Other Ideas

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Home : 2002 : October : 22

Other Ideas
By ALPC

BLS,

You need to document exactly what occurred. I would review his IEP to make sure you are doing what is stated in his IEP. In my experience being a special education teacher I have written similar incidents on a discipline
referral because that is one of my negative consequences. Then the principal, parent, and I meet to discuss an appropriate consequence.
I would contact the student's case manager. The case manager needs to hold an IEP meeting as soon as possible to determine if the child's behavior in this most recent incident is related to his disability. You need to be part of this meeting

since it appears you are observing these behaviors. If not related to his disability, then he needs to receive negative consequences as would a regular (nondisabled) child for his physically aggression. If it is related to his disability, then there needs to be a behavior plan/program developed and implemented. It may be a trigger in the classroom environment, an incident prior to coming to your class, etc. that may be the cause of these behaviors. If he is taking any medication, then his doctor may need to be inform of what is happening.
At this time he may be inappropriately placed in your classroom or needs to have an assistant with him while he is in your room. The easy answer is to remove him but for every child you need to look at what is best for him or her.
You need to keep in mind children even the mentally disabled act out for various reasons and a call home by you may be in order. You may be surprise what is going on in this child's life which may explain the aggression. Other individuals to speak to are the school counselor and school psychologist.
Although I have never been pregnant I have experienced physically aggressive students where I ended "flat on the floor," biten, etc. I was shaken up and I am trained to deal with these behaviors. I could not imagined being pregnant and in a similar situation. It is tough but you need to stay as calm as possible. He is probably sensing your frustration which is creating more behaviors from him. He may feel out of control because he senses your frustration. You need to keep up your guard but please make him feel part of the class. My ED students who have been physically aggressive toward me do return to my class. I can't exclude them because of what they did to other students or me. I am usually the only one who cares for them.
I hope this help and your unborn child and you are in my thoughts and prayers.