Thanks for your input, I knew I could count on you.
I did decide to wait and I'm glad I did. Alex's teacher might of been having a bad day (God knows, she is allowed). Things seemed to be much calmer today.
In repsonse, the hit was a random act and Alex was not the only one hit that day. His teacher is solely the Autism Impaired teacher and she has two parapros in her room. With six kids, that's a great ratio.
If anything else happens, I'll keep you posted.
When my son was moved, for first grade, he was put in a classroom of ED students (he was only dx'd as ADHD and had an OHI coding on the IEP). Well, not only did he continue to hit, but he was hit also. I didn't write any letters, but I complained to the teacher and program coordinator, and I eventually began pushing for him to be moved to another placement, since this school was not appropriate for him.
Thankfully, your situation doesn't sound that bad. So your decision to wait sounds like a good one.
Andrew was bit by another student in December. You could see the bite mark but it did not break his skin. The teacher and ST told me and they along with the teaching aids have made every effort to keep the other boy from biting Andrew again (or anyone else). I did not complain. However, if the same boy bites Andrew again without provocation, I will complain.I'd not say anything to the parent, but I would speak to the teacher. I'd remind her that SHE can call and IEP meeting and ask that an FBA be conducted and a BIP put in place. Clearly, she should also be talking to the parent herself. Teachers need help in learning to advocate for their students, too.
Yikes....I've got the hitter.....
And that is ALWYAS my fear....that she will hit a student......
I have to say that I am disappointed to hear the teacher "suggest" you place a phone call......if she feels the situation is beyond her control, she should discuss with Special Ed & Prinicipal.....but to "request" from another parent....after FIRST incident is dismaying.....
perhaps you are right.....was just bad day for her.....hhhmmmm....think I've had one or 2 of those before.....
I had this once, last year. my Son's teacher was lovely...but not schooled in dealing with Autistic behaviors. She had a hard time managing....not that she had violence or anything in her class. It was just hard to manage my "Runner" and the needs of everyone else without add'l back-up. She suggested on the QT I call the school board and have it out with them. When my Son got hurt, it wasn't by a child it was because they did not have enough hands in the classroom (which I had addressed at my 1st IEP meeting here), they added a person to the classroom at certain times during the day. They were requesting a permanent, but it never happened. I wrote to the school board and they denied my request as well. I should have sued the damn pants off the school district when he got hurt after I had a feeling with the lack of support staff, he would. I am confident we would have won, or at least settled out of court, but I'm not like that...I know the school would suffer, and it was not a catastrophic accident...(Thank God.) it would just trickle down to the children, who already have enough to deal with. They'd have to compensate for the loss of funds somewhere, right? Thus, I just accepted the temp staff who stayed to then end of the year and now he's doing much better in a class with a teacher that has first hand experience with Autistic/Disabled children and wonderul Paraprofessionals. I feel very blessed but school itself isn't everything, I need help at home too. Thats where I am having the issues now. Sorry for the rant.....But anyways the point being, IMHO, I agree too, you should not jump to hasty conclusions that your Son will get hurt and to pull him out or complain about a certain child or whatever. She may very well be trying to tell you she needs additional hands in that classroom and thats how to get it.
I would wait too
Why do you think the teacher subtly inferred that you should go to the principal or board of education? Do you think that the teacher thinks parental pressure is necessary to get the school leadership to give her the tools/backup she needs in the classroom?
Did your son do anything to provoke being hit? If it was random aggression, or if your child isn't capable of adjusting his own behavior to avoid a repeat incident, then I would be a little less willing to just wait and see how it goes.
Also, if I were you, the physical size of the child who hit would be a factor in my decision. If he's big and strong and subject to rages, he could be a serious threat to his classmates' safety. If he's small and weak, him hitting would be more of a nuisance thing that you could afford to take a "wait and see" attitude on.
Good luck with the situation.
I would wait too. The teacher is aware, your son seems okay, and if this is the 1st time, then I think the other boy deserves another chance. I know it is tough but given that my Ali is a hitter, I would want others to be compassionate so I would give the other child another chance. All kids get upset and even NT ones hit. Best of luck to you!Good morning all
I have thought and thought about this one, but I can't seem to solve it alone. I would appreciate your input.
Yesterday, I picked Alex (6yrs hfa) up from school and his AI teacher (who I love) pulled me aside. She began to tell me that one of the older boys in the AI room is becoming more aggressive and is hitting the other kids in class. Alex was hit yesterday. She wanted to let me know what was happening and subtly inferred that I should call the school principal and/or special ed dept to complain. The poor thing looked like she was at the end of her rope with this child. I was suprised because this teacher always seemd to be in control of the class before. She has been working with the boys parents as well and they are cooperative.
Now I am torn. Alex does not seem scared to go back to the classroom. He was not upset that he was hit by this boy. It is not acceptable that he was hit, but I realize that it is more of a possiblity in that environment. Alex used to be a frequent biter and he has thrown toys at other kids too. I want to be compassionate towrds the other boy, but I want to protect my child first.
Should I wait this out or start complaining?
Thanks for your input
Suzi T
As a parent that has been on both sides of the hitting thing - I have waited b/c other parents have done the same for Payne...given him a 2nd/3rd chance. They realized he couldn't control what was going on and their kids were there for similar reasons too. If Payne were to be afraid of the child, come home and have bruises, etc everywhere or refusing to go back then I would step in. By hit, does she mean hit - like a punch or hit as in slap - I have found that sometimes you need specifics. IMHO - I watch out for these kinds of things, but it also helped Payne realize that it hurt when he did it and so he slowly stopped doing it as well.