Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Debi, Does he still have an IEP in this school? If so then call for an IEP meeting immediately. Brainstorm about ideas to keep him calm on the bus like music, small objects for him to fiddle with, a weighted blanket, lots of positive reinforcers, a "buddy" to sit with him just anything that will work. Make sure to have anything you come up with written into the IEP. Also be sure to have any consequences for his negative behaviors clearly spelled out with restraints of any kind being the last resort. If he is that vehement about the harness his behavior will only worsen (or he will begin to withdraw) every time he has to be strapped in. Don't delay. oh one last thing DOCCUMENT everything if you are not already. in WI Bus dilemma Hi Everyone,I need to vent for just a few minutes because I am really upset about something. started his new school on Monday. It is an excellent school for special ed students focusing mainly on autistic spectrum kids. He is doing great at the school and loves it.Here is the problem. The school is about 30 miles away. He spends nearly an hour on the bus each way. When we decided to try this school, I mentioned a number of times that I was very concerned about the bus ride and how he would handle it. Well sure enough, today he had a problem on the bus. There was another boy who kept looking at him funny. That drives nuts. hit the boy with his hands, and then with his backpack. The bus aide (the ride is so long they have an aide ride on the bus with the kids) tried to take the backpack away from him and he went in to a full meltdown. The aide talked to me when he dropped off this afternoon. He wants to wear a harness so he can not move around and get to the other kids.I know this is for his safety and that of the other kids and I agreed with the aide to put it on him tomorrow. But, when I got inside the house and talked to about it, he went ballistic. He does not want to wear it. Again, I told him it was for his own safety and if he proves he can behave on the bus, he won't have to wear it anymore, which is what the aide and I agreed on. But now he is saying if he has to ride the bus, he does not want to go to this school. He calmed down some later and I will put it on him in the morning........ But I just have this huge pit in my stomach. I want this school to work out so bad because I know it will be good for , but ever since we decided to try it, I have been worried about this bus ride. He has never done well on the bus. We had to take him off it before. I was hoping that since this bus had an aide, it would help. I just don't know what we will do if this does not work out. There is not a good option at the public school because they have no programs for high-functioning autistic kids, just the low functioning ones. He has been in a special day class the last two years, but that class moves at such a slow pace he is falling far behind his age peers. is extremely bright (IQ 119) so he gets bored and starts to act out in the slower classes. That is not good for any of the students. And besides I want to learn as much as he is capable of. He loves the school itself and has been getting great reports about how he is doing there. It is just that d#$@ bus ride!!!!!Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better. I will put the harness on him in the morning and hope for the best. Hopefully, he will only have to wear it a few times and he will learn his lesson and hold his temper on the bus!Debi in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Hi Debi.... We had 'bus troubles' too when my daughter was in 7th grade. I ended up taking her in every morning and she did ride i home but it was very challenging. Then things went from bad to worse and she hardly rode the bus at all because she wasn't attending school...anyway, when she was placed in private education for this past year, she had to ride a bus for an hour each way like your son. There is an aide on the bus too. There are only 6 kids or so on the bus, which is so nice. She goes in and almost always sits in the same seat, and always puts her walkman with headphones on right away. That helps her tremendously. As I read your email, I can empathize so much with you. Been there done that. It's so challenging to 'convince' our kids to do what they need to do. Good luck. Toodles!>^..^<Maralee Bus dilemma Hi Everyone,I need to vent for just a few minutes because I am really upset about something. started his new school on Monday. It is an excellent school for special ed students focusing mainly on autistic spectrum kids. He is doing great at the school and loves it.Here is the problem. The school is about 30 miles away. He spends nearly an hour on the bus each way. When we decided to try this school, I mentioned a number of times that I was very concerned about the bus ride and how he would handle it. Well sure enough, today he had a problem on the bus. There was another boy who kept looking at him funny. That drives nuts. hit the boy with his hands, and then with his backpack. The bus aide (the ride is so long they have an aide ride on the bus with the kids) tried to take the backpack away from him and he went in to a full meltdown. The aide talked to me when he dropped off this afternoon. He wants to wear a harness so he can not move around and get to the other kids.I know this is for his safety and that of the other kids and I agreed with the aide to put it on him tomorrow. But, when I got inside the house and talked to about it, he went ballistic. He does not want to wear it. Again, I told him it was for his own safety and if he proves he can behave on the bus, he won't have to wear it anymore, which is what the aide and I agreed on. But now he is saying if he has to ride the bus, he does not want to go to this school. He calmed down some later and I will put it on him in the morning........ But I just have this huge pit in my stomach. I want this school to work out so bad because I know it will be good for , but ever since we decided to try it, I have been worried about this bus ride. He has never done well on the bus. We had to take him off it before. I was hoping that since this bus had an aide, it would help. I just don't know what we will do if this does not work out. There is not a good option at the public school because they have no programs for high-functioning autistic kids, just the low functioning ones. He has been in a special day class the last two years, but that class moves at such a slow pace he is falling far behind his age peers. is extremely bright (IQ 119) so he gets bored and starts to act out in the slower classes. That is not good for any of the students. And besides I want to learn as much as he is capable of. He loves the school itself and has been getting great reports about how he is doing there. It is just that d#$@ bus ride!!!!!Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better. I will put the harness on him in the morning and hope for the best. Hopefully, he will only have to wear it a few times and he will learn his lesson and hold his temper on the bus!Debi in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Yes, he still has an IEP. If things don't improve very soon, I will call another IEP. When we had the transition meeting to start this school I mentioned my concerns and they all assured me they would do whatever they could to make the transportation work. I plan to hold them to that!!!! Debi > Debi, > > Does he still have an IEP in this school? If so then call for an IEP meeting immediately. Brainstorm about ideas to keep him calm on the bus like music, small objects for him to fiddle with, a weighted blanket, lots of positive reinforcers, a " buddy " to sit with him just anything that will work. Make sure to have anything you come up with written into the IEP. Also be sure to have any consequences for his negative behaviors clearly spelled out with restraints of any kind being the last resort. If he is that vehement about the harness his behavior will only worsen (or he will begin to withdraw) every time he has to be strapped in. Don't delay. oh one last thing DOCCUMENT everything if you are not already. > > in WI > Bus dilemma > > > Hi Everyone, > > I need to vent for just a few minutes because I am really upset > about something. started his new school on Monday. It is an > excellent school for special ed students focusing mainly on > autistic spectrum kids. He is doing great at the school and loves > it. > > Here is the problem. The school is about 30 miles away. He spends > nearly an hour on the bus each way. When we decided to try this > school, I mentioned a number of times that I was very concerned > about the bus ride and how he would handle it. Well sure enough, > today he had a problem on the bus. There was another boy who kept > looking at him funny. That drives nuts. hit the boy > with his hands, and then with his backpack. The bus aide (the ride > is so long they have an aide ride on the bus with the kids) tried > to take the backpack away from him and he went in to a full > meltdown. The aide talked to me when he dropped off this > afternoon. He wants to wear a harness so he can not move > around and get to the other kids. > > I know this is for his safety and that of the other kids and I > agreed with the aide to put it on him tomorrow. But, when I got > inside the house and talked to about it, he went ballistic. > He does not want to wear it. Again, I told him it was for his own > safety and if he proves he can behave on the bus, he won't have to > wear it anymore, which is what the aide and I agreed on. But now he > is saying if he has to ride the bus, he does not want to go to this > school. He calmed down some later and I will put it on him in the > morning........ > > But I just have this huge pit in my stomach. I want this school to > work out so bad because I know it will be good for , but ever > since we decided to try it, I have been worried about this bus > ride. He has never done well on the bus. We had to take him off it > before. I was hoping that since this bus had an aide, it would > help. I just don't know what we will do if this does not work out. > There is not a good option at the public school because they have no > programs for high-functioning autistic kids, just the low > functioning ones. He has been in a special day class the last two > years, but that class moves at such a slow pace he is falling far > behind his age peers. is extremely bright (IQ 119) so he gets > bored and starts to act out in the slower classes. That is not good > for any of the students. And besides I want to learn as much > as he is capable of. He loves the school itself and has been > getting great reports about how he is doing there. It is just that > d#$@ bus ride!!!!! > > Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better. I will > put the harness on him in the morning and hope for the best. > Hopefully, he will only have to wear it a few times and he will > learn his lesson and hold his temper on the bus! > > Debi in San Diego > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Thanks Maralee. I have been so stressed about this transition. Last year was just a nightmare at school and I don't want to go through that again. When I first started looking at private schools, each one had something wrong with it. The first school I really liked, but they would not take him because he was too young. The next school I hated. The third school he was too high functioning. Finally, I went to visit this school. I