JeanneA Report post Posted April 9, 2009 The School staff seemed to think at my son Glen's annual review that Glen (15) needs an after school/evening club now he is older. Glen attends a club every Saturday for 'special needs' kids which is fantastic, he also attends this club during School holidays plus 'Mencap Daybreak Club' during holidays, and he has overnight respite (4 nights a month), which I think for Glen is enough. I have tried after school clubs in the past and they have never worked out for Glen due to him being tired at the end of a School day and attending the club has made him irritable in the evening. So I am not keen on getting Glen to attend an after school club again at the moment. I do however feel pressured by the School, they seem to think they know better than me even though I'm the parent. Please could you let me know what you think, do you think I should encourage Glen to join a club during the week even though he seems perfectly happy at home, more so now as he has his trampoline in the garden! After all he mixes with other children at School and on Saturdays, at respite and during all the holidays. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barefoot wend Report post Posted April 9, 2009 From what you say, it sounds like your son is happy with the amount of social interaction he gets - and you are too. Don't be bullied into something that you instinctively feel is wrong - ask your son about it and act on his wishes. If he's willing to give it a go, fine. It sounds to me that he needs his 'down' time and being forced to socialise may make things harder rather than easier. Barefoot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enid Report post Posted April 9, 2009 Tell them he is your son and you know best!! What he does out of school is up to you!!! <'> Enid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeanneA Report post Posted April 10, 2009 Thanks for what you've said I totally agree, I do know Glen and because of behavioural problems that occur from time to time I have learnt that it is best not to push Glen too much I know his limits and what can trigger bad behaviour off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MelowMeldrew Report post Posted April 10, 2009 My son is 14, there is nothing at all with any club, either with peers or at that age, they all turned him down on 'Insurance grounds' he presents no aggressive issue at all, but he does need constant help or support from a responsible adult. He needs them between himself and other children, he tends to be an observer a not a participant, but does exhibit a need to be 'around' them, that is why we do it, hoping he may one day attempt it. IN the end we had to settle for 'Inclusive Play' schemes, the children there are either disabled or wanting in some other way, but are aged 8 to 12, so he is with very young children really, it's not ideal, and soon they will stop him going to that,he's been there every day this week for 2hrs a day. There is nothing else, he doesn't relate at all to extended siblings in the family and won't communicate to them, and now they won't bother with him, not that they did anyway much. They never understood autism, and made no attempt to understand it either. we lay awake at night worrying where it will all end, all we can see is him being utterly dependent on us for life, even to walk down the shop. we talk about taking up some residential accommodation soon at his school, that is just putting things off really, after he leaves school ? The local SS say nothing at all is there for any autistic adult, if there was he would not have been funded to go elsewhere. They aren't building anything either. Is it to be a constant round of 'day centres' I wonder in the future ? Awful places. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
