Ok, will need to be edited for specifics:
Dear Class Teacher
Thank you for your email dated dd,mm,yy. I am reassured that you are aware of DS's difficulties, as my initial concern was that, perhaps, the information hadn't flowed effectively throughout his teachers. However, the fact that you are aware of his difficulties, yet continued to give him a detention regarding this incident causes me great concern.
As you will be aware, DS has organisational difficulties as stated in his Statement of SEN (page x, paragraph y). The special provision required for this is detailed on page a, paragraph b. There are several aspects of your account of the incident which can be understood better in the context of DS's disability.
1."This is not the first time he has not had all his equipment." Aspergers Syndrome is on the Autistic Spectrum. Autistic Spectrum Disorders are pervasive and difficulties will spread across a wide range of activities. DS has particular issues with organisation. If there is a specific issue with Mathematics equipment, a specific solution may need to be put in place.
- "He ws trying to take that of the person next to him so he didn't get into trouble." Aspergers Syndrome often features heightened anxiety levels and poor empathy. As children with Aspergers Syndrome are of average or above average intelligence, they are sometimes able to think of solutions to problems they face. Unfortunately, this combined with a reduced ability to empathise will mean that DS didn't appreciate the fact that a) taking someone else's equipment is essentially stealing b) it would cause distress to that child c) it could get that child in trouble. He will have seen the matter quite functionally. The teacher is cross because children don't have equipment, I don't have equipment, I need to get equipment.
- "He was not upset about being given a detention." DS may not show appropriate emotions in situations and as such may not give a usual response to a sanction. Regardless, you intended the detention to be a sanction, which I view to be an inappropriate response to a child exhibiting a feature of their disability. Just as you wouldn't punish a child who couldn't walk for remaining in their chair, it isn't appropriate to sanction a child who could not organise themselves independently as if they would not organise themselves.
Furthermore, DS is never enthusiastic about break periods, so a detention would be quite welcome in his eyes. This could lead to a passive reinforcement that poor organisation brings rewards.
I am sure that together we can work for DS's best interests and formulate interventions which will both improve DS's organisation skills and reduce the frustrations that occur when children do not have correct equipment. I would be more than willing to meet with yourself and the SENCO to update DS's IEP with specific targets and strategies that would promote this.
Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if there are any further issues which relate to DS's disability.
Yours sincerely...