We are discussing disability and its impact on student behavior this week. Has Cooper ever engaged in behavior at school that has required suspension according to school policy?
Also, what is Cooper's Least Restrictive Environment (to what extent is he educated with his non-disabled peers)? How was it determined?
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yes, Cooper has been in trouble several times this current school year. Up until this past year, Cooper was never a problem child. When he did have behaviors they have always been re-directed or easily fixed.. we have always made him deal with consequences... no matter how little or big.. usually the loss of something dear to his heart..computer, ipod, movies, etc.. things he prefers to do alone.. we make him spend time with us downstairs on the couch, or sitting at the table while we talk, etc.. things he normally would not choose to do.
ReplyDeleteHe was upset during chorus practice for the "big show" and grabbed the teachers hair and yanked it back.. his response was .."I was hoping to pull off her mask and see Ms. Angi"... now that response sounds completely delusional to me..however, the specialists said in his own little world of movies;tv it is what happens sometimes.. but he is crossing that fine line.. it was obviously not acceptable behavior.. so he was not allowed to participate in the big chorus performance that evening. (the school said it and we agreed to it); as parents we also made him miss the next performance as well.. I wanted him to understand there is a consequence from school and from home.
He was suspended for a day when he stomped on a teacher foot (on purpose). He was removed from his normal classroom to take a test on the computer (in his IEP, he is allowed to have oral administration, extra time, quiet room, etc)the computers broke down, which upset him alot, then when they came back on he was trying to pull himself together when an unexpected fire alarm went off.. the class was moved outdoors; into the cold; the alarm still blaring; his shadow was gone (she was not with him at the time of the test; in his IEP we have faded her under his plan for independance during certain classes); so he was very upset; scared; etc.. he made it to one of the teachers and asked why they wouldnt make it stop; she said she couldnt and to be patient.. he stomped on her foot... the asst principal was right there; saw it all; walked him away and talked to him; he told her he was mad and did it on purpose.. many unfortunate events leading up to a major meltdown, etc... on his paperwork it says he is a "threat to others".. we do not feel he is a threat, however there is not clear cut answer on this.. he did hurt her and it was intentional..etc.. he was suspended for 1 day from school. grounded for a week from his media at home.
it may come off like we are not sensitive enough to his needs or we go over board, but we feel that he does understand alot more than he typical person with autism; he is higher functioning now, he does understand if-then problems.. we have so many friends that do not discipline at all; or baby their child so much they are an object of ridicule at school...(dressing the kid in clothing for a younger age, having them wear velcro shoes, buzzing their hair because of not wanting to deal with problems/issues..) we have always felt that to get him to be able to blend in more with the typical peers; he needs to look like them as much as possible; its unfortunate but you do not get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression.. so many times he has fit in with the looks before opening his mouth and then its just explaining what Autism is..etc.. people tend to walk the other way when you look different.
cooper has been mainstreamed from the day he entered kindergarten..he has been pulled out to attend Resource Classes for anyone that is on a lower functioning level (he is in class with all types of kids; just lower grades/test scores) every year for math, reading, english/writing.. he has always been with his peers for the core classes of science / soc. studies/ gym/ lunch/ etc..
it was a team decision from the day he was diagnosed that he would be placed with typical peers as much as possible. if there were any issues/problems; they were always addressed at monthly team mtgs and we would come up with a plan on correcting them.
That is interesting. It must be hard to find a balance between allowing for behavior due to the disability and figuring out how much he knows is in appropriate!
ReplyDeleteit's very difficult.. you have to seriously weigh each and every choice he makes and figure out why he made it; sometimes he can tell us why he did it; most of the time it doesnt make too much sense.. to me at least.. in his mind everything makes sense in his world... we dont allow too many behaviors... he pretty much always gets some sort of consequence and based on his reaction to what his punishment is.. tells us how well he understands what he did .. if he doesnt get very mad.. we think he understands and says ok.. but if he really gets upset and freaks out on me.. i usually have to wonder if he understands why he is being punished.. he's pretty good about letting us know by now..
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