Out of order comment by LSA

[Fightingforfairness]

Regular but name-changed as you don't know who's watching!

Ds has just been given LSA for support following his final sm (sensory problems and suspected AS). Is often picked on by other dc's and can get quite angry about this saying that he's had enough of it etc...and can react by pushing children if they hurt him first.
He has had to help LSA paint an area on the playground and has been told that's his quiet area to go to when annoyed and upset. When another child asked LSA if they could have one they were told that they couldn't
" because you're not a danger to other children"
Ds heard this and is obviously upset about it but has asked me not to say anything to school because he doesn't want LSA to get into trouble. Have had various discussions about bullying with the school and the fact that he has not received any support to help him control his emotions. Am now really annoyed about this.

No response from HT yet - wasn't in when I dropped off letter. Apparently though there is going to be a time out area in the playground for all children if things get a bit silly in the playground and happens in lots of schools. This is just a general area though and not anywhere painted specifically,certainly not a small square. Seems that Senco has had the idea to do this especially for ds. He was upset again yesterday,mentioned this to another member of staff who said that surely that could not be right and that it wouldn't be just for him!
At the time of painting it he asked LSA if he could put his initial in the box and was allowed to do this .

The SENCO?
WTF?
She needs re-educating, she should be on SA+ and call in external support to meet her own learning needs. Inclusion team for starters, visits to schools that have won an Autism Awareness award to see how to manage needs well...so much the SENCO should be doing and isn't.

The comment is bad enough, but could have been borne of ignorance and not thinking before she spoke.
The painted box is completely inexcusable and it is this that I would be making a formal complaint about. It shows a complete disregard for your ds's needs and his rights.

im not schocked but its totally wrong hard when your ds say's doesnt want you to complain but when i was at school they did indeed mark out areas like this for naughty children and this surely makes even more of a spectical of it he should have a quiet room to go to to calm down they should (maybe they do ) use pecs and he can then say if hes upset or stressed and should be allowed to retreat indoors to his quiet space , as pinkorkid says its all just so inappropriate

omg i just read about him being made to paint it and the lettering nowww im shocked id be spitting blood , i applaud you being so calm your a better person than me im timid but when my ganders up they better watch out its like a time machine back to the 60s when i was iin primary

Update - letter received apologising for distress caused but stating that this area was not intended to be used just by ds. Appointment to discuss next week.
Ds has brought home the agreement he signed - a behaviour plan. In it he has agreed to use a signal to LSA when he feels distressed or threatened. I asked him what the signal was and he can't remember! If he chooses not to use this signal he will be given 1 minute waiting time in designated cooling off circle. Asked ds about this circle and he knows nothing about this.
There are also other things he is meant to do with consequences for not doing these i.e increased minutes in the circle.
Ds is sure that this area is just for him and seeing as he had to create it with his LSA soon after a meeting was held to discuss his needs I believe this is the case. Ds is not aware of any time out area in the playground that all the dc's can use. Will see what happens in meeting.

Thanks for the update, fighting. I'm sure that even if they have this time out circle especially for your DS, they will back down once you explain to them how completely inappropriate it is. Lots of phrases on this thread for reasons why! Still a bit worrying if they ever thought it would be acceptable. Let us know how it goes.

ive done child safeguarding course and your not allowed to single DC out if a dozen DC are in the painted area to cool off thats one thing but if they put a child alone in there its a no no, also as others have said in your particular dc's case sensory probs and suspected AS ( they should be treating him as if he has AS) he needs a quiet out of the way place to be alone thats comfortable & not a signal he can easily forget, a pec card with sad face so he can discreetly show it and go back inside they are completely out of order even if it is ment as an area for time out thats not good enough for your dc so @ them

This sounds awful, v unkind and likely to escalate situations, a cool down area should be quiet and discreet.