sensory differences.

Do you think there may be an undiagnosed comorbidity?

Ffffruit · 11/05/2023 15:00

No I don’t think so. His adhd assessment was pretty straightforward re adhd and asd indicators were all quite low. He’s always experienced over stimulation in busy environments like supermarkets etc which send him into overdrive!

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