My Dd is nearly 15 has a dx of HFA with complex needs (difficulties associated with SPD, APD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD and PDA). She has been attending a generic special school who have failed to deliver her statement.
After requesting a copy of my DD's school records I have found school's policy on handling my DD's sensory processing difficulties. It states that DD craves touch (which she does) and that to accommodate this need they encourage her to hug staff. This is allegedly supported by the use of social stories to teach her appropriate time/place.
Am I being unreasonable to think that it is never appropriate for a girl of DD's age to hug a member of staff? Dd is identified as being highly vulnerable as she has no understanding of risk/a persons ibtentions and has great difficulty generalising skills and accepting that there are exceptions to rules. Previously to attending this school we have worked on defining appropriate touch and within school (mainstream) she used a weighted vest and a cuddle ball after she was far too friendly towards a male teacher. She also has great difficulty understanding boundaries.
At a previous caf meeting it was discussed about that school need to address appropriate contact with her TA as too tactile and holds hands etc. School thought it was ok for dd to have this level of contact with female TA's but not males. I explained that gender will make no difference to dd, she's either allowed to touch TA's in this way or she isn't. We discussed progressing to linking arms instead of hand holding to develop more age appropriate behaviour. No one has ever mentioned this strategy about hugging and I don't believe that a social story has ever been used.
Sorry for the long post but I feel that encouraging hugging staff has undermined all the hard work we have done over the years and has left my dd in a highly vulnerable position.