Family

[hannah40]

My 10 yrold son has learning disabilities and is at mainstream school.
My son has informed me he doesn’t have any friends to play with at lunch times.
He says he wanders around alone. He asked me if he could be home schooled.
I feel sad for him and don’t really know what to do.

[andy-hughes]

As a first reaction, you should always speak to your son's teacher, and ask their opinion and advice.

[ummmm]

Are you in a position to home school?

Agree with Andy though, speak to his teacher.

[kvalidir]

By all means talk to his teachers, and him about it, in as much detail as possible but if you are in a position to home school I can absolutely recommend it. I was home schooled, as were all of my siblings, and we really benefited from it I personally think, at least none of us are completely delinquent :) x

[hannah40]

I was thinking that having no friends in the play ground was a bit trivial to tell the teacher.

[AuntLydia]

You must speak to his teacher asap. Home schooling will not resolve any issues he has with mixing with other children. Also it may be just he's had a falling out with a couple of friends. This happened to my youngest son and I was seriously worried but it turned out it was temporary and a word with the teacher put my mind at rest. Weeks later he was in the thick of it again in the school yard. Whatever the situation you need to go to the school and seek their help.

[AuntLydia]

Hannah its not trivial and the teachers will understand. You are being a good parent!

[ummmm]

It's not trivial. His teacher would want to know.

[kvalidir]

Having no friends when you are ten is probably the end of the world, so certainly not trivial and best to nip things in the bud. Have a word with his teacher and if there are more serious things occurring it will at least give them a head's up. If things don't resolve then you can consider other options. x

[andres]

What about when he is at home? Does he have any friends to play out with? Do any of the children who go to the same school live nearby.

[hannah40]

We don’t live in an area where there are other children and even though he is 10 he has learning disabilities that would make him vulnerable in the park on his own.
If he had a friend to go out with he could go.
I just feel that he is realising he is a little different from others . He says he isn’t picked for pe and football teams. They tell him we have enough players.

[Jackdaw33]

I have to say that I abhor the term learning disabilities/difficulties. It is a blanket PC phrase to cover all conditions from the mildest to the most severe. I am never any the wiser as to what is wrong with the sufferer when such a phrase is used. Being more specific might help others to give better advice.

[hannah40]

Down syndrome

[EDDIE51]

I agree that haveing no friends is not trivial. I think it is just an outward sign of deeper problems. Has he got a doctor or social /case worker who is managing his case? He should have. If so get hold of them and tell them what you are saying on here. Home schooling needs a specialist teacher and resources. My Mother was a school teacher with special training to help ESN (Educationally Sub-Normal) children (its probably not called that now) . She used to give one to one tuition, both in school and at home.

[kvalidir]

It's absolutely imperative that his teachers understand that he's on the verges of being bullied by being excluded, perhaps because he is 'different' or perhaps just because people don't always need a reason to act like a7ses. Give the teachers a chance to sort this out but it is important they know, I would very much want to know about any distressed pupil if I were a teacher, especially one who is somewhat vulnerable. I hope everything works out for you both x

[kvalidir]

EDDIE, home schooling does NOT need a specialist teacher or resources at all.

[EDDIE51]

Here are contact details for the Downs Syndrome Association.They are very helpful.
https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/for-families-and-carers/local-support-groups/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrIXDv4jX3QIVTrvtCh2viwRGEAAYASABEgKYbfD_BwE

[ummmm]

Eddie...do you just make things up?

[anneasquith]

Would you consider him attending school here he received more attention and/or children who also have special needs ?

[anneasquith]

Sorry. Learning difficulties.

[kvalidir]

Won't that just reinforce the problem Anne? The problem is that kids at the school are isolating him possibly because he's different, you can't sort that out by removing him elsewhere, it's the kids behaviour that needs to be addressed.