My son has a class "Buddy" | Autism PDD
I got a letter from my son's teacher yesteray that per the school "administration" my son Christian has been assigned a "Class Buddy" for specials (Art, Media, PE and Music) and for whenever his teacher is not with him. While I am grateful and I am sure she's a wonderful little girl, I don't think she should be burdened with my son's problems/issues. She's also with him during recess as he doesn't play with other kids. I feel so bad for her. What will this poor girl's parents think? Should I ask the school if her parents approved this role?
I let the school know that other day that Christian doesn't like when he can't do things the other kids are doing and that he feels embarrassed and inadequate. He also gets shouted at quite alot for sitting there and doing nothing. He won't ask for help as he has been told many times to "just get on with it". I think this is why he now has a buddy.
Who else's child has a "Buddy"
My son doesn't. He has a reading buddy, but all of the kindergarteners do. It sounds to me like what your child should have instead is a PARA, not a peer who is responsible for taking him around.
While I think it is good to have more interaction around peers, if a child is to have a "buddy" it should be a child in an older grade. Obviously that wouldn't work for that situation as an older child wouldn't be able to take your son to specials.
What are the responsibilities of this "buddy"? I would want to know if this girl minds doing this and what is she supposed to do. To me, it sounds like the school is trying to get out of paying a para to do this. This school does not sound so good to me if they are shouting at him and not having someone take the time to help him with tasks he can't do. Does he have an IEP?
My son Jesse had a "buddy" in the early years I think K until 2nd grade and then from that point he was able to really articulate and do things on his own. I think its great they did that for him, school will be much more fun for him.
I dont think a buddy is a bad idea, he will get some social interaction and
someone who will care how he is doing. A lot of girls I know have a little
motherly instinct anyway and I highly doubt this would work if she did not
want to do it. It would be nice if they would also offer a paraprofessional for
your son to help him learn skills so he truly can get the most of his buddy.
Our son has a para. As far as I know, he was only assigned a buddy when everyone had buddies (for example on field trips). But the teacher probably chooses seating arrangements so he sits by someone who naturally takes on a caring role, and I know his team members for the weekly nature/science walk were chosen to maximize his success -- kids who could give a little more, and stretch themselves a little farther in including him in the group.
I do agree that it's important that your son's buddy enjoys her role and that her parents see it as a positive thing. There are kids who seek out and thrive on having responsibility and being nurturing and supportive.
I would love our dd to have a buddy to mentor her but only if the child wants to do it. I tried all last year when she was in kindergarten to have the teacher find a peer that liked her to be her buddy..hold her hand, eat lunch with her and play at recess..it never happened...probably more my dd fault as she doesnt reinforce peers at all..
I like the idea of an older child that has some knowlege of what our kids need and understands. We had an ABA playgroup where nt kids knew they were there to help our kids play & talk and got rewarded for all interactions they could get out of my child:) If my child responded to them she was also rewarded..dont think the schools would do this unfortunately:(
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