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SEN

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

Help - 4 year old son removing bottom half of clothes at school

1 reply

LenC · 20/06/2023 16:46

Our 4 year old son is in reception class in a mainstream school. We are waiting on his draft EHCP with his main need currently being about Communication and Interaction. We aren’t on the neurodevelopmental pathway yet but that will be the next step. He struggles with transitions at school and adult led activities in the classroom which can lead to crying, screaming and falling to the floor which can stop quite quickly. However, since May half term he’s developed a habit when he’s told it’s tidy up time (despite warnings, visual prompts etc) or it’s time to do something else or not to do something, to take off his shoes and socks and his shorts and underpants. This can be in the classroom, outside in the reception play area, on the school field. On one occasion when a TA told him to remain in the classroom area as she was going to the office he took off his pants and shorts and walked to the boys toilets and was found there. He said he was cross with the TA. This seems to happen when he is cross/frustrated/upset. He doesn’t do this outside of school. The staff encourage him to put the clothes back on and sometimes it takes a while for him to comply. I’m at a loss what I can do about this as we talk to him about keeping his clothes on and he says sorry but does it again the next day. Not sure what can help redirect him away from doing this? Not sure if anyone has experienced anything like this in a school setting or has any advice?

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 21/06/2023 12:41

Initial thoughts would be sensory needs and could possibly still be a factor as sensory sensitivity can be heightened if stressed.

If he’s only doing it at school though and in response to a direction or a demand school need to be unpicking what he achieves by doing this e.g. not having to tidy up
They would need to record incidents using STAR analysis or similar ideally with someone else to observe SENCO or SLT

Staff could use agreed language and approaches
I bet you can’t put all the cars in the box before I’ve put the train track away for e.g.
Would you like to help me with the bricks or the Maths area?
I’m going to the office do you think you could give everyone a straw before I get back

Good visuals are in place if used consistently
Are timers used? Great novelty timers available.

I wouldn’t be expecting “sorry “ as if asked I’m sure he knows his clothes are meant to stay on. In a stressful situation he can’t stick to this at the moment.
Planned ignoring for stripping off and praise for keeping clothes on using visuals may help.
Has he had an OT Sensory Integration assessment?

EYFS classrooms are very busy places at tidy time lots of movement and noise again sensory overload possibly.
Tidy up won’t be specific enough instead “cars in the red box” for e.g. might help

Have staff got strategies from SALT around use of reduced language etc? Is there a calm/ quieter area in the room where he can go to at busy times?

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