All That And A Bag Of Chips
This happened to me about three weeks ago. Some of you know I'm a Special Ed teacher and love my job, although it's very tiring at times the rewards are immense. One of my little students had a meltdown last week. This happens occasionally with autistic students as they become overwhelmed by their senses and changes in routine are very difficult for them. This was the ancedent that led up to this incident. The rule of thumb is let them vent as speaking to them at this point is pretty useless and while they may say and do things the average person doesn't understand..it's better just to step back and not take it personally. Once calm you can talk to them again. Child is getting agitated and I see he is going to blow..his voice gets louder.."you're stupid...then he cusses ...you're insane ..completely insane I tell you!". At this point I have to remove him from the class as the other students are becoming alarmed. Once out in the hallway...he scuffs his feet on the floor...head down and charges me like a bull. My CPI training (crisis prevention) allows me to just move out of his way...and not to restrain as this would further agravate the child and only done in extreme emergencies. So there I was doing my madator impersonation in the hallway. Another teacher becomes alarmed and tries to intervene...distracts me and he makes contact with my stomach. I smash against the wall. Now she calls for help. Urg! This will only make it worse. Gym teacher comes racing down the hall...and swoops the child up and gets kicked in the groin..he goes down. Now the yelling increases and all the teachers pop their heads out of the classroom doors. Vice Principal races down the hall..tries to help..and gets smashed in the face while wearing his glasses...leaving him with an ugly raw looking bruise on his nose. The child is led to the first aid room..I requested he be left alone..knowing he will calm down in a short period. I observe him through the window a few feet away. He makes faces at me..calls me names..but again not taking it personally. For others this behavior is alarming..but for those working with special needs..it's just part of the job. Parents pick him up..mom is very upset and apologizes..I console her..don't worry not your fault., it happens. Child comes back to school the day after. Myself, the gym teacher and the Vice Principal are all nursing our wounds..from a 10 year old slightly built little boy. LOL! At recess...he walks over to my desk...gives me half his bag of chips..says I know you love Lays Potato Chips...smiles and races out the door. Days like that make it all worthwhile...I mean Lays Potato Chips!!! He loves them all most as much as I do and I know that's his way of making amends. Put a smile on my face for the rest of the week. Marianne |
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| Very sweet. Poor kid. Maybe you could sell that story to Lays Corp? |
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| Great story; I'll be smiling all morning at work with the memory of this one. |
| What a great story.
I worked in special ed for 13 years. I know how trying it can be. The great thing is that you do learn to not take it personally and that things will calm down. The bad thing is the other teachers don't. When we moved into a new building, we were met with so much resistance. They just didn't get it. They were always making snide little comments and butting in. Can you imagine if one of us were to intervene when they were dealing with a student! Heaven forbid. They have closed themselves off from seeing the good. They will never know how a bag of chips can fill your heart. It really does make it all worthwhile. I miss working so much. I miss my kids. Your story has put a smile on my face too. |
| That's cute.... lol.... would make a good commercial, almost. LOL |
| i worked in a psychiatric hospital for 2 years, and it's true, most of it just doesn't get to you after a while. never got used to the spitting though, that's one thing i just didn't stand for, even with people i liked. |
| Aww Marianne, that is such a heartwarming story! There is just something more than special about these kids! You put a smile on my face so bright and early this morning! |
| Marianne,
That is wonderful that he apologized to you with the chips. I don't know how you do it with all those kids. I can barely manage Ryan (who is not Autisic but has some autistic traits) on most days.  I feel like he is always testing me.
He talks back to me....hits me. I have to say it has gotten easier than what it used to be. I have now refused to allow his to go shopping with me. That has stopped a lot of his meltdowns. He had me so upset at Christmas time I wanted to leave him at the store. I called Billy crying hysterically that I just can't handle him anymore. Billy calmed me down the best he could...and then I went to Ryan and told him that I was leaving NOW. He could either come willingly or I would drag him out of the store. Well there was little ole me...pushing a shopping cart with one hand and dragging Ryan by the collar with the other hand. He yelled at me to stop and I told him if he would walk with me I would let go. As soon as I let go he started going back towards the singing Santa he had been sitting in front of for 40 minutes. I picked him up like a cord of wood and held him under my arm, and pushed Hayley in the Shopping cart to the car. As soon as everyone was safely in the car I started crying. His teacher says he's a complete Angel in school. Personally I wish he was a complete Angel at home and a monster in school. Actually I would pay good money for that!!!! I just finished the above and he had another meltdown 
HELP!!!!! 
11 more days until he goes with his Dad for the summer  |
| Marianne, thank G-d for people like you. I hope you know, there is probably a crown waiting for you in heaven! Maybe you could stash a bag o'chips in your desk, and the next time he's having a particularly good day, you could reward him for his good behavior, and the kindness he showed you during his remorse. I never in million years could have the patience you must have, and I admire you tremendously. |
| As the parent of an Autistic child let me say thank you, thank you! For all the special ed teachers of these children that "get it" and "understand". I had to learn the hard way when he was a baby how to handle meltdowns and still to this day he has them. But I could not have made it these past 18 years without the help of some very special, special ed teachers.
Bravo, well done and a huge thank you! I know you made a parent's day just a little bit easier. |
| Hi,
Thanks for all the comments! I'm also going to keep a stash of Lays potato chips in my desk along with Sponge Bob fruit snacks (another favorite.) Thanks Deb! I actually feel lucky to experience what I do daily. It's helped me with weeding out priorities in every day life, become more aware of body language and trust my intuition. Some days the communication and the conversations that ensue are incredible, like those of this particular child. Although many autistic children do live in their own worlds when they allow you in it's the most incredible experience! Their perceptions of the world are different and a glimpse into it is facinating. This child in particular loves list..and will share them with me. The most interesting people in the 20th century, the most endangered animals, the most unusual animals, the list of people whom do voice overs, the list of colors of crayola crayons since they were created , the most unusual places in the world, ...and the list goes on.  I learn so much!!
Autism is such a wide spectrum and not all children are as verbal and each is unique, each gives us a glimspe of the world in which we may have not thought about before. Pepsi's Mom and Baton Rouge you know how frustrating some days are, but at the same time you know the sun shines so bright on other days when they share their thoughts with you. A and Ed you know firsthand what I mean and it's a great experience isn't it? Thanks to everyone again for the kind comments but all the credit goes to the little ones and their parents for their daily struggles. Marianne and the boys |
I love your stories Marianne!  |
| Aw Shucks.
Glad you enjoyed the story! Marianne and the boys |
| MArianne,
You are one special lady. It takes special people like you to teach special needs children (my sister does too). Ver also worked with an Autisitic Child for 3 years as his aid. |
| I'll have to share this one with Walter when I get home... Lay's potato chips are his favorite too! |
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