Self-harming at school

[fightingthela]

Got in from work to find ds with a big bruise on his arm. He had bitten himself after being called gay by children who didn't want to have him in their group for p.e. He is regularly teased and taunted by kids in the class and I feel that I've had enough now. Teacher also had words with him about the fact that no-one wants to sit with him at lunchtime. Told to pick someone to sit with and try to build the time up gradually (before the child walks away)e.g start with maybe 30 seconds and perhaps the next day someone will sit with him longer! How is he supposed to build up the time when they are walking away? He has social communication difficulties and it breaks my heart that everyone is so horrible to him. Just wanted to rant a bit.

Google 'circle of friends'.

Send the details to your school. Tell them you expect them to implement it, but if not, explain to you what they ARE going to do and give you the evidence for this.

Do it all in writing. You can't be too assertive when it comes to your little boy and his mental health.

sorry your poor lad is having such a rotten time at school. Do what Stark says. Sadly school seem to need telling how to do their own job

:( fighting

I know this so so well.
How does the school justify there bloody response?..

The big big big thing here is that you do whatever is needed to make sure that your son's self esteem stays above that crucial line.
And that is so hard to do when he is in the situation that he is in..
but there are things that can help.. Riding is brilliant, as are martial arts ( ds seems to love the kata far more than the actual fighting)... actually there are lots of sports and clubs that would be great for a bit of self worth and esteem.
I so totally know that it isn't that easy.. But it's these things that keep my ds's head above that line.

Go and ask the school if considering your ds's needs why they think a) this will help him,b).. Why are other people being horrid suddenly be ones his responsability to fix and c).. Considering his needs how they actually expect him to achieve this.

FGS what is the matter with them, your poor boy.
They need a rocket up there arses. I did have some success with telling Dd3's HT/senco how to do her job last week. I am sure you have tried being forceful but would it be worth trying again. I took a photocopied list of my main concerns to give HT last week. I made sure she knew it was a copy too so that if she tried to ignore it I would have evidence Of what I had given her. Sorry that probably doesn't make any sense, I am really tired. Good luck.

Thanks so much for all your comments. Meeting with HT this week so hoping to have calmed down a bit by then.

Follow it up in writing. Always follow it up in writing (says she who has given the new school 5 weeks without following up anything, although regretting it to be fair)