Child non verbal at school

[lollilou2]

Just wondered if anyone had any advice. My son is in reception, he is one of my youngest.

School have said he’s practically non verbal at school - he’ll just point to the toilet etc when he needs something. If the teacher then says ‘toilet please!’ he will repeat it very quietly and unclearly, but that’s it. He doesn’t communicate verbally with peers.

He does have a speech delay but at home he will communicate verbally. He also has a motor skill delay and hypotonia so doesn’t join in with peers at playtime so is often alone. He is under Physio for this and has a referral to SALT.

anyone have any advice on how to help him at school, he just seems so sad when he’s there!

He might be selective mute, or situational mute (which is a more accurate term for the same thing)
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/selective-mutism/
The SaLT should assess and give interventions for the school to carry out.

Would he be able to repeat phrases back if he was situational mute?

Being able to repeat back phrases quietly and unclearly doesn’t rule out SM. Have a look at SMIRA’s website. Is the SENCO involved at school? Does DS have an EHCP?

SENco not really involved. Did an intimate care plan due to him having soiling problems, that’s it. They don’t want to put him on SEN register yet, they just want to wait and see, so no EHCP

This is dreadful. Request a meeting with the SENCO. The SENCO should be involved, the school should be providing support, DS should be on the SEN register, he should have an IEP (or whatever the school calls their SEN support plan).

You should request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

thank you, I’m already appealing the decision the LA made regarding my older ASD child’s EHCP. Unfortunately they’re putting up a big fight when it comes to EHCPs these days.

What sort of things should I be asking the SENco for?

is Makaton something we could look at? The school are trying to encourage him to talk more but Im happy with any communication that gets his needs met.

Unfortunately, many parents have to appeal, some more than once, but it is worth it to get a good EHCP. The EHCP could provide so much more support, including therapies in excess of what DS will typically receive on the NHS and without the need to sit on the normal waiting list.

At the very least the school should be avoiding/using the strategies here and here. From your posts it seems they have a very limited understanding. The SENCO should also be looking at ways to support DS’s motor skills. For example, do they run anything like jump ahead or the Fizzy programme. Does DS need any adjustments/equipment for his motor skills delay and hypotonia e.g. seating support, pencil grip/different pencil, writing slope? They should be supporting DS’s social interaction e.g. planned small groups to promote interaction with peers. Do they have a nurture group? Things to reduce DS’s anxiety. They could request outside help.

Some with SM use Makaton.