10 yrs. Grade 5

My son has been saying he hates school for 5 years now. It started in grade 1 when he reflected that his whole class seemed selfish and mean. He said no one listens to the teacher and everyone wants to do what they want to do. I knew he was an empathetic and sensitive child from birth, but now hearing him, in grade 1, feel this unease in the classroom was difficult. Apparently, that class had six or seven high-spirited boys and the constant classroom management was stressful for all the kids. He missed 35 days in grade 1. In grade 2, he was in a grade 2 /3 French class. He would come home so upset and confused, saying that all day long he feels dumb and he never understands what’s going on. At that time, I tried to move him into the English stream, but was persuaded to keep him in the French stream by the principal. We had him tested for CAPD, and it came back that that disorder was possible – he would have to be tested again in a year. My son started to have belly aches in grade 2 before school, or would run around the house hitting himself in the head. I thought perhaps he was autistic. By the end of grade 2, it was agreed he be moved into the English stream for grade 3. He underwent a psychological assessment and many visits to a paediatrician. I also brought him to a private therapist. My son continued to hate school and I continued to bring him but give him one day a month home; it was normally two or three. In grade 4 and now 5, he has made himself throw up, he has felt so sick about going. It has been a real struggle, and we have spent thousands of dollars and tried a few ADHD medications. I am tired; he is tired; and next year he moves to a middle school where I’m worried he will have even less support.