Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"I have a SEN student who has English as an additional language. All day, he screams and throws things. It's beginning to affect the wellbeing of the other children in the class and the staff. We think he might like the vibration of the scream or the sound of throwing things. We tried vibrating snake cushions, but he didn’t like them. We’ve tried ear defenders, but he won't wear them any more. It seems like he needs to have control in all situations. I wondered if you had any ideas for other things that we could try?"
It sounds like he has a PDA profile, too? I use the PANDA approach for children like this.
By feeling more in control, his anxiety may reduce, alongside his need to control the room. It does make sense: new language, new school, new rules, his anxiety must be through the roof!
Is he a picky eater, too?
"He won't eat in school at all, especially if it's brought in from home; he also won't drink."
Yes, I imagined so, again it's another anxiety coping mechanism.
I would see all of his behaviours as anxiety-driven and focus on supporting him to feel safe and in control. I believe you'll then see a reduction in these tricky-to-manage behaviours.
1 - Offer him choices
2 - Be child-led as much as possible
3 - Join him in his sensory joy so he feels safe and heard (as long as it's safe! If not, model safe ways)
4 - Offer him a safe place to retreat so that he can take ownership of it.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
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