Re: Keanu's First Term at School

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

Can I please start by saying under the Pediatrician's advise we have medicated

Keanu to help with his aggression and anxiety, but when these are out of control

we still have very large issues with him. He may only be 4 almost 5 but his

strength and speed is unbelievable. We did try Ritalin but found it caused the

aggression to be much worse and he became unsafe around anyone. He is now on

Resperidal morning and night and at the moment we only have issues when he is

stressed.

I wish my first term this year went like that. Keanu had been involved with the

SEDU Department at 1 school since he was 18mths old. We decided to leave him at

that school at the begining of Prep this year so that he had familiar

surroundings and the Teacher Aid would be the same. As he is a runner when

under alot of stress and suffering with anxiety everyone thought this was for

the best. After the first 5 weeks of term he was a mess. He was kicking and

screaming as I got him out of the car, not settling at school - he even kicked

his aids toe so hard the toenail came clean off. When I came back of an

afternoon he would start crying and fighting me to hop in the car. Taking his

seatbelt off ( we ended up using a special harness for him which even without

the car seatbelt he is secure in his seat.

We changed schools for the remaining 6 weeks. The new school supplied 1 Teacher

aid that meets Keanu at the door of the class room and after kisses and cuddles

Keanu is taken in to do his morning routine with the aid. Once he is settled

with the class and joining in his aid is free to go to other classrooms and help

other children. She is only a phone call away if Keanu gets unsettled and needs

her to return. At his current school the children with special needs are kept

in the classroom as much as possible and helped with what everyone else is

doing. It is only when a number of them are struggling with the same work that

they are taken back to the SEU in smaller groups to work on the concept.

We start back for 2nd term on Tuesday and I am hoping that the week break has

not been to long for Keanu to forget everything we learnt at the end of first

term. We have been talking alot during the week about how many sleeps till

school goes back and I find Keanu measures time alot in Mummy days and Daddy

Days. We also started to describe the days of the week as mummy days and daddy

days and work days/school days.

I will be approaching Tuesday with a calm and positive attutide so I hope this

helps him.

>

> This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few

days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out

the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home

I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We

tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of

everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't

been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it

didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang

and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together

until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then

it was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all

again but no he knew the routine. We arrived to find the door locked so we

waited at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no

problem. I was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with

the rest of the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now

was as easy to solve.

>

> Debbie and .

[Guest guest]

Ok, I got my answer Rainey... LOL...he does take something...when you get a minute tell me at what age he started.

J

To: AutismBehaviorProblems Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 5:48:05 AMSubject: Re: Keanu's First Term at School

Hi Debbie,Can I please start by saying under the Pediatrician' s advise we have medicated Keanu to help with his aggression and anxiety, but when these are out of control we still have very large issues with him. He may only be 4 almost 5 but his strength and speed is unbelievable. We did try Ritalin but found it caused the aggression to be much worse and he became unsafe around anyone. He is now on Resperidal morning and night and at the moment we only have issues when he is stressed.I wish my first term this year went like that. Keanu had been involved with the SEDU Department at 1 school since he was 18mths old. We decided to leave him at that school at the begining of Prep this year so that he had familiar surroundings and the Teacher Aid would be the same. As he is a runner when under alot of stress and suffering with anxiety everyone thought this was for the best. After the first 5 weeks of term he was a mess. He was kicking and

screaming as I got him out of the car, not settling at school - he even kicked his aids toe so hard the toenail came clean off. When I came back of an afternoon he would start crying and fighting me to hop in the car. Taking his seatbelt off ( we ended up using a special harness for him which even without the car seatbelt he is secure in his seat.We changed schools for the remaining 6 weeks. The new school supplied 1 Teacher aid that meets Keanu at the door of the class room and after kisses and cuddles Keanu is taken in to do his morning routine with the aid. Once he is settled with the class and joining in his aid is free to go to other classrooms and help other children. She is only a phone call away if Keanu gets unsettled and needs her to return. At his current school the children with special needs are kept in the classroom as much as possible and helped with what everyone else is doing. It is only when a number of them are struggling with

the same work that they are taken back to the SEU in smaller groups to work on the concept.We start back for 2nd term on Tuesday and I am hoping that the week break has not been to long for Keanu to forget everything we learnt at the end of first term. We have been talking alot during the week about how many sleeps till school goes back and I find Keanu measures time alot in Mummy days and Daddy Days. We also started to describe the days of the week as mummy days and daddy days and work days/school days.I will be approaching Tuesday with a calm and positive attutide so I hope this helps him. >> This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few days

his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all again but no he knew the routine. We arrived to find the door locked so we waited at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I was ecstatic, and so it

happened that each morning he went in with the rest of the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to solve.> > Debbie and .

