Stimming at school

[Jennybeans401]

Dd is in Year 5 and developmentally a few years behind her peers. She stims at home constantly (pacing and flapping) and struggles massively at school.

We had a conversation with the HT and SENCO, they've not been able to offer anything more than the fidget toys which really don't help her. She feels stressed and frustrated if she can't stim during the day. I'm guessing unless we have a specialist school we are going to find this at most mainstream schools.

I'd be grateful for some advice, should we consider either specialist school or maybe HE?

Does DD have an EHCP? Has she had a sensory OT assessment and does she have ongoing therapy?

The school could provide other things that might help e.g. movement breaks, a time out card, a wobble cushion. I have even known a child sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair.

She's still waiting for diagnosis, we are on a list and GP says will be a long time before she gets assessed. Her behaviour at school is exemplary but she's holding it all in (frustration and stress) then is stimming wildly at home. I feel like the teachers don't really understand how hard it is for her.

A diagnosis isn’t necessary for an EHCP or OT. If you are considering SS you will need an EHCP.

@JustKeepBuilding thank you

It's been a challenging day!

My eldest has a physical disability so attends a specialist school

I thought dd was coping at school and really felt she'd be okay in mainstream but recently I've seen she's not coping.

Coping well in school until late primary/early secondary then the wheels falling off isn’t uncommon in ND girls, especially those who are excellent maskers.

Have a look at the coke bottle effect, it explains DD appears to ‘cope’ ‘fine’ at school (although if the teachers actually knew what they were looking for their would be signs she wasn’t fine) and then stims exploding at home afterwards.

My DC sits on a Zuma rocking chair at school which helps loads. He didn’t get in with the wobble cushions and the Specialist Advisory Teacher recommended the Zuma chair instead.