Behavioural issues at school

[Carolyn.B]

I've recently found out that my five year old son has SEN due to behavioural problems. I am struggling to come to terms with this as we don't have a problem with him at home. He goes to a child minder and she has no problems with him, he attends Stagecoach for one and a half hours on a Saturday and there is no problems there. Academically he is above average and the school don't have any problems with him developing in that area. He has been described as being a fidget, not maintaining eye contact when he talks to the teacher, at times he shouts out and talks over the teacher, he was also described as interfering with other children. He is very tall for his age and tries to play with the older children at playtimes. The school have also highlighted problems with his social skills for interacting with children within his year group. Has anybody else experienced anything similar?

[tigerthecat]

Is he an only child?

[veritysims]

I have EXACTLY the same problem with my son. He too is five and is well behaved and home. Please see my question 'behaviour - five year old' dated 20/11 for some advice. I know what you're going through. It really is heartbreaking to see your child unable to conform to what is considered acceptable behaviour in school. My son is on a SEN for the same reasons and it seems to be helping a little. It helps that his teacher is lovely and supportive. She is always happy to talk about my concerns.

[Carolyn.B]

He's not the only child, I also have a 7 year old daughter who doesn't have any behavioural problems.

[sandrajo]

He is only a child, my nephew is exactly the same, and i think the school make to much of it.

[catra1]

most local authorities have advisory teachers who may b able to offer you advice (communication and interaction teams) they will also work with the school to help the teachers in dealing effectively with your son's behaviour. It is possible that he cant really control the way he is behaving, this could be down to his age or something else so it is important his teacher doesnt make excessive demands and keeps his environment safe and predictable. At this time of year it may be worth asing the SENCo at the school to prioritise your son for a vist from the educational psychologist who may offer strategies for you and school. Most schools have limited numbers of visits from an educational psychologist so it can be more difficult to get an appointment with one in the summer term. EPs can also help to look at if school are worrying unecessarily by observing the child over time

[JudgeJ]

Be careful! A large number of children are now being diagnosed with all sorts of syndromes and deficiencies which allegedly make them candidates for Special Educational Needs. For God's sake he's only five. How many children of five do not fidget? How many maintain perfect eye contact when talking to the teacher? A good primary school teacher should be able to cope with five year olds with dispositions such as these without the need to farm them out to "Special" teachers.

It seems to be very fashionable at the moment to suggest that children have SENs simply because the teachers are inept. Rather like many publicv-sector industries at the moment, teaching seems to be suffering from an alarming dose of unreality.

[wild rose]

I have a 14 yr,13, and a 5year old who wants attention all the time. All my children live with there dad. I made a choose to leave them and move with my new partner.

My 12 year old went though a tough time, was an angel when he was small. But i knew there was a problem deep down as he would find it difficult to mix with children his age and fidgeted all the time. He could only consertate for 15min or less. more than 15mins too much for him. When he was born he was small, and had problems breast feeding him. He went purple at the age of 3 days, the local doctor would not come round to see him and thought i was just seeing things. So i had to phone the ambalance to take him to hospital.

After that he has had skin problems, wetting problems, behavour problem. You name it i went though it with him.

He is 12 now and is well, I did not want to put him on any kind of drugs to control him. I knew it must be the food. So i went to a chinese doctor who told me to take sugar out of his diet, E numbers, no fizzy drinks.

He is more confident and happier.

[MumofAlex]

Being above average, fidgeting, lack of eye contact, interrupting, shouting out (impulsive?), interfering (unaware of social rules), wanting to play with older children - these are ALL signs of Asperger Syndrome.

I am not saying this is what your son has, but thought you might like to be aware and find out more about it.

Nikki