expressing needs

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Home : 2003 : September : 30

expressing needs
By Young'un

I don't really have an answer for you about challenging this student, but I do want to address the pants wetting.

When I was in first grade, I wet my pants in class. I had been taught to stay in my seat unless I had permission
to be out of it. Every time I raised my hand to ask for permission to go to the bathroom, the teacher was looking down. It did not even occur to me to get up and walk over to her desk because I didn't have permission to be out of my seat! Afterward my mom had a talk with me and told me that if I ever had to go, just go and let her deal with the teacher if necessary. The thing

was, the teacher didn't say no (and probably wouldn't have); I was just afraid to get up.

My point is that sometimes the mind of a first grader is difficult to understand. Twice in one week does seem excessive, but I have to wonder what the girl is being told at home. Maybe there is more to the story.

Incidentally, I should have skipped first grade (despite the wetting accident) and eventually skipped fourth. I don't know whether this girl should skip or not, but I don't think her wetting accidents in and of themselves preclude it.

Also, maybe SHE is the one who should be tested for diabetes. Isn't incontinence a symptom of Type I diabetes, especially in children?

A note about the boy: let him mark the chart when he feels shaky (or dizzy, or whatever). If he is able to tell you when he doesn't fell well, he should be just as able to put a sticker on a chart or something. I think Cathy-Dee mentioned keeping track by subject rather than by time. Even if the boy does not know what time it is, he should know whether he is doing reading or math or whatever. (This method might reveal useful information itself--is his shakiness time-related or subject-related?)

Sorry this is so long. Good luck to you.