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie and ,

Our first day back for the term was awesome. Keanu had a little fuss over

getting dressed and as the mornings are cooler now I brought out his school

jumper and named it (not the way he wanted). This soon past and he got dressed

for school.

He is second last drop off as my kids all go to different schools for variour

reasons. So it was really great that he just got out of car and walked in to

greet his teacher aid.

We as yet have not come across any problems in the school playground. We have

more issues atdaycare pick up/home towards his little sister. He will often

push her over, hit her, sit on her or pull her hands behind her back and hold

tight. We are currently using simple words and redirection. eg. " Keanu Hands

Down " (pause while physically holding his hands by his side approx 10 seconds so

the message gets through to his brain) " No

.......(Hitting/Pushing/Holding/Squashing) (Then we turn him in opposite

direction and redirect him to a new activity) " Keanu go and ride your bike. "

When Keanu goes off and does the new activity we praise him for his good

listening and acknowledge the new activity in some way. eg. " That was great

listening and you are riding very fast. "

This strategy could be addapted for the school play ground but would need

someone to be close at hand all the time.

We have now worked with Keanu so that we only need to give the Hands Down and

Keanu will often move on to another activity on his own or just release his

sister and continue with the game.

I hope this might be of some use.

Rainey

> >

> > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few

days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out the

front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home I

thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We

tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of

everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't

been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it

didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang

and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together

until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it

was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all

again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited

at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I

was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of

the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to

solve.

> >

> > Debbie and .

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rainey,

So glad things went well, I forgot you are in Qld and your holidays are slightly out from ours (we go back next Wednesday). Unfortunately 's teachers aid does not extend to the playground and by the time the teacher on duty is alerted to the problem the damage is already done. In fact the last two weeks I spent more time at the school than I did at home just trying to keep him on task but then 2 minutes after I left he was back to his old tricks again, rolling on the floor, being noisy etc. Not even his teachers aid can calm him. All I do is go to him, give him a cuddle and sit him down and listen to him, I just don't understand why he can't seem to talk to anyone else.

It's so good that it's all come together for you, keep up the good work I hope all your school days are as good as this first day back.

Debbie and - Sydney

Re: Keanu's First Term at School

Hi Debbie and ,Our first day back for the term was awesome. Keanu had a little fuss over getting dressed and as the mornings are cooler now I brought out his school jumper and named it (not the way he wanted). This soon past and he got dressed for school. He is second last drop off as my kids all go to different schools for variour reasons. So it was really great that he just got out of car and walked in to greet his teacher aid.We as yet have not come across any problems in the school playground. We have more issues atdaycare pick up/home towards his little sister. He will often push her over, hit her, sit on her or pull her hands behind her back and hold tight. We are currently using simple words and redirection. eg. "Keanu Hands Down" (pause while physically holding his hands by his side approx 10 seconds so the message gets through to his brain) "No ......(Hitting/Pushing/Holding/Squashing) (Then we turn him in opposite direction and redirect him to a new activity) "Keanu go and ride your bike." When Keanu goes off and does the new activity we praise him for his good listening and acknowledge the new activity in some way. eg. "That was great listening and you are riding very fast."This strategy could be addapted for the school play ground but would need someone to be close at hand all the time. We have now worked with Keanu so that we only need to give the Hands Down and Keanu will often move on to another activity on his own or just release his sister and continue with the game.I hope this might be of some use. Rainey> >> > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to solve.> > > > Debbie and .>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie & ,

When I got back to pick Keanu up this afternoon his teacher informed me he had

an awesome day. The class had all helped to move everything around (except

Keanu, who watched from the sidelines). His teacher waited until after 1st

break and then after taking Keanu by the hand and walking him from area to area

and telling him where it was being moved to the rest of the class started.

Keanu was so excited to show it all to me when I came back at 2.45pm.

Keanu only has his aid for 30-45 mins each morning until he starts to join in

with his class mates. Should Keanu start to have issues she is only a phone

call away and will return immediately (this has so far not been required).

