First day went seemingly well...but ??

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2000
First day went seemingly well...but ??
4
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 9:59am

Hi all! Thanks for everyones input and well wishes! Everything went better than expected. I do have a question, and honestly I don't know if it is related or not, and hoping someone will have had a similar situation. The one thing Josh seemed to be upset about yesterday was at "rest time" they were not allowed to get thier towels to lay on and had to lay on the floor. He had a meltdown last night for about an hour and a half about how "the carpet hurts me very very badly mom". He seemed to say that they weren't allowed to use thier towels to lay on. Here is the thing, he is still as of this am complaining about the right side of his face hurting from the carpet (he says just the skin) and it appears that maybe it is swollen a bit. I wouldn't think just a sensory thing (at least we haven't had it with him) have this lasting effect, nor would his face appear swollen. He said it isn't his tooth, or ear, and we can see a bug bite, and he says he didn't get hurt. He insists it is the carpet. Anyone have any ideas?? And, if in fact it is the carpet how do you word a note to the teacher to ensure he is able to lay on his towel instead of the carpet withought sounding accusatory or being an "annoying overprotective parent" to the teacher?
I hope all of those that have had thier first day went well! I'd love to hear about it!

Take care and thanks again,
HEather

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 10:54am

I'm glad things went well overall.

Pat

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. --

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2000
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 1:48pm

Hi Pat!

Thank you so much!! I hadn't even thought about the rubbing of the face on the carpet! It is definatley something he would do! I kept thinking that he must have gotten hurt or something and not want to tell us, but OMG that makes so much sense! I don't know the teacher well at all, and not sure how a phone call would be recieved or when to call. Right now I guess, we'll see how things went today and go from there. I do think you are right though, that a phone call would be much better than a note, so if we have the same issue today, I'll give her a call. Thanks again.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 2:50pm
I've found that calling right after school gets out (when kids are on the bus ride home) is generaly a good time to call a teacher.

Pat

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. --

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 4:29pm

First, and I say this from experience, I would check and make sure that this is infact the rule and not Josh's misinterpretation of it. I can't tell you how many times my kids have misunderstood something and I get my panties in a bunch over it to find out, whoops, I sound like the fool.

I would just approach the teacher and say that Josh kept perseverating on laying on the carpet and it was really bothering him. Is there anyway we can help like perhaps let him lay on his towel? I wouldn't even bring up that Josh said he couldn't honestly at that point. Then if she says they aren't allowed, go into the "But gee, this was very upsetting and caused him hours of tantrumming last night. I really don't want him to have a bad experience with school over this one little sensory issue. What can we do to modify it to meet his needs as a child on the autism spectrum".

If she refuses to modify at that point you can say that you really don't agree and feel it needs to be addressed. Then if I were you I would start going up the ladder over her head until you get results.

It is ridiculus to hold a rule like that and cause a child with a disability that much discomfort. Most likely either the teacher never meant he couldn't or didn't realize it would be such a huge problem and will gladly modify. If she doesn't then I would keep a very close eye on that teacher and know that over her head there is likely a person with reason. If not then well there are other ways to go but I doubt you would need to.

Renee

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