What does it say on his IEP under Management? Does he have a Behavior Intervention Plan? Is the teacher trained to deal with autism? All of these things are BASICS for a child like your son (and like many of our children here). Even if he has a BIP on his IEP (doubtful), it needs to be a POSTIVE behavior plan and needs to have been CREATED based on the FUNCTION of his behaviors. The only way to tell the function is to get a Functional Behavioral Assessment done. Someone skilled in taking ABC data (Antecedent, behavior, consequence) needs to do the FBA and then create a BIP based on disciplinary techniques proven to work for ASD kids. Ideally, you should request that a BCBA be used to do the FBA, create the BIP and train the teacher and staff. Since getting this sort of intervention is sometimes impossible in some situations, it might be better for your to look into programs where the staff and teachers are already trained and where BIPs are the name of the game.
I wonder if the licking and hitting could be sensory related. Both are common in kids with sensory integration dysfunction. The hitting could be fulfilling a need for deep pressure. It could also be a reaction to to a child sitting too close to them or because of the noise in the room. School caferterias can be overstimulating places for our kids.
Have you ever read "Raising a Sensory Smart Child" by Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L and Nancy Peske? It's a very helpful and informative book.
Does your son receive OT? I would talk to the school's OT about this and see if they have some suggestions.
Best of luck to you.
Hi everyone, my name is Sarah and I have a five year old son with a diagnosis of Autism. He was diagnosed in October of 2006, and started SPED preschool in January of 2007. He did well there. His teacher and I sat down at the end of the year and decided where the best placement for Jordan was for his Kindergarten year, and I (foolishly) went into this year optimistic. I had a meeting with his teacher a couple of days before school started and she shared with me the basics about her room..blah blah blah...I then shared a little bit about Jordan. She then told me she hadn't even looked at his IEP yet...that irritated me. So, anyway, school starts last Thursday, and then they have a three day weekend. He goes back to school on Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then, Thursday when I drop him off in the morning, she tells me that he had some trouble during lunch on Wednesday and he licked a child and was hitting. She told me that because of that, he wouldn't be eating with the rest of the classroom that day and she would explain to him why...well then I get a phone call from the assistant principal that same day saying that he was climbing on tables in the cafeteria, and they want me to come in for a meeting. I agree to it and I meet with the Assistant Principal this morning and he wants me to sign a consent form to allow them to take my son to a "behavior" room when he doesn't listen. He explained it to me as a room for children with behavior issues that can't function in regular classrooms. He said that Jordan's placement wouldn't be permanent, but "as needed." It's K-8 and not sped specific. He says that the other kids know about "portable 4" and it's not a desirable place to be. I refused to sign that paper. He said that if the behavior room doesn't work suspension may be needed, but he doesn't like that option. What choices do I have?? I feel backed into a corner and not supported or listened to...PLEASE HELP!!! This poor litlle guy should have an AID. Is he is acting out bec. of his autism? They have a 2-3 min time out for my daughter in the same room and vice P. office for a cool down. Do you want your child to be moved to a special ed school? I would speak up and tell them. This is plain awful........and unlawful! In special ed schools they would normally have a sensory room or quiet room for time out. I don't like the sound of this room called "portable 4". You must be very worried for your son and as amber says I would look for a special ed school as soon as possible. Stick to your guns, you know his needs better than anyone. Take care