was all ready to not like it because it was so far away. but from the moment I walked it I could tell this was a place could thrive in. Everything is individualized. They have all kinds of extra activities like swimming and horseback riding. I really want this to work!!!!!! I jsut wish it was closer. Maybe we should move to Oceanside....... Debi > Hi Debi.... > We had 'bus troubles' too when my daughter was in 7th grade. I ended up taking her in every morning and she did ride i home but it was very challenging. Then things went from bad to worse and she hardly rode the bus at all because she wasn't attending school...anyway, when she was placed in private education for this past year, she had to ride a bus for an hour each way like your son. There is an aide on the bus too. There are only 6 kids or so on the bus, which is so nice. She goes in and almost always sits in the same seat, and always puts her walkman with headphones on right away. That helps her tremendously. > > As I read your email, I can empathize so much with you. Been there done that. It's so challenging to 'convince' our kids to do what they need to do. Good luck. > Toodles! > >^..^< > Maralee > Bus dilemma > > > Hi Everyone, > > I need to vent for just a few minutes because I am really upset > about something. started his new school on Monday. It is an > excellent school for special ed students focusing mainly on > autistic spectrum kids. He is doing great at the school and loves > it. > > Here is the problem. The school is about 30 miles away. He spends > nearly an hour on the bus each way. When we decided to try this > school, I mentioned a number of times that I was very concerned > about the bus ride and how he would handle it. Well sure enough, > today he had a problem on the bus. There was another boy who kept > looking at him funny. That drives nuts. hit the boy > with his hands, and then with his backpack. The bus aide (the ride > is so long they have an aide ride on the bus with the kids) tried > to take the backpack away from him and he went in to a full > meltdown. The aide talked to me when he dropped off this > afternoon. He wants to wear a harness so he can not move > around and get to the other kids. > > I know this is for his safety and that of the other kids and I > agreed with the aide to put it on him tomorrow. But, when I got > inside the house and talked to about it, he went ballistic. > He does not want to wear it. Again, I told him it was for his own > safety and if he proves he can behave on the bus, he won't have to > wear it anymore, which is what the aide and I agreed on. But now he > is saying if he has to ride the bus, he does not want to go to this > school. He calmed down some later and I will put it on him in the > morning........ > > But I just have this huge pit in my stomach. I want this school to > work out so bad because I know it will be good for , but ever > since we decided to try it, I have been worried about this bus > ride. He has never done well on the bus. We had to take him off it > before. I was hoping that since this bus had an aide, it would > help. I just don't know what we will do if this does not work out. > There is not a good option at the public school because they have no > programs for high-functioning autistic kids, just the low > functioning ones. He has been in a special day class the last two > years, but that class moves at such a slow pace he is falling far > behind his age peers. is extremely bright (IQ 119) so he gets > bored and starts to act out in the slower classes. That is not good > for any of the students. And besides I want to learn as much > as he is capable of. He loves the school itself and has been > getting great reports about how he is doing there. It is just that > d#$@ bus ride!!!!! > > Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better. I will > put the harness on him in the morning and hope for the best. > Hopefully, he will only have to wear it a few times and he will > learn his lesson and hold his temper on the bus! > > Debi in San Diego > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Hi Debi, Would it be possible for your son to go to school in a taxi? This is what happens in England for some who travel to school and cannot cope with a bus. It is paid for by the local education authority. in England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 When my son was in middle school, he attended a special school & also had a long bus ride there & back. 1st of all, if at all possible, claim the seat directly behind the driver as your son's. Your child will be facing away from the other kids, & so be less likely to be drawn into their " mischief " . He will probably feel more secure there too, sitting close to the adult in charge. The bus driver will be able to keep an eye on him thru the mirrors; your son & all the other kids will know this too. The bullies & troublemakers tend to stay as far away from the bus driver as they can, and therefore away from your son too. You MUST make sure your son always has plenty to keep him busy while on the bus; small things that fit easily in the backpack. My son loved to read, so it was easy to keep a few novels there to absorb him. Also, try a walkman with headphones, but be careful & selective in your choice of music. Anything with too much of a drumbeat will be too stimulating & counter-productive. I recommend classical music. You can get cheap CDs that have a variety of it on 1 or 2 CDs, though if your son finds he really likes it you'll want at least a few more. Classical music has a calming effect, but enough variety in individual pieces to keep interest. We found that listening to classical music on the bus not only kept my son out of trouble there, it improved his behavior & performance when he got to