Calm down space in school?

[2ndPGchimp]

Hi. I am new here as we are still getting my son assessed. He is in reception and having real problems regulating emotions/behaviour. We think at least some of this is caused by sensory overload and are introducing calm down space at home to try to give him an opportunity to regulate and reduce violent outbursts. My question is does anyone know how this would work in school? I don't think he is aware enough to take himself/ask to go somewhere to calm down. Any help much appreciated.

The only way to figure that one is to talk to school as everyone is different.

Many reception classrooms will have some sort of “quiet area” anyway so may be able to utilise that

In my son’s school they have a sensory room where he goes to take breaks. Its not very big but there is a place to sit down or things he can climb on and jump off.

In my son’s previous school there was no sensory room but his TA would take him for movement breaks like a walk in the yard or the hall if they were empty. He could use a scooter board in the corridors or bounce on a mini trampoline.

In some classrooms there is a little tent at the back of the class where a child can go to relax - and maybe wear ear defenders too to lessen the noise.

You have two issues:

First, has school got the room for a "safe space". This needs to be somewhere the child feels "safe". For instance at one stage ds2's allocated a room which was although not used as a classroom had lots of people walking through and ds2 hated it & would not use it. Another school (specialist by this time & who should have known better) kept their room locked so ds2 could not easily access it when he needed it. A child on the verge of meltdown is not likely to be able to ask for a key. Another idea would be to ask school to let your ds run off into the playground to calm down (providing this is a secure environment).

Second, the child has (i) Got to reach a stage where they can recognise they need it and (b) Be able at that time of high level of stress be actually able to go there. I think ds1 managed this for the first time after five years of trying only last year! One thing you could ask school to do is role play accessing the safe space when the child is calm so they become comfortable about accessing it. In the meantime they need an adult who can recognise signs they are getting stressed in the ds's case fidgeting or violent language and facilitate an exit from the classroom for them. Various EP's have suggested exit cards or other signals which might work for some children but did not for mine.

Basically "safe spaces" are a great idea but it is easier said than done to get a child to use them at the time they need to.

My son has learning breaks at school. I’m not sure how often at the top of my head. But he has a ten minute breaks to play ball in the hall throughout the day. It really helps. Another child has just stared joining him in his learning breaks (a new thing for the other child) and the boys Mum said it’s really helping him at school and when he comes home. 😊

My dd has a tent in the classroom and the teachers can suggest she go there if she's tired/needs a break. Her school don't have a quiet room and they said they wouldn't look to finding one for her as she would need supervising. It's not ideal. She does get a movement break in the morning and some other breaks outside of the classroom.

Thanks very much for your input. All really useful info for our meeting with EP next week.