a question for Kent

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/27/2001 8:17:50 AM Central Daylight Time,

momtothree@... writes:

> My biggest concern is " how is

> that teaching him to stay put? " and it really makes him stand out from the

> other kids. His IEP/ARD is in a couple of weeks. Do you have any

> suggestions on how to teach him to sit until his class is called to leave

> the cafeteria?

I'm not Kent, but I wouldn't let them strap to a chair....instead I'd

insist they provide the support she needs.

I'm not really positive, but from my understanding is once he's on that bus

he is the schools responsiblity. (at least I always told them so when

was being really bad on the bus, and they never really said no, lol) So

when he's sitting in this room he's there responsibilty and strapping a kid

to a chair stinks. Heck they don't even like adults strapped into their

wheel chairs anymore unless theres a big safetly reason to do so. I'd request

an aide be assigned to watch him, maybe keep him occupied....I mean 30 min

sitting on the floor doing nothing? ugh.. :-)

good luck

Joy

[Guest guest]

<< but I wouldn't let them strap to a chair....instead I'd

insist they provide the support she needs.

I'm not really positive, but from my understanding is once he's on that bus

he is the schools responsiblity >>

In our district, the school is responsible from " Portal to Portal " which

means from when he leaves my house til when he returns to my house. That is

why at the IEP's they always have to ask if I want a bus to pick him up..and

we live right across the street from the school.

I think it is also important to remember that although our children are

Chronologically one age, developmentally they usually aren't that age. The

expectation for any 5 yr old to sit still that long is wrong not to mention a

child with ds.

is just beginning his academica career... now is the time to set them

straight that his expectations WILL NOT be that of his typical peers, whether

it be sitting still or learning to read. Not that he shouldn't have

expectations and not that he might not be able to do what the rest of the

class is doing, but you must teach them to be realistic and to treat him as

an INDIVIDUAL right now.

This might also be a good time to put Positive Behavior Management Training

in the IEP.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kent,

Since you seem to be the resident expert on behavior for the list

I thought I would get your opinion/suggestions on a situation with my son.

He is 5 yrs old..(just this month). He attends the early childhood class at

our public school. Here's the problem. In the mornings the kids sit in

rows in the cafeteria till the bell rings. Well, last year, kept

getting up and going into the kitchen. There are only 2 teachers on morning

duty there and he would get away from them and head straight for the

kitchen. So they started strapping him in a small chair...away from the

other kids. Last year I was ok with that...I wanted him safe and the kitchen

is a dangerous place for him to go. What I didn't realize is that they are

still doing it this year. When he rides the bus he is strapped in that

chair for almost 30 minutes. When I found out that this was still happening

I started bringing him to school right before the bell rings so the time

spent in the chair is only a few minutes. My biggest concern is " how is

that teaching him to stay put? " and it really makes him stand out from the

other kids. His IEP/ARD is in a couple of weeks. Do you have any

suggestions on how to teach him to sit until his class is called to leave

the cafeteria? I would like some good suggestions to use at his ARD because

I am not going to allow him to be strapped to a chair again next year, but I

do want him to be safe and stay out of the kitchen.

Thanks for any ideas/suggestions you may have for me.

Robicheaux, mom to 5 yrs.

[Guest guest]

momtothree@... writes:

>Hi Kent,

>Since you seem to be the resident expert on behavior for the

>list

>I thought I would get your opinion/suggestions on a situation with my son.

>

>He is 5 yrs old..(just this month). He attends the early childhood class

>at

>our public school. Here's the problem. In the mornings the kids sit in

>rows in the cafeteria till the bell rings. Well, last year, kept

>getting up and going into the kitchen. There are only 2 teachers on

>morning

>duty there and he would get away from them and head straight for the

>kitchen. So they started strapping him in a small chair...away from the

>other kids. Last year I was ok with that...I wanted him safe and the

>kitchen

>is a dangerous place for him to go. What I didn't realize is that they

>are

>still doing it this year. When he rides the bus he is strapped in that

>chair for almost 30 minutes. When I found out that this was still

>happening

>I started bringing him to school right before the bell rings so the time

>spent in the chair is only a few minutes. My biggest concern is " how is

>that teaching him to stay put? " and it really makes him stand out from the

>other kids. His IEP/ARD is in a couple of weeks. Do you have any

>suggestions on how to teach him to sit until his class is called to leave

>the cafeteria? I would like some good suggestions to use at his ARD

>because

>I am not going to allow him to be strapped to a chair again next year,

>but I

>do want him to be safe and stay out of the kitchen.

>

>Thanks for any ideas/suggestions you may have for me.

>

> Robicheaux, mom to 5 yrs.

Hi!

This is terribley disturbing and very, very illegal. Although i am not a

lawyer, I feel somewhat safe in saying that if you wish, you could have a

huge suit on your hands! I'm not advocating that you do that but, it

gives you some very nice leverage should they try to give you trouble.

That being said, they need to stop immediately. An IEP, needs to be held

ASAP and a request for a Functional Assessment needs to be made. In

addition to requesting the Functional Assessment, agree on a reasonable

deadline (in writing) by which the Functional Assessment must be

completed. The Functional Assessment should included data, which

describes the behavior in terms of rate, the antecedents (what happens

before the behavior), the consequences, a reinforcer survey,

recomendations for skills which are functionally equivalent (i.e. what can

they teach him that will get his needs met in an appropriate manner. If

he is running to the kitchen because he gets attention, then teaching him

to say " come here please " would be a functionally equivalent skill

provided of course they come when he calls them.). Most importantly, the

Functional Assessment must be presented in the form of a written report

(very important in terms of consistency and accountability). In the

interim, if they need to have an aide to come in just for that time to

ensure that there is adequate coverage, that's what they need to do.

Also, make sure the person doing the assessment actually knows what the

hell they are doing! Sad but true.

Once the assessment is done, send me a copy and I'll give you feedback.

Take care,

Kent