Re: Child Bit My Son At School

[Guest guest]

Dear Cyndi:

I know how disturbing this is and I " m really sorry

that it happened. It makes for a really tough day--and

there's nothing worse than thinking you're sending

your child into an unsafe environment.

If the child's tests come back positive, they will

have an obligation to let you know somehow, I would

think. They will have an ethical oblication to tell

you if the other student has Hep C or HIV or

something. Does his family situation suggest that he

may be at risk? Just as when my son bit an AAC person

when she was forcing hand-over-hand, we did the

testing and we know she would have been told if there

was a problem. I was, however, offended by the request

as we are a very clean and careful family. The

lifestyle risks for any disasterous illness coming

from my son are miniscule. We did, however, honor the

request.

Request the test, but *also* please consider doing

more than reacting to your child's harm. Protect this

child who bit your son, too. Tell the folks involved

to do a Functional Behavioral Analysis and develop a

positive behavior support plan for this student before

they start thinkintg of him only as an animal.

Advocate for them to see that he needs support. The

bite is not the student's fault, it is the staff and

school who own the burden for not putting some extra

manpower in there until they know exactly what the

stuent needs. I " m sure this isn't the first time he

has bit someone.

I am not telling you want to do about wanting him out

of your child's classroom, only you can make that

call. But I AM asking you to think about making the

suggestions that could change this child's situation

for the better, regardless of where he goes. HIs

biting is communicating a need not met: Fear, sensory

overload, anxiety, frustration, it's hard to know what

without the FBA.

Your child's safety and health come first. Take care

of your son, most definitely.

Please consider the other piece--I am betting his

parents or care givers may be too overwhelmed to know

what to do.

--- wrote:

> Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am

> having a meeting

> with the school and school board to get the child

> removed from the

> class.The children in my sons class are defensely

> children ,blind, in

> wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad

> it broke the skin

> and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on

> antibiotics.I am worried

> that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes,

> Cytomegalovirus, Syphilis,

> Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can

> transmit these

> blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot

> release this

> information even though the DR. requested this.I

> want to know if this

> child has anything that can make my son deadly

> sick.Symptons usually

> begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr

> and web MD. Has

> anyone every had this problem. I want the child

> tested. My son has

> heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics

> just to get his teeth

> cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Cyndi: Tori was bit several times when she was younger by a child who was

non-communicative. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I

understand your concern, because I, too, ran the gamut, off to the hospital,

etc. The problem is that alot of the kids that act out like that are

non-communicative and cannot communicate any other way. Unfortunately, some

children just seem to receive the ultimate for it. We had the day care -

pre-school make sure that child had a 1:1 with them and they had to keep the

2 of them separated at all times. I couldn't really punish the child

because he/she doesn't know any better, but I could not have Tori be his/her

target either.

Liz

Child Bit My Son At School

> Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am having a meeting

> with the school and school board to get the child removed from the

> class.The children in my sons class are defensely children ,blind, in

> wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad it broke the skin

> and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on antibiotics.I am worried

> that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus, Syphilis,

> Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can transmit these

> blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot release this

> information even though the DR. requested this.I want to know if this

> child has anything that can make my son deadly sick.Symptons usually

> begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr and web MD. Has

> anyone every had this problem. I want the child tested. My son has

> heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics just to get his teeth

> cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------

> Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos

> of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

> including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the

> archives for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

> --------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

OUCH! Your poor child!!!! I know bites are nasty things that yes,

are worse then dog bites. I know taking precautions are a must after

the fact! I will pray all tests will come back nothing. I guess I

would want to know what led up to the bite. Did they say? I agree

with Joan that even though it's your call to meet and possibly place

that child elsewhere, I sure hope that child gets some things

changed in his IEP also.. to help for this not to happen again to

anyone! Where else would this child go?

Hugs!

A.

> Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am having a meeting

> with the school and school board to get the child removed from the

> class.The children in my sons class are defensely children ,blind,

in

> wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad it broke the

skin

> and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on antibiotics.I am

worried

> that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus,

Syphilis,

> Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can transmit these

> blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot release this

> information even though the DR. requested this.I want to know if

this

> child has anything that can make my son deadly sick.Symptons

usually

> begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr and web MD. Has

> anyone every had this problem. I want the child tested. My son has

> heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics just to get his

teeth

> cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi

[Guest guest]

Liz,I feel for everyone involved but like you I have to protect this

defenseless child because this has affected his behavior and could

make him want to bite someone. The deadly illness concerns me very

much. There were more appropriate places for this child. Thanks for

your concern. Cyndi

> Cyndi: Tori was bit several times when she was younger by a child

who was

> non-communicative. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I

> understand your concern, because I, too, ran the gamut, off to the

hospital,

> etc. The problem is that alot of the kids that act out like that

are

> non-communicative and cannot communicate any other way.

Unfortunately, some

> children just seem to receive the ultimate for it. We had the day

care -

> pre-school make sure that child had a 1:1 with them and they had

to keep the

> 2 of them separated at all times. I couldn't really punish the

child

> because he/she doesn't know any better, but I could not have Tori

be his/her

> target either.

