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.

[anneasquith]

I'll let mum reply to my post thanks.

[andres]

Has he just started at mainstream school and if so did he attend a special school previously?

[kvalidir]

Please yourself Anne, but it's a valid point, you're advocating in effect punishing her child for being different and moving him somewhere where he won't have the opportunity to interact with people who don't have similar learning difficulties because some kids at his school are being unpleasant. Lovely message that would send to him. Not.

[gness]

Hi, Hannah...I'm a parent and spent much of my working life with children with special needs and mostly in a mainstream school.
In your position I would speak to the head or the SENCO and explain how your son is feeling.
In my experience the person you are speaking to should suggest...but if not then you ask...that one or two other pupils befriend your son at break and lunchtime......just walk with him or chat and then maybe begin to include him in games with the other children.
This is what would happen at my last school and with a member of staff keeping an eye on how things were developing it worked very well....
There are always, in any school, kind kids with a big heart who will look out for others and be happy to help in a situation like this.....

I wish you luck...it's hard isn't it when we see our children unhappy....x

[ladybirder]

Hannah I see you also have a 30 year old son with DS plus a son with autism so you must have had a lot of experience in this area. How did your 30 yr old get on at school? Was he in mainstream or special needs and how did he get on? You have certainly had your hands full. x

[kvalidir]

Yes Ladybirder, on top of that Hannah's husband also has autism, so I imagine Hannah that you are aware of the help you can receive since you must have had a lot of dealings?

[ladybirder]

Yes, Kval, perhaps we should be asking Hannah's advice as she has had so many years of experience.
I hope she gets her 10 year old sorted.

[kvalidir]

Yes, quite, Ladybirder : x

[EDDIE51]

Home schooling for those with learning difficulties needs a teacher qualified in 'Special Needs' teaching. (as my Mother was)

[EDDIE51]

^ Though in those days it was called ESN teaching (Educationally Sub Normal) not politically correct now!

[Mamyalynne]

My Daughter home educated two of my Grandchildren for a while as they were struggling in mainstream with their autism.

She has had no training whatsoever and convinced all who needed convincing she was able. She was and it got them back on an even keel and they returned to school some time later.

Hannah, with all the contacts you must have built up over the years, reach out for some assistance with your Son.

[kvalidir]

Sorry to disagree with you EDDIE but no they don't. I was homes chooled and there were a few kids with Special Needs whose parents home schooled them, they were not specialist teachers.

[Mamyalynne]

Here is a general thumbnail of guidelines - Hannah will know what applies to her child.

https://www.gov.uk/home-education

[hannah40]

From the beginning of his education I would have liked him to go to a special needs school but People above say he is able enough for mainstream .
He has extra support in the class room it’s just the social exclusion problem.
I will speak to the school but I also understand children want to be friends with like minded children not children who are different.

[AuntLydia]

You would be surprised Hannah, quite a few children are very caring and would,if asked by a teacher, take your son under their wing at break times. Also the teacher could arrange a class assembly that celebrates' how children are different, and with your permission they could perhaps explain in terms understandable to 10 year olds, about your sons condition. Getting the class to understand your son will curb their curiosity as well as including him in the class as a valued member.

[anneasquith]

Definitely more communication with your sons school/ teaching staff re integration for him, good luck .

[anneasquith]

Where your son is educated is for you and your son to decide.