DS, 7 years old, non-verbal, is in a special school for autistic children. It is an overall good school with therapists on site and they teach children life skills. They also have iPads and ICT equipment (keyboards, computers, LCDs) available in every classroom for either reward purpose i.e. child gets to use it when they have completed an assisgned task. Or they are using it for AAC and learning.
My DS wasn't too fond of iPads/screen when he joined the school. He used to enjoy painting and sensory play a lot. He even did mark making on paper with pencils and marker. It's been over a year at this school and his interest in iPads/screen have grown massively. He does not want to do painting or sensory play anymore. Or even hold a pencil. He can watch screen all day at home if he let him. We feel the iPad has been a big barrier to DS learning and he has not been making progress as much as we were expecting/hoping for. We have reduced screen time at home and replaced it with trips to supermarket, parks, trampoline and sensory play. But as he can see iPads at school, he keeps going back and wanting more of it.
I have spoken to his teachers and they say they have been trying to engage DS in other activities but he wants iPad only. He wants to watch YouTube all day. I asked the school to replace YouTube with age appropriate apps, such as drawing/colouring apps, puzzles etc. It worked for a bit but the school told me DS looks at and hears other children in the classroom watching the shows/rhymes and he gets distracted and upset. The school further said that DS will face the same problem even is he is moved to another classroom. DS recently had a physio assessment at school, and the therapist mentioned in the report that it was very difficult to engage him as he wanted iPad only and she found this behaviour different from his peers who love her toys and materials.
Should I move him to a different school? We got this school after going through tribunal and paying a lot of money to the sen solicitor. And we all know how immensely difficult and complicated the whole process is for SEN in-year admissions. Is it even worth to change schools? I have been told the other specials schools for autism are same more or less.
Should I get him assessed by an educational psychologist? I feel this current approach to learning is not working too well for DS. Can I ask the school to arrange a psychology assessment? Or should I ask the LA to do an assessment? I know LA would take ages to initiate this. I am also thinking if I should consider homeschooling? I don't know much about it but just that it is very hard.
Sorry for the long post. I am just too worried. Time is moving fast and I feel my DS will not be able to make progress with this level of screen exposure. What should I do? Can anyone guide please? I am too stressed and lost!