Telling the class about HFA

[Spiraling]

Ds is in year 2 and had been coping well but is really starting to struggle socially and ending up in trouble and also his constant need to hug people, lick etc. His teacher, who is fab with him has offered to tell the class which I think would be good. This came about as someone is going to come in and talk about epilsey (which ds also developed this year, complex partial seizures and occasional generalised) and some else in the class has absent seizures.

Has anyone done this, how and did it go down well. I've getting from the library, inside asperger looking out by Kathryn hoopman and can I tell you about asperger, a guide for friend and family by Jude Welton. Which I hope will guess will give info. Do i Bring someone from autism outreach in or just let teacher do it. Should I be there, joe be there or not. Any good videos on you tube, or other book suggestions.

It means I have to tell ds in next two weeks, and his dad (his v. Closed about it all but gets better with ds than I do). But i can imagine if ds starts going round saying his autistic, actually I rather not imagine. So need to work this out as well.

Is this going to a general chat about Autism or telling the class specifically about your ds?

I would tell the class when he isn't there.

I remember a child was off in my primary school because his dad was ill and then sadly passed away.

The class were told about it and given an opportunity to ask loads of questions about the boy and how it would affect him.

The class was then told how to treat the boy when he returned (i.e. to not be too overdramatic but it was okay to talk about it and ask questions etc. - as his mum had agreed this). Children were given a named person to go to if they wanted to ask questions but worried about asking the boy.

When he returned the class were brilliant. Some asked, some avoided for a bit and didn't know what to say, but everyone was supportive.

I would tell the class when he isn't there.

I remember a child was off in my primary school because his dad was ill and then sadly passed away.

The class were told about it and given an opportunity to ask loads of questions about the boy and how it would affect him.

The class was then told how to treat the boy when he returned (i.e. to not be too overdramatic but it was okay to talk about it and ask questions etc. - as his mum had agreed this). Children were given a named person to go to if they wanted to ask questions but worried about asking the boy.

When he returned the class were brilliant. Some asked, some avoided for a bit and didn't know what to say, but everyone was supportive.

Thanks for the replies. Had not thought whether it would about autism or ds, will ask teachers thoughts he know the class well so will leave it to his judgement. Yes I think kids should be told about autism, my paed said there was 1 in every class, well all disabilities and conditions when young on the whole I think they are more open and accepting. A school I know did a series one term and went down well, sadly not sure it was repeated, just a unique instant.

Star, I think your right, prob best not when ds is there. Ds would prob love it, if he thought a topic directly related to him was discussed and then his classmates would definitely never hear the end of it, and give time to ask qus. Also give someone they can talk to, I know one of the LEA has asd children, but should chat about ds individual aspects. He does not obviously tick the boxes, but is so definitely quirky and has some strange ideas, ultimately he does mean well but is often have to interpret his methods if that makes any sense.

Someone gave me a leaflet produce in Scotland about autistic spectrum disorders for young people, I found it very disheartening if this is given to the young to explain asd. So going to make my own.

My DS had the autism advisory teacher come into school to give an age appropriate talk to the Y1 class about invisible disabilities and my DS's ASD in particular. He wasn't present because it would have been over his head at that stage, he has ASD, not Aspergers. It was extremely beneficial, they went from thinking he was naughty and avoiding him to being very tolerant and protective. He became quite popular, not that he cared!