Playtime alternatives at sch ASD

[Skylar123]

My Ds is suffering at school I am getting to the bottom of it and I think the unstructured playtime and lunchtime is causing him a problem not to mention the sensory integration issues.
I would be interested to hear what other MS schools offer to help children on the spectrum cope with this difficult period.
My Ds sch have offered for him to sit in the medical room alone which for some children may help but Ds doesn't want to sit alone he wants his friend with him but is not allowed.
Is it too much to ask that sch provide a quiet zone, structured club so Ds can do an activity he enjoys and intergrate with a small group of children with the same interest .
They have a buddy stop but it's not monitored properly.
Any ideas on how to approach the school about tacking this as it is clearly causing a big problem for Ds and I think is a big issue revolving around his school refusal episodes that are happening at least once a week now
Any tips would be very well received thank you in advance

[claw2]

Sky, as you stated earlier your ds is already saying he feels 'different', why would he want to go and play where the little ones play!

So problem child is struggling and/or overwhelmed at playtime.

Short term solution - keep child out of the playground or go somewhere quiet. Or useless buddy schemes or friendship benches or whatever.

Long term solution - situation is caused by lacking social skills, social understanding etc. Child needs a programme designed to teach social skills etc and the opportunity to practise these skills in structured environment with peers and for interaction to be successful and positive. Before moving onto practising these skills in unstructured environment ie playtime, with supervision and monitoring, gradually increasing time spent in playground.

Sorry for going on, this is just my current 'project' that I am trying to get school to understand.

I think keeping a child out of the playground should be used as a temporary measure or a last resort, if everything else has failed.

[youarewinning]

I guess our advantage is that DS school wouldn't want to bore him back into the playground. The decision for supervision was made after he bit a number of children in frustration and began having illnesses in the afternoon so he could leave class - basically it was too much. He has made so much more progress since they began not forcing things he couldn't cope with.

[youarewinning]

There is a programme to support him get back there though.

[Skylar123]

Thanks again some very interesting responses. I guess sch are trying to help Ds social skills and they are doing so in a structured environment already. They do social classes twice a week with Ds and another small group of children. They practice situations and how to respond etc and to interact with one another. My Ds comes across as being ok he masks everything, and he is a bright boy. His levels are below average which is strange as he is intelligent . Thanks for all your advice it really helps

[claw2]

Sky, if they are already supporting your ds's social skills, why not ask for them to do this in real life situations ie the playground?

Youarewinning, it gets on my nerves when the only alternatives for kids who cant cope in the playground is 'sit on your own quietly somewhere'. Its almost like cope in the playground or be punished if you cant. Then when they are offered the choice of 'be bored to tears somewhere or go into the playground' and they choose playground 'oh he cant struggle that much he chose playground.

Why shouldn't that kid be allowed to 'play' like the others kids at playtime, just a different kind of play that they can cope with, build lego, play a game or whatever they do enjoying doing.

Sorry rant over

[Skylar123]

I agree with your rant claw and thanks I will be suggesting that they try the real life situation, very good idea. Thank you.
Senco said to me the other day after stressful time getting Ds in that perhaps her sch wants the best place for Ds. I was amazed as I fought for months to get them to take things seriously, kept telling me nothing was wrong, now they a re eating their words. Fist signs of real stress for the school and they are copping out. Makes me so mad.

[Skylar123]

Wasn't not wants

[claw2]

Personally I would agree totally with the SENCO and ask how they intend to get the resources so it is the best place for your ds.

Have you spoken to them about SA?

[Skylar123]

Yes I mentioned the other day that I would be applying for SA. I said this once before many months ago and she said it would never happen. This time she agreed that it may be a good idea and offered to do it for me. I declined politely. I'm not sure if it was before or after that she then said perhaps the sch isn't right for Ds.

[claw2]

Brilliant! she is agreeing its a good idea and offering to do it for you! Some schools seem to take it as a criticism when you apply. Say you would like to do it yourself and would really appreciate working in partnership with her. It really helps to keep school on side.