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I assume he is going up to secondary this september?

what transition has he already done, and what have they already put in place for him.?

M&S has a range for children with sensory issues which I've heard good things about

Yes he is going this September. He has had one visit with a lot of support but when he arrived for the second one could not manage to stay. Year 7 also have a day in school before the rest arrive. He was positive about the day spent there and looking forward to it and the new start. (Primary was a challenge at times, due to lack of understanding). There is a lot of support in place and unlike all schools in the area they are flexible regarding sourcing the uniform. We have been trying various M & S clothes including the sensory range so this is work in progress.

I think it is the fact that certain things will change which are inevitable that he is finding it hard to cope with.

Hi bluemetro, maybe you could try a lesson planner with a picture of the teacher for each class. Maybe the teacher could meet to say 'hi' as he comes into the classroom. Sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference.

If he has sensory processing issues, Is he worried about navigating busy corridors between lessons? How does he generally cope in busy environments? Maybe something can be put in place to support him there?

Thanks Aquilegia. Yes moving between rooms was one of his concerns so support has been set up for that. The biggest problem at the moment is convincing an anxious child during the holidays that he will cope with the new things. Reading your reply has given me an idea so will work on something visual to show him all the positives.

Happy to help. ? Visuals work really well here with my son, and breaking big challenges down into manageable chunks so things don't seem overwhelming.

Hi Blue Metro.

Hope the summer hols are going well. I am not an expert in this field, however, our son has sensory issues, so I can share a few thoughts with you. Has your son had the Sensory Tests via the NHS? I am guessing perhaps not, as the diagnosis gives you support in terms of clothing and coping with all things sensory. The test can be accessed via your social worker.

With regard to day to day life in secondary school, again I am no expert, but happy to share our experiences. Our daughter has just finished year 7 and our son starts year 7 in September. It sounds like you are acing things, but these suggestions may help:

Build strong relationships with you sons key teachers e.g. year6/7 transition lead. SEND/inclusion lead. House/year 7 pastoral care lead etc

Ensure your son has key teachers he can go to when things can difficult (our daughter has 3!)

Has your son a "pass" that allows him to leave each lesson 5 mins early to avoid the crush when the bell goes at the end of each lesson?

Can your son manage a full day? Set up with the school that he has one rest period (every day if necessary).

Does your son have access to all the school inclusion type things that they have on offer? E.g. Forest School, any therapeutic support/mentoring the school provides etc.

What and where will your son go at lunchtime? Unstructured periods can be tough for our children. Is there a break time inclusion/quiet room supervised by a qualified teacher that he can go to?

If things get really difficult over the holidays e.g. your son becomes really anxious. Get in touch with his lead secondary transitions teacher and let him/her know (yes even in the holidays, that is their role in the school!) This will at least give you some peace of mind and give the school a heads up, before the start of term.

Hope some of the above helps. Very good luck to your son.

Take care

Simon

Thanks for your suggestions Simon. DS has had some good times in between the meltdowns, often over what seem very small things like wanting something to eat but not being able to say what he wants-usually near bedtime.

We have some things in place but grateful for more suggestions, like leaving class before others. We do have a contact at school so we will consider contacting them before term starts.

Hi Blue Metro

Useful tip! If need to get a contact number for your son's school to update them on things before term starts, contact your local authority and ask them to e-mail the head teacher, asking him/her in turn to e-mail/contact you. (I got this tip from, Stuart Guest, one of our local head teachers!!)

Hope this helps

Simon

Have you tried listing his main concerns and asking him what strategies he could use? Hard as he hasn't started yet but perhaps something to work on with whoever you have contact with?

My youngest is actually more anxious than ever now re school, even though she's just finished year 9. She has to move buildings as they are a split site school. She has been to lessons in the upper school this year but still worries over changes eg reception staff, where everything is etc.

At the end of term a member of staff worked out a list of strategies she could use with her and wrote them all down and she found that quite comforting. She also has an arrangement to go in early on the first day to talk to someone- we don't yet know who but she does know we will be contacting her head of year before school starts to find out.

Thanks Milly. We did ask about concerns before the end of term and he came up with one we hadn't thought of which they are putting into place. So it would be an idea to ask again near the beginning of term as I intend the contact the head of year so could add any concerns he has since and good to involve him.

Hi Blue Metro

Spot on and an excellent suggestion from Milly. If you make a list, don't be afraid to lay it on thickly with a trowel! Don't forget to include lots of good "adoption" words in your list: attachment, trauma, adoption friendly, empathy, acceptance, relationships, nurture, safe base, structure & consistency and so on and so forth. I have found that when I weave these terms into lists/letters/e-mails etc I get a better response/more targeted action (famous last words).

So I emailed the day before school started and got a very helpful email. Four days have now been completed, the support from school has been very good. Anxiety caused a problem over a little loss on Friday but DS remembered who to go to and was supported very well and we received a call, so by the time he got home all was well and he coped with the set back, leaving the problem at school. So pleased to say so far he has done very well with the transition and new school seem to be much more understanding. ?

Hi Bluemetro

My son started secondary school last Tuesday, just years 7 and 11; then all years on Wednesday. I have to say his secondary school has been blooming marvelous. My son is loving it! I'm just hoping it stays that way. I am so proud of both my son and his school. All the amazing transitions work that my son's primary & secondary school have been doing since April has really paid off. I am so grateful to everyone. (I am writing to both head teachers to thank them!)

Kind regards

WarwickAlive