school. Good luck! > Hi Everyone, > > I need to vent for just a few minutes because I am really upset > about something. started his new school on Monday. It is an > excellent school for special ed students focusing mainly on > autistic spectrum kids. He is doing great at the school and loves > it. > > Here is the problem. The school is about 30 miles away. He spends > nearly an hour on the bus each way. When we decided to try this > school, I mentioned a number of times that I was very concerned > about the bus ride and how he would handle it. Well sure enough, > today he had a problem on the bus. There was another boy who kept > looking at him funny. That drives nuts. hit the boy > with his hands, and then with his backpack. The bus aide (the ride > is so long they have an aide ride on the bus with the kids) tried > to take the backpack away from him and he went in to a full > meltdown. The aide talked to me when he dropped off this > afternoon. He wants to wear a harness so he can not move > around and get to the other kids. > > I know this is for his safety and that of the other kids and I > agreed with the aide to put it on him tomorrow. But, when I got > inside the house and talked to about it, he went ballistic. > He does not want to wear it. Again, I told him it was for his own > safety and if he proves he can behave on the bus, he won't have to > wear it anymore, which is what the aide and I agreed on. But now he > is saying if he has to ride the bus, he does not want to go to this > school. He calmed down some later and I will put it on him in the > morning........ > > But I just have this huge pit in my stomach. I want this school to > work out so bad because I know it will be good for , but ever > since we decided to try it, I have been worried about this bus > ride. He has never done well on the bus. We had to take him off it > before. I was hoping that since this bus had an aide, it would > help. I just don't know what we will do if this does not work out. > There is not a good option at the public school because they have no > programs for high-functioning autistic kids, just the low > functioning ones. He has been in a special day class the last two > years, but that class moves at such a slow pace he is falling far > behind his age peers. is extremely bright (IQ 119) so he gets > bored and starts to act out in the slower classes. That is not good > for any of the students. And besides I want to learn as much > as he is capable of. He loves the school itself and has been > getting great reports about how he is doing there. It is just that > d#$@ bus ride!!!!! > > Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better. I will > put the harness on him in the morning and hope for the best. > Hopefully, he will only have to wear it a few times and he will > learn his lesson and hold his temper on the bus! > > Debi in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 Our Louie, to this day, loves classical music. It calms him, he says. When he had his Walkman when he was younger and still in school, he kept it tuned to a Christian contemporary station. However, when he was home and upset, he liked to listen to Steely Dan (esp. *Aja*) and Fagen's " The Nightfly. " Annie, who loves ya annie@... -- All change is not growth; all movement is not forward. -- Ellen Glasgow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 I agree with Debi, especially on this part: " If he is that vehement about the harness his behavior will only worsen (or he will begin to withdraw) every time he has to be strapped in. " I seen in another post where others mentioned a taxi. These sorts of things can be written into IEP's regarding transportation and are not out of the ordinary. Sometimes they're for reasons pertaining to 'long' busrides, sometimes 'behavior' on a bus. In either event 'transportation needs' MUST BE considered when writing an IEP. The harness (in my opinion) is somewhat cruel (pls don't take that wrong) when least restrictive things aren't done first (IF his behavior is a result of his disability). So, if he's simply overstimulated or particulary disturbed by certain things (and this is noted and habitual as part of his disability) then a Functional Behavior Assessment would show this and a Behavior Plan would remedy it. In the mean time, perhaps a taxi or private driver is 'least restrictive' and beneficial for him. I'd present this to your district in writing and verbally at the IEP mtg and be prepared to hear them tell you they can't (though they 'may' not). IF headphones and sitting close to the driver work, have them write that into the IEP and all bus staff be aware of it. If this isn't enough, perhaps they can fund him an individual aid to ride along (yes, even before the harness!) If none of those things would work, you might then suggest the private driver. The kewl thing about IDEA supports and services are that they are non exhaustive, and they're individual. > Debi, > > Does he still have an IEP in this school? If so then call for an IEP meeting immediately. Brainstorm about ideas to keep him calm on the bus like music, small objects for him to fiddle with, a weighted blanket, lots of positive reinforcers, a " buddy " to sit with him just anything that will work. Make sure to have anything you come up with written into the IEP. Also be sure to have any consequences for his negative behaviors clearly spelled out with restraints of any kind being the last resort. If he is that vehement about the harness his behavior will only worsen (or he will begin to withdraw) every time he has to be strapped in. Don't delay. oh one last thing DOCCUMENT everything if you are not already. > > in WI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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