Mainstream school -reasonable adjustments and inclusion

[RosieLeaLovesTea]

I hope I am not being unreasonable.
My DS is in year 4. The school have been really good and providing a Individual education plan and reasonable adjustments for him as he is on the pathway for ADHD assessment but does not have a confirmed diagnosis yet.
he is really struggling with his emotions and emotional sensitivity snd anxiety.
he is so anxious he is unable to stay overnight on the school residential trip in May.
I went into the school this morning for a parents session so the children can show us their work.
what I saw his desk my DS is the only child with a desolate desk which is at the back of the classroom facing the wall with panel to the front and side blocking out any distractions. So to do his work he face away from the class. on the wooden panels he has visuals for his emotional regulation and his range of actitues to help him regulate. He does need an items on his desk -sensory box and he has a stool.
but how is he supposed to see the teacher and also focus on the board for learning. Without getting distracted by seeing the other children all in front of him. There is very little natural light because of the panels and it’s right at the back of the class.
I came away feeling really sad for my son as it really that he was so different from others.
my DS has extreme emotional sensitivity
he has been asking a lot of he has special need and if he has Autism.
i can understand now why this is.

I have emailed the SENCO raising my concerns.
I am a strong advocate for him.
he is having play therapy sessions that I fund.
he has experienced a move of school and bullying in the past which affected his behaviour.
I feel so sad for him.
was i unreasonable to raise it?

Not at all unreasonable. This isnt suitable. Is he violent?

No he is not violent or challenging to his classmates. The teachers say he plays really nicely with his friends.

Not unreasonable but what does he need in terms of adjustments? If he needs screens around him or to be slightly away from others then unfortunately he is going to be placed in a position that doesn’t block other children and is slightly remote. If you can think about the size of the space and the layout, and to suggest alternatives it sounds as though they would be try and make adjustments

Then arrange a meeting. This is totally unacceptable.

I should imagine the purpose of the screening is to allow him to focus and not be distracted by the rest of the class rather than to keep him away from the other children. An individual workstation, positioned to minimise distractions for the child and also withnaccess to the support tools he needs eg visuals etc can be a very appropriate set up. Minimising visual distractions is recommended to support children with ADHD and other attentional difficulties. Mainstream classrooms are by there very nature busy places with lots of distractions, it sound like they are working to try and support your son to minimise those distractions.

You aren’t unreasonable with raising it.

If it is handled right, a single desk with screens at the back of the class works for some DC, but it isn’t suitable for all. If it isn’t appropriate in your DC’s case and/or isn’t being handled right then it shouldn’t be used.

Some children are able to focus better if they have an individual work station. What does he feel about it?

I agree that reducing the number of distractions and busyness can often be beneficial, especially if he has the tools he needs close at hand.

Ask for a meeting with the SENCo and see if there are further adjustments that can be made, but if he doesn’t mind a work station, reassure him hat it’s there to help him.

Sounds like this has been set up on the advice of a specialist advisory teacher. It’s not a “ desolate desk” but an individual work station designed to promote concentration and engagement.
It could also have been suggested by the SENCO.
I expect he turns round and joins the class for teacher led input.
Staff will by trying to meet his individual needs and this is a positive. The best inclusive schools look at the individual needs of each pupil and don’t wait for a label or diagnosis to introduce strategies and support. A lot of time and attention goes into well set up and resources work station.
In my experience most children with their own work station are happy to work there.
The only thing I’d question is the stool.

The stool may be an adjustment to meet needs. Some DC work better with a stool than a traditional chair.

Wondered if it was to stop rocking which wouldn’t be good. Maybe he likes to kneel or stand.