If this child was in your class, what would you be thinking?

[snowdaze10]

Just curious really what teachers think when they have a child in their class like this. My son is 6 (year 2) and we're having such a tough time. For the first 2 years of school he was a dream, really happy in school and doing well. All of a sudden in year 2 he became incredibly violent and aggressive at school. We think it's based in anxiety but he runs from classes, hides in small spaces, throws anything he can get his hands on, kicks, hits, wields sticks etc. He's excluded on a daily basis and now on a part time table table for 1 hour a day to avoid permanent exclusion. He ends up monopolising TA time as they run after him or try to calm him or console him once he's calm and realise what he's done and is really upset by it. He doesn't have any extra funding and I'm told doesn't qualify for any extra support (an EHCP request has gone in but it will take a really long time to come to anything, if at all) and I'm told he doesn't qualify for any other setting bar mainstream and the school he's in is the best for SEN in the area. He's awaiting testing for ASD, mental health problems and has motor/sensory problems and is academically highly gifted (tested as such - not just my opinion!!)

Anyway, I'm curious as to what teaching staff think of you had this in your school? When I'm there I get a pity / anger / indifference / irritation / frustration / annoyance etc basically any thing you can think of. I don't know if they want me to keep him at home? Wish he didn't exist? Couldn't care less? Think for God's sack woman do better with your child? Feel sorry for me? - I have no idea but I can't bare going there anymore. I've done as much as I can and nothing is working and I have no idea where to turn to make it better and feel like I'm supposed to know somehow! What would you want me to do if this was happening in your school? What do you wish you could tell parents?

Thanks all.

Sea salt - we can't afford independent let alone paying for extra support for him. I guess it's possible in the future if the EHCP turns up good but I'll be amazed! ADHD has never been mentioned bizarrely - another thing to add to my list of research - thank you!

You may need to look into your local LA funding him then. They do this if it's the best option for your child and he can't cope in State mainstream.

Have you heard of oppositional defiant disorder? A boy in my son's year has this. I'll be honest - he was a nightmare to start with when he moved to the school. He was violent to both staff and other pupils. But he got a lot of support from school - they did a lot of education of other parents too who were concerned at him being in the class. He has settled in and calmed down a lot. He wasn't in my DS's class but they ended up playground friends.

Your child has the right to an inclusive education - as much as any other child. If the school you are at are not offering the support your child needs then I would consider looking around for another school that can.

I second the previous poster who suggested reading about PANDAs, due to the suddenness of the onset you describe. Worth ruling out, if nothing else

www.pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandaspans/what-is-pandas/

Off topic, but thank you to those who have mentioned PANDAs - I know a child who fits this perfectly but I'd never heard of this (and don't think their parents have either). I'll mention it just in case it hasn't been considered yet.

I have taught a child like this, our school were lucky enough to be in a position to pay for a educational psychologist who took the child back to 100% nurturing timetable. Books like The Angry Gremlin were used and things improved dramatically although the child was never fully integrated back into the whole class for fear of harming themselves/others.

I have to admit, before the intervention it was extremely tough, not least having to explain to other parents what had happened. It’s incredibly frustrating but I never blamed the parenting, not for something so extreme.

*an