At playtime then entire school Prep-7 are all out playing together. All the

special need kids that require a little extra support during break time wear a

red hat. There are to SEU teachers on duty everyday and the red hats are their

responsibility.

It is a shame that 's teacher aids are not able to support him during

break time.

There was a period of time last year when Keanu was at Pre-Prep at the SEDU that

I was being called back to remove him for the day. Instead of removing him I

took the tuff love approach. I just walked into the room and would not give him

a cuddle or a kiss just took his hand walked to the closest table and chair and

sat him down and asked what all the nonsence was about. Poor Keanu didn't no if

he should continue to cry and scream or start the activities. I just put each

activity in front of him and made him complete each one. When he had finished

he was then allowed to go back and join all the other kids. Poor love he missed

out on playing outside. The best thing to come out of that day was he never

played up during activity time again.

Now that I re read it, it makes me sound very horrible, but I knew if I took him

home early that day I would be rewarding the bad behaviour. Going home to be

with me was exactly what he wanted. By making him stay & complete the

activities made him understand that no matter who tells him to glue the picture

to the page he must do it.

When it was time to go home I left the class room and waited outside with all

the other parents and made him come out and invite me inside to pick him up

(That way it put closure to the day with a huge pick up time kiss and cuddle).

Will keep you posted with how this week pans out for Keanu. I hope when

returns to school it is yet again a great experience for him.

Rainey

> > >

> > > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first

few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out

the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home

I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We

tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of

everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't

been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it

didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang

and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together

until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it

was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all

again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited

at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I

was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of

the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to

solve.

> > >

> > > Debbie and .

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Rainey,

You don't sound horrible but like a good loving mother who knows her child. It is so interesting that our kids are so alike and so different. was the same at school in the beginning and they were a little lost back then (5 years ago). They would call me when he was having a bad day and say they think he is sick... I would come to school and sit with him and make him do the work he was refusing and then stay until the end of class in the room. The teachers finally got it and started imitating me LOL! and working with him differently. Now his new school gets it and he works very well. It is still hard as there really doesn't seem to be a place for him. is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum so he almost falls through the cracks. He cannot be in a reg ed room as he is too far behind and the room is to distracting, but the special ed room is way beneath his skill levels and really a

lot of the day would be wasted on things he already knows. There isn't an autism school in the area and this school is wonderful, they pull him out for one on one direction many hours a day as well as specials and OT/SP so he is hardly in the room but I really hope we can come up with something this summer (we are meeting again) to figure out where he should be. I'm really glad Keanu is doing well at school. His school sounds great, Kellie

To: AutismBehaviorProblems Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 6:38:02 AMSubject: Re: Keanu's First Term at School

Hi Debbie & ,When I got back to pick Keanu up this afternoon his teacher informed me he had an awesome day. The class had all helped to move everything around (except Keanu, who watched from the sidelines). His teacher waited until after 1st break and then after taking Keanu by the hand and walking him from area to area and telling him where it was being moved to the rest of the class started. Keanu was so excited to show it all to me when I came back at 2.45pm.Keanu only has his aid for 30-45 mins each morning until he starts to join in with his class mates. Should Keanu start to have issues she is only a phone call away and will return immediately (this has so far not been required).At playtime then entire school Prep-7 are all out playing together. All the special need kids that require a little extra support during break time wear a red hat. There are to SEU teachers on duty everyday and the red hats are their

responsibility.It is a shame that 's teacher aids are not able to support him during break time. There was a period of time last year when Keanu was at Pre-Prep at the SEDU that I was being called back to remove him for the day. Instead of removing him I took the tuff love approach. I just walked into the room and would not give him a cuddle or a kiss just took his hand walked to the closest table and chair and sat him down and asked what all the nonsence was about. Poor Keanu didn't no if he should continue to cry and scream or start the activities. I just put each activity in front of him and made him complete each one. When he had finished he was then allowed to go back and join all the other kids. Poor love he missed out on playing outside. The best thing to come out of that day was he never played up during activity time again.Now that I re read it, it makes me sound very horrible, but I knew if I took him home early

that day I would be rewarding the bad behaviour. Going home to be with me was exactly what he wanted. By making him stay & complete the activities made him understand that no matter who tells him to glue the picture to the page he must do it.When it was time to go home I left the class room and waited outside with all the other parents and made him come out and invite me inside to pick him up (That way it put closure to the day with a huge pick up time kiss and cuddle).Will keep you posted with how this week pans out for Keanu. I hope when returns to school it is yet again a great experience for him.Rainey > > >> > > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out the front of my

home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of the class. If only some of the

problems we are going through now was as easy to solve.> > > > > > Debbie and .> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie & ,

