Oh! Why didn't I think of that?

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Registered: 03-31-2003
Oh! Why didn't I think of that?
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Tue, 09-05-2006 - 12:31pm

You may recall last week I posted about how wonderfully David did on his first few days of school, and how terrific his teacher is, etc. Well, Thursday and Friday were not quite as wonderful, but that's to be expected.

So, this morning, David woke up thinking, for some reason, that it was going to be yet another weekend day. He was disappointed that he wouldn't get to play all day at home, and really resisted going to school. We got there on time, but with lots of grumbling and weirdness.

After dropping off David at the place where the big kids listen to the principal's morning message, Nathan and I were on our way to his kindergarten classroom, when David's teacher stopped me. She asked how things were going, which I think is code for, "Should I expect another difficult day with David?" She acknowledged that David has Asperger's, and that it's a bit different for him, but then she asked me if I would please "have a little talk with him and tell him that in the 3rd grade we don't climb under our desks."

Well, as you can imagine, I'm just thunking myself on the head, and saying, "DUH!" In 8.5 years, it never once occurred to me to have a talk with him about appropriate behavior! So that's the answer! Obviously, I'll be talking to him this afternoon when he gets home. After that, I guess I'll be weaning him off his meds. And, well, I won't need this board anymore, of course, but I'll still try to be available to answer any questions. So, there it is. Have a talk with your child about appropriate behavior. I sure wish someone had suggested that back when he was licking the neighbors or throwing his underpants off the balconey.

Grrrmph!

(Oh, and the talk with the teacher make Nathan late for class.)

Evelyn

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-08-2006 - 11:28pm

Your talking to him at home is going to not make a darn bit of difference in the world when he is in school and a transition comes up quickly. This is a common ASD problem and one for which there are a number of very simple modifications she SHOULD be making.

1. she can give him some sort of warning that a transition is coming. A visual cue card, a verbal reminder, etc.

2. She can get a visual timer so he knows how long he has until the next transition.

3. She can provide him with a visual schedule of what takes place when and place it on his desk (particularly good if he is a clock reader)

4. She can let him stay at his desk 1-2 minutes after everyone else and then go with the class. How long REALLY would it take for her to have the aide walk him to the next activity.

5. She can provide him with a transition activity between transitions. A walk to get a drink, sensory break, carry books to the library, etc. Of course with the aforementioned transition supports of providing a warning and visual schedule.

and 6 and most important. Tell her to be a bit more flippen flexible. After all it is your son that has the autism, not her.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 09-09-2006 - 8:17am

Renee completely beat me to it.


Yep everything Renee said.


It's a school issue. Pure and simple. You arms are not so long that you can reach over to the school and guide him from class to class.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Sat, 09-09-2006 - 10:07am

Paula,

That's brilliant. Why aren't we all doing that? "Mrs. teacher, my daughter has a tantrum when I ask her to pick up her toys. Can you please talk to her about it?" "Mrs Teacher, my son is refusing to eat his vegatables. I can't have this. I have another child to take care of as well, you know. Please explain to him that he needs to eat his vegatables."

LOL
Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 09-09-2006 - 12:48pm

GREAT idea Samantha......I'm going to start sending the teacher notes on problems at home right now........I need to find a really big pad of paper first.......LOL! Too funny!

Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 09-09-2006 - 12:52pm

I'd love to! Could you imagine!?!


Ya know, if we really did it, I bet they'd shut up real quick...


-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com

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