What help can I get with education

[Georgina1475]

School is a struggle because of a block to learning, fear and anxiety which made him build a wall around himself. Daily episodes of kicking and screaming when getting ready and going into school. Now he is more able to deal with the process and when we arrive he's able to access a place where he is almost calm. I've spoken about what it's like for him in school before and without boring you, he's about two years behind. Meetings with teachers, senco and paediatricians haven't got me very far as to what help he can get. Where do I go from here. I feel like a hamster on a wheel!

[Leighz77]

"like a hamster on a wheel ",that's spot on.Also the teachers go home from their "work " day to normal life, whereas we are parents,carers and supporting roles to our children 24/7.

[Susandize]

Something stood out to me in your words: "which made him build a wall around himself." Is there someone in the school that he can learn to trust and build a relationship with? Someone who can create a little door in that wall he has put up in order to reach him?

The principal at my daughter's school has several students she visits with every morning that are similar to your son. She goes to each classroom and just has a little 2 minute visit with each kid individually to talk about how great their day will be. He doesn't even have to know why she's visiting with him, unless maybe he's older and you think it would be an advantage for him to know, since it will be public knowledge that she visits with several students. This relationship with someone in the school other than his teacher that can extend through his school years at that school will help open him up for success in the classroom. This would be a great time to give him some tips and strategies for dealing with anxiety and fear when it arises in the classroom...maybe teach him a new strategy each week without him even knowing it.

It doesn't have to be the principal. It could be the assistant principal, guidance counselor, librarian,...whoever he might already have a slight connection with that they can build up into a trusting relationship. There's no guarantee it will work with every child, but it's worth mentioning to his teacher. Good luck!

[fickelita]

My son had so much anxiety about starting first grade saying "school's boring; people are mean." It hurt my heart so much and then I feel guilty rushing him in the morning trying to get to work when he's just not feeling good and looking forward to the day! Worse is the charter school he attended for Kindergarten withdrew him and now we're without a school. I'm at a loss no one seems to be concerned with all our kids with ADHD!

[Georgina1475 in reply to fickelita]

I really empathise with you. There's been many a morning where I've become emotional after leaving him there because I know that he's worked up or just not in a good place with himself. The school assured me he was ok but it didn't help with my guilty feelings.

What's your next steps with getting your son into another school?