Is this a reasonable adjustment to expect the school to make?

[Borka]

DS is 5, has ASD and started Reception (mainstream) in September. He struggled at the beginning and his major difficulty was not being able to cope with the noise & activity in the playground. He had a period of school refusal which was resolved by him coming home for lunch every day.

Now the Reception class is having to go into the main playground for morning and afternoon break, which they weren't doing last term. DS, not surprisingly, is struggling again. He's been awake until 10 each night worrying about it & has been having meltdowns at the drop of a hat at home. Fine at school, apparently.

I spoke to DS's teacher about it last week & again this morning, I want him not to have to go in the playground at all, she said they don't have the staff to cover it but will talk to the SENCO.

DS gets minimal support at school, and I really think this is a small thing to ask for. Am I right, and how can I get them to agree?

It's a very reasonable adjustment, where facilities are available, and has been done for a number of children at our local school, for short periods, including my own. What did his class do at playtime, last term?

Borka,

I do not think the school have handled this at all well and seemingly have no idea either how to meet his needs. You also had to take him home previously for lunch each day; they were treading on shaky ground here by getting you to do that as well.

I would also be speaking to the SENCO directly re your son's needs. BTW is he on anything like School Action Plus currently?. Some children who appear "fine" at school are actually not and bottle up all their frustrations of the school day (some schools do say this and never notice any apparent difficulties). It also shows that their needs are not being met.

Have a look too at IPSEA's website and arm yourself with a copy of the SENCOP (SEN Code of Practice) available online.

I would actually now apply for a Statement of Special Needs from the LEA whilst these are still available. You are his best and only advocate here.

The noise adn busyness of lunch and playtimes can be particularly difficult for ASD children.
DS had all sorts of accomodations at primary - hard fought for and increased gradually.
He had a lunch club which was sort of social skills - board games and the like with a TA, A lunchtime in the computer room -and the option of an addtional one if needed, a lunchtime where he did sports with other children who needed support. The TA and the sports days the staff also had lunch with the children and supported them in the noisy hall too.
There was something else on the 4th day too - can't remember what it was so he was only in the playground 1 day. Also they allowed books in the playground towards the end of primary, so he could withdraw into a book too..

So no it does not sound unreasonable to ask for such things to me, oh and this was all in place before he had a statement!

Also ask for autism outreach team to see him, and try to get an OT to come and observe in school for sensory things that they could adjust to help avoid the meltdowns.

Thanks everyone.

Ouryve, the two reception classes have a separate outdoor area next to the classrooms & last term used that for free-flow play rather than going in the main playground. Not sure why it's changed.

Attilla, he's on SA plus, and I've been through the whole 'fine at school' thing with the school before but they really don't seem to get it. To be fair, they were prepared to fund 1:1 for lunchtimes but I've chosen to bring him home instead.

Ilisten, the support you got for your DS sounds great. My DS's school seems totally unprepared for pupils who struggle with noise, they have no lunchtime clubs or anyting like that. DS has been referred to OT so I'm hoping that will help.

Thank you all, now I feel ready to do battle with the SENCO!

Seems like his needs are simply not being fully met on SA plus. Also support on SA plus can be limited in scope.

Do speak to the SENCO and let us know how you get on. Autism Outreach are all very well and good but some schools do not really take a lot of notice of what they have to say.

I would seriously also consider making a statement application to the LEA asap. You need to think in the longer term too.

I know you're right about the statement, but how do I show that his needs aren't being met if he's doing ok accademically and he only shows his anxiety at home?

You need to keep a diary of all the times he meltsdown at home before or after school and every time he tries to refuse to go or you have to bring him home early.

That is all evidence of school not meeting his needs.

Then you need to find a sympathetic health care professional ie a Paediatrician or Speech and Language Therapist or Occupational Therapist who will support you and who understands how many children with Asd mask their symptoms at school but then explode at home.

Please for the sake of your son dont leave applying for a statement too long like I did because now my Dd3 will have to go to secondary without one

Borka the lunchtime clubs didn't exist before DS
Lots of persistant gentle pressure (and a willingness of the school to help esp when it related to H&S ie DS running off and hiding within the school probably helped too)
Also keep sending the teacher and SENCO information eg
[http://asensorylife.com/sensory-meltdowns.html this]]
[http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2010/10/preventing-meltdowns-in-children-with.html or this]] - not gret but a start. I also sent in various books for them to borrow over time starting with "can I tell you about Aspergers Sydrome?"
You need to find out if possible what causes the most anxiety and then suggest things for the school to do - I know they shold do it, but I found this by far the most effective way forwards.

Ok, I can see I need to get a lot more assertive with the school. Thanks for the links & ideas.