I had an interesting day while teaching.

[no_hypocrisy]

Last edited Wed Jan 10, 2018, 06:34 AM - Edit history (1)

I substituted as a class aide and was assigned at the end of the day to the preschool class for special needs children. I've been with them about 10 times in the last six weeks. I know the staff and the kids.

A boy was put in our class one minute after his third birthday. He is autistic and can't use words to communicate. He uses a variety of screams and shrieks. I've come to recognize a pattern or two, and realized he was trying to communicate the only way he knows how.

When I first met him, he was anti-social insofar as he was suspicious of people he didn't know. He was frightened and made for the door any time the thought occurred to him. While he didn't bite or was violent, he made it clear he didn't want to be in the class and school. He was also noticeably intelligent and seemed to love the I-Pad.

Fast forward to this afternoon. The kid was acting up a little and needed focus. The head teacher put him in a make-shift cubicle with games and activities, not very large. I was asked to sit on a chair near him to observe him (and to block the only exit of escape he would likely try). He played and seemed intent on what he was doing. Then -- without warning -- he approached me, climbed onto my lap and hugged me. He did this three times. This came as a surprise to me as we didn't exactly have a rapport established. I haven't seen him do with other teachers, although it's possible he has as I haven't been with this class for about a week.

BTW, this school has a very advanced program for special needs children from preschool to second grade.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

1. My grandson is autistic...

He just turned four today. It almost sounded as if you were describing Henry. He acted the same for quite a while. Not many words, we communicate by looks and some sign.
That's a huge step for that child, he felt safe with you and let you know.
Henry is very smart also, just has no need for too many words yet. He could use an iPhone and iPad by the time he was two. Lotsa great learning apps out there.

Congratulations on a great day.

[TexasProgresive]

2. Thanks for a great story-hugs to you.

[elleng]

3. Oh THANK YOU, no_hypocricy,

for what you do, and for telling us.

[randr]

4. You understood his language

He must have been overwhelmed with joy

[Nictuku]

5. That must have been interesting

I imagine that there are guidelines and such for how to react to such behavior, given your description.

How did you react ? It seems he was 'reaching out' from probably a pretty lonely place.

[BigmanPigman]

10. As former elementary school teacher for15+ year's I know that there is a fine line

and teachers have to be very careful. My class had a Spec Ed class next door and the teacher is one of my best friends. My neighbor is a push-in teacher in middle school (spec ed). I had guest students in my class for part of the time each day. When one student ran out and tried to climb a wire fence a Marine volunteer in my room went after him and the principal came out and told the Marine to put the student down or else the district could be sued due to physically touching a student while not a school employee. There is too much that teachers have to deal with every day. Who was going to take care of my first graders if I left my class and went after him? I could've been written up for that action alone. Teaching, the law, the lack of support staff and severe budget restrictions combine to make it one of the hardest jobs on the planet.

[lunasun]

6. more hugs to you

[3catwoman3]

7. Wow! I am getting teary-eyed just reading this.

I would probably have been bawling if I'd been the one to actually experience this in the flesh.

Well done!

[Phoenix61]

8. It always feels so special when a child like

that invites you into their world. It's a big deal. You must be a very special person.

[TomSlick]

9. God bless you.

You patience and love is an inspiration.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. So many things come to mind.

First off is that I cannot imagine what it must be like dealing with special needs kids. Second is that we are not beginning to provide them with what they need (and 2.1 is that I haven't a clue what they need).

My older son was a special needs child, but not severely handicapped. He was always different, and had certain deficits, although he did reasonably well in regular classrooms. When he was 18 years old and half way through his senior year of high school I figured out that he had Asperger's (this was in 2001, and Asperger's had only recently become a diagnosable condition), but that is NOTHING like what you are describing.

Thank you for what you do, what you did with this child.