The school that Keanu attends is a mainstream school that has a very long and

well set up Special Ed Unit. The unit is very large and caters for all the

special need children in all grades. The unit has 2 rooms, one is in their own

building that caters for 2-3 group teaching sessions as well as some one on one,

it also houses the eating area for staff that feel they don't mind sharing lunch

time with students coming in with issues from the playground. As it was

explained to me if the staff wanted a student free lunch break they could join

the rest of the teaching staff in the staff lunch room. The other room is in

the building opposite across the Hand ball courts. There is one class room

split into 2 teaching arears with a laundry attached. As the students get older

they are taught to use both arears and often run errands for the unit staff

between facilities.

The different coloured hats are used to identify for the teaching staff only

that when something goes wrong in the playground they usually run (even outside

the grounds to get away from the stress/mistake they made). The rule is if the

red hat is in an area that is out of bounds that child is in trouble (has had a

situation in the playground that they may not be able to cope with) and the

Special need Aids are to go to that student and help them. There is one child

that was so affected by the red hat (could not cope with wearing a hat that was

not part of the school uniform) that his Mum made him a red vest that he wears

over his shirt instead. This vest is now a part of this childs uniform and is

worn all day.

I have not had any experience at this school with bullying as yet. All Keanu's

class mates appear to be trying to get Keanu to be involved in their play and

there is the odd occassion that he will play alongside them and appear to have

joined in because he is copying what they are doing. The last school he was at

for the first 5 weeks of term 1 may have been different. I was unaware of any

bullying but Keanu's experience there nearly destroyed any hope we had for him

to remain mainstream schooled after this year.

An interesting incident happened at the airport on Tuesday afternoon when we

took Keanu to show him what will be happening on Saturday when we fly to

Brisbane. A little boy from his old school was there to meet one of the planes

that landed. Keanu went straight up to him and for no reason went to punch and

kick him. I just got to him in time. (I have no idea what was running through

his mind. All I could do was insist Hands and Feet down and redirect Keanu to

what we were there to see.)

Keanu had another good day today. He was very excited to arrive at school as we

had car trouble this morning and he was a little late. His aid was faithfully

waiting for him to do his morning jobs and go over to parade.

Rainey

> > > >

> > > > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first

few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out

the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home

I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We

tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of

everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't

been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it

didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang

and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together

until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it

was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all

again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited

at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I

was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of

the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to

solve.

> > > >

> > > > Debbie and .

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie & ,

The school that Keanu attends is a mainstream school that has a very long and

well set up Special Ed Unit. The unit is very large and caters for all the

special need children in all grades. The unit has 2 rooms, one is in their own

building that caters for 2-3 group teaching sessions as well as some one on one,

it also houses the eating area for staff that feel they don't mind sharing lunch

time with students coming in with issues from the playground. As it was

explained to me if the staff wanted a student free lunch break they could join

the rest of the teaching staff in the staff lunch room. The other room is in

the building opposite across the Hand ball courts. There is one class room

split into 2 teaching arears with a laundry attached. As the students get older

they are taught to use both arears and often run errands for the unit staff

between facilities.

The different coloured hats are used to identify for the teaching staff only

that when something goes wrong in the playground they usually run (even outside

the grounds to get away from the stress/mistake they made). The rule is if the

red hat is in an area that is out of bounds that child is in trouble (has had a

situation in the playground that they may not be able to cope with) and the

Special need Aids are to go to that student and help them. There is one child

that was so affected by the red hat (could not cope with wearing a hat that was

not part of the school uniform) that his Mum made him a red vest that he wears

over his shirt instead. This vest is now a part of this childs uniform and is

worn all day.

I have not had any experience at this school with bullying as yet. All Keanu's

class mates appear to be trying to get Keanu to be involved in their play and

there is the odd occassion that he will play alongside them and appear to have

joined in because he is copying what they are doing. The last school he was at

for the first 5 weeks of term 1 may have been different. I was unaware of any

bullying but Keanu's experience there nearly destroyed any hope we had for him

to remain mainstream schooled after this year.

