I Can't Take It Anymore!
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| Sat, 09-16-2006 - 1:27am |
Our school has instituted a PBIS program. (PBIS=Positive Behavior Intervention Support) Part of this program includes what they call Friday folders which show the conduct and effort grades to the parents. Part of the program is what they call "Think It Throughs" this is, essentially, a timeout - although they'll swear on a stack of bibles it's not. What happens is, if after a warning a child doesn't fix the offending behavior, they get sent to a "Think It Through." They are expected to sit at the specified desk for the same number of minutes as they are old (sounds exactly like timeout to me) and then fill out a form about why they did what they did, and what they'll do different next time. The paper is then sent home for the parents to sign, etc.
This is not a bad system for MOST kids. But it certainly isn't going to work for my 6 year old daughter who can barely communicate her basic needs. When she gets overstimulated, or is offended by something (like the smell of her 1:1's gum) she's going to have a meltdown, and she's not going to be able to it explain to you because SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HER!!!
Today, our DD's grade for the week was a 'B'. The note read: "Two meltdowns this week. Let me know if you want me to adjust the grading scale. I know this was a part of her IEP."
WELL DUH, YOU IDIOT! Of course I want you to adjust the grading scale. If she's only having TWO meltdowns a week, then I'd say you're getting the absolute best behavior possible out of our child.
I just helped set up a positive reward system that is not based on a letter grade. (If Claire makes it the whole day on a "green light" she gets a McDollar. After she earns 5 McDollars, we go for fries after school.) Why would you undermind what we've already established by sticking a stinkin' letter grade on her for behavior she can't control 1/2 the time.
When will these people learn that you cannot make it up as you go along? When will they learn that you cannot expect an autistic child to live by the same standards set for the NT kids?
I'm going to ask that the entire system be scrapped for our daughter. Looks like I need to call a meeting and have the IEP opened yet again.
Amy


Oh, yeah, David's school was doing that kind of stuff when he was in the first grade, and they were trying to figure out what to do.
I hope it can get straightened out. That wouldn't work with Haley either. She would sit there stomping her feet, break a pencil or write about how much she hates the teacher. Nothing constructive would come of it at all. Would only escalate the problem.
~ Jill
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
Yup!
We are dealing with same crapola here, except Liam is in a spec ed EBD room so they looooove their behaviorist approach.