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**Auntie**

spedrunnerspedrunner
in Special Needs

Hi Auntie, I know you are the asd pro here :) I need your help and advice.

 

I am a special ed teacher, MD class K-3 . I just started at a new school and BOY did i walk into a big mess :(  

I grew up with a brother that was autistic, he was pretty severe and suffered from other disabilities. There was not much known at the time about autism when he was growing up so we did not really have the tools/techniques like there is today

 

Anyway, i have a huge mess in my room. I have a total of 6 students.  2 are diagnosed with autism. I need some help.......Let me tell you about each of them

 

Student one - ill call him "a".  A tantrums ALL day. every transition, every time its something he does not want to do, etc.  He has a tantrum about every 15 min during the dya.  HE has a one-on-one DT aide, who is new and knows nothing about him.  I currently have a quiet spot for him in the room so that if he needs a break he can go to it, in it we have a bean bag that he likes being "rolled" in, we apply pressure, calm him down, etc.  I also use PECS communication with him and encourage him to tell us what he wants. He is capable of speaking and using the boards, but if he tantrums, there is no way of getting thru to him.  I understand he is frustrated and i know that his tantrums are a way of expressing himself and his frustrations.  He has been like this for over 2 years. He recently had a change in medication. He does not really wan tto eat anything now, besides sweets.  THe Ipad is a huge motivator for him, if we show him a "FIRST/THEN" chart and explain FIrst he needs to do his work, pack, up, etc THEN he gets his Ipad"  It works well, sometimes it doesnt. THe problem is the OTHER Students see it. THey are becoming upset with his behavior and start crying, holding their ears etc.  

The other students are all over the place academically, maturity wise, etc. Some understand, some dont.  

 

Student 2 ill call B, also is on the spectrum.  He cries at every transition, he gets upset when student A tantrums, he holds his ears, cries, etc....I also use PECS with him, have a picture schedule, try to prepare him for transitions, etc.  He loves the Ipad as well

 

Some things that were used before i came were Food as rewards. Do you work , get an m&m. I dont relaly like this and will only resort to it as a last resort. The extra sugar is not good for them, and i feel like im training a dog using this method.  The problem is, they already have these habits instilled and I am going to have a very difficult time breaking them........Individually these students are very bright and motivated and amazing. I enjoy my one on one time with them working on their goals.

 

I am just feeling VERY overwhelmed walking into a brand new environment myself, not knowing these children, they are frustrated, i am, i need to establish some order and routine without disrupting and making the class chaotic

 

I really need your help!  Whats my first step ? What do you recc??? 

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Re: **Auntie**

  • spedrunnerspedrunner

    Thank you auntie for your response, lets see if i can answer your questions

     

     MD is multiple disabilities. Some students have one diagnosis, others have several, others arent quite diagnosed with anything. I have 2 students with downs, two on the spectrum and the other two are just a combination

     

    I have NOT been given any autism training. I am new to the school and the program. I kind of feel throwin in the classroom and "deal with it" ........I have asked for training

     

    St A with the tantrums does NOT have a BIP or FBA, which i am totally in shock about. From what his therapists have told me, they do have techniques that worked last year that they are planning on meeting with me on Wed about during my prep time to discuss......along with his DT aide, he will be present.

     

    One other student in the class has a 1-1 aide. He is very young and immature and way below any other student. He is non verbal and signs, although no one in my room is trained in sign language.......he is like a busy two year old, he cant sit at all for longer than 2 min, therefore it makes it difficult to run my class bc all the other students can sort of sit for longer periods, he cant and need s a lot of hands on.  His 1-1 has resigned, she is styaing until a replacement is found. She thinks its too much work and not wanting to do it, which i respect

     

    Transitions - I use a classwide picture schedule as well as individual schedules for students that need it. I have a timer (that sets off one student, he does not like it and will cry when it goes off) I also verbally explain what will happen, model, role play, etc.....Every time we transition a few students get upset, a few refuse to stop what they are doing, and one or two follow thru......

     

    as far as student A's parents, i met them once but communicate via email and a notebook daily. I make them aware of his eating, tantrums, day, etc.  Mom has no advice, she says she cant handle him and is looking into a group home. She has another son that is also on the spectrum. I understand she has her hands full, she could not wait for summer to be over so he could come back to a full day...her words on our first meeting

     I am not sure of the new medication he is on, He was on  risperdal but mom said it was making him too zombie like and he gained a lot of weight from it. I cant recall what he is on now :(  Although i know a decreased appetite is one of the side effects......he is only eating sweets and from what i understand thats all she feeds him at home. Last year he was on a more structured diet (They had him taking breaks every 2 hrs and leaving the room to eat)

     

     I was thinking of removing the students during his tantrums, but his tantrums are seriously every 15 min :(  

     

    I am kinda pissed bc i feel thrown into a bad situation without any tips/support/etc  I feel i should have had training prior to this. I was not even made aware of this student until his arrival, which was unforgetable, he kicked and screamed and would NOT come into the classroom....

     

    Thanks for the tips and advice i really appreciate it 

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  • JenGKJenGK

    Hope you don't mind if I chime in (as the mom of a now 5 y.o. who used to be the 2 y.o. who can't sit still.

    I would plan sensory activities for before when you want him to sit for any period of time (something as simple as rice and beans, or following instructions to carry things around the room).  I would also look into alternative seating.  DS has a ball chair at school, and it does wonders for him.  

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  • spedrunnerspedrunner

    THanks auntie for all your advice and input

     

    All my students go to specials with their grade level and a 1-1 aide :)

     

     I requested a meeting with the child study team, school psychologist, his therapists and DT aide, it will be held on wed. I am hoping i get some more answers bc im seriously at a loss.

     

    Thanks girls for all your input and advice, i really truly appreciate it 

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