An interesting incident happened at the airport on Tuesday afternoon when we

took Keanu to show him what will be happening on Saturday when we fly to

Brisbane. A little boy from his old school was there to meet one of the planes

that landed. Keanu went straight up to him and for no reason went to punch and

kick him. I just got to him in time. (I have no idea what was running through

his mind. All I could do was insist Hands and Feet down and redirect Keanu to

what we were there to see.)

Keanu had another good day today. He was very excited to arrive at school as we

had car trouble this morning and he was a little late. His aid was faithfully

waiting for him to do his morning jobs and go over to parade.

Rainey

> > > >

> > > > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first

few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out

the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home

I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We

tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of

everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't

been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it

didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang

and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together

until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it

was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all

again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited

at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I

was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of

the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to

solve.

> > > >

> > > > Debbie and .

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Rainey, You are very lucky to have a school like that. I am thinking that I should investigate the other schools in my area to see if any of them have a Special Ed Unit. 's teacher has dealt with kids Asbergers in the past but even using all her skills still can't seem to get to behave in the classroom. She tried taking him to the office to do his work which he sat quietly and completed all his work fine there but as soon as he got back in the classroom he became disruptive and noisy again. It seems like he is choosing to be disruptive yet when asked if there is a particular sound he doesn't know. I just feel like not enough is being done to help him and I'm at a loss what else we can do.

Glad to hear the good days are continuing even with a little hiccup, that's progress.

Debbie.

Re: Keanu's First Term at School

Hi Debbie & ,The school that Keanu attends is a mainstream school that has a very long and well set up Special Ed Unit. The unit is very large and caters for all the special need children in all grades. The unit has 2 rooms, one is in their own building that caters for 2-3 group teaching sessions as well as some one on one, it also houses the eating area for staff that feel they don't mind sharing lunch time with students coming in with issues from the playground. As it was explained to me if the staff wanted a student free lunch break they could join the rest of the teaching staff in the staff lunch room. The other room is in the building opposite across the Hand ball courts. There is one class room split into 2 teaching arears with a laundry attached. As the students get older they are taught to use both arears and often run errands for the unit staff between facilities. The different coloured hats are used to identify for the teaching staff only that when something goes wrong in the playground they usually run (even outside the grounds to get away from the stress/mistake they made). The rule is if the red hat is in an area that is out of bounds that child is in trouble (has had a situation in the playground that they may not be able to cope with) and the Special need Aids are to go to that student and help them. There is one child that was so affected by the red hat (could not cope with wearing a hat that was not part of the school uniform) that his Mum made him a red vest that he wears over his shirt instead. This vest is now a part of this childs uniform and is worn all day.I have not had any experience at this school with bullying as yet. All Keanu's class mates appear to be trying to get Keanu to be involved in their play and there is the odd occassion that he will play alongside them and appear to have joined in because he is copying what they are doing. The last school he was at for the first 5 weeks of term 1 may have been different. I was unaware of any bullying but Keanu's experience there nearly destroyed any hope we had for him to remain mainstream schooled after this year.An interesting incident happened at the airport on Tuesday afternoon when we took Keanu to show him what will be happening on Saturday when we fly to Brisbane. A little boy from his old school was there to meet one of the planes that landed. Keanu went straight up to him and for no reason went to punch and kick him. I just got to him in time. (I have no idea what was running through his mind. All I could do was insist Hands and Feet down and redirect Keanu to what we were there to see.)Keanu had another good day today. He was very excited to arrive at school as we had car trouble this morning and he was a little late. His aid was faithfully waiting for him to do his morning jobs and go over to parade.Rainey > > > >> > > > This brought back memories of 's first term at school. The first few days his teacher had to drag him up the stairs into the classroom. I sat out the front of my home every morning until about 11am waiting for him to come home I thought for sure that he would just get up and come home, but he didn't. We tried everything including a book the teacher put together showing pictures of everyone being happy that he was at school. Mind you at this stage he hadn't been diagnosed. I know now that this book was an elaborate social story, but it didn't work. Finally, I would take him into the classroom before the bell rang and go through the usual routine and sit down with him and read a book together until the bell went. Then I would leave him there as the class went in. Then it was school holidays and I honestly thought we would have to go through it all again but no he knew the routine We arrived to find the door locked so we waited at the bottom of the stairs and when the bell went we walked in no problem. I was ecstatic, and so it happened that each morning he went in with the rest of the class. If only some of the problems we are going through now was as easy to solve.> > > > > > > > Debbie and .> > >> >>