>

> Liz

> Child Bit My Son At School

>

>

> > Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am having a

meeting

> > with the school and school board to get the child removed from

the

> > class.The children in my sons class are defensely

children ,blind, in

> > wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad it broke the

skin

> > and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on antibiotics.I am

worried

> > that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus,

Syphilis,

> > Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can transmit

these

> > blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot release this

> > information even though the DR. requested this.I want to know if

this

> > child has anything that can make my son deadly sick.Symptons

usually

> > begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr and web MD.

Has

> > anyone every had this problem. I want the child tested. My son

has

> > heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics just to get his

teeth

> > cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > --------------------------------------------------

> > Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks,

and photos

> > of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other

information by

> > including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of

the

> > archives for our list. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

> > --------------------------------------------

> >

[Guest guest]

Adrienne, We have other schools that take children like this.The

board of education knowingly put this biter in a class with helpless

kids that are blind, in wheelchairs etc.The school board needs a

wake up call to think about every appropriate education.This has

affected my childs behavior and may turn my child into a biter.Not

only that but now my child does not want to go to school. My son is

self abussive so I feel for the parents but I have to protect my

child. What if he gets aids? The school board needs to be held

responsible, and because of confidentuality cannot release this

info.I have an attorney advocate that will make them release this

information. I have a right to know. Thanks for caring enough to try

to help and show concern. Cyndi

> OUCH! Your poor child!!!! I know bites are nasty things that

yes,

> are worse then dog bites. I know taking precautions are a must

after

> the fact! I will pray all tests will come back nothing. I guess I

> would want to know what led up to the bite. Did they say? I agree

> with Joan that even though it's your call to meet and possibly

place

> that child elsewhere, I sure hope that child gets some things

> changed in his IEP also.. to help for this not to happen again to

> anyone! Where else would this child go?

>

> Hugs!

>

> A.

>

>

> > Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am having a

meeting

> > with the school and school board to get the child removed from

the

> > class.The children in my sons class are defensely

children ,blind,

> in

> > wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad it broke the

> skin

> > and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on antibiotics.I am

> worried

> > that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus,

> Syphilis,

> > Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can transmit

these

> > blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot release this

> > information even though the DR. requested this.I want to know if

> this

> > child has anything that can make my son deadly sick.Symptons

> usually

> > begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr and web MD.

Has

> > anyone every had this problem. I want the child tested. My son

has

> > heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics just to get his

> teeth

> > cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi

[Guest guest]

Hi Cyndi,

I think you misunderstood me. My point was not that

you should continually send your child to school in an

unsafe environment, but that you have a golden

opportunity to show consistency in practice and

philsophy in what you want for both your child and

this other student.

Merely moving this child to another setting and adding

a 1:1 Ed Assistant isn't going to reduce the behavior

or improve his life. Nor will that sort of action

reduce any unwanted behavior YOUR child exhibits that

is disturbing to you and others--regardless of where

he learns it. What WILL effect change is the use of an

FBA and Positive Bheavior Support Plan for this

child--REGARDLESS of the setting.

In my experience, advocacy in moments like these works

best when you can show a concern for everyone

involved--including the school district's lack of

staff or attempting to undrestand what led to this

child's placement in your son's classroom. Sometimes

school administration are out of options too. that may

or may not be the case.

All I know is that I want to treat other students in

the same manner I want Andy treated when things are

not perfect. If I want other students to practice

tolerance and acceptance, I have to show some for

those who are a challenge to me and Andy. When he used

to bite, scratch and pull others' hair, sending him to

another classroom or school was not the answer to the

behaviors; staff in another classroom were no more

skilled at positive behavior support than the staff in

his current classroom. Making sure he was healthy,

providing communication partner training, and ensuring

he had other ways to experess his emotions were the

key. It took time and persistence, but it worked. And

I am forever grateful to the other students (who were

adamant that Andy should stay) and parents who were

willing to work it through with us rather than

shipping him out.

But NEVER did I say, nor do I believe, that sending

your child to school in an unsafe environment is OK.

It is not.

Do what you feel you must. Your child *does* come

first when you are advocating and only *you* truly

know the situation, the options, and what is best for

your son.

Take care,

Joan

PS--you do know that in order for this student to have

contracted Hep C or HIV from another student he bit,

he would need to A) draw blood and have an open

wound in his mouth or somewhere that had direct

contact with the blood, right? Merely biting them

won't do it. It doesn't mean it can't happen.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Joan, No Joan I did not misunderstand you. It's not the kids fault

the school board is at fault for not having a 1:1 aid when they knew

he was a know biter. Yes he draws blood when he bites. The Dr. is

wanting to have tested because he alread had heart problems and

this could be deadly to him.We have more appropriate schools to

handle children like this but Jefferson County is to concerned with

getting like 25 million dollars donated for math programs than

special needs kids.The first 4 weeks of schools everyday the bus was

late getting him to school as in 20-40 minutes late. I finally got

that resolved and I have to deal with this. I don't want to create

problems for another mother of a special needs child, I have enough

to deal with myself.The school board here will not talk about the

other child at all this is a privacy issue so no matter what I say

about implementing better programs using the money GE gave 25

million for making better programs, Jefferson county will only deal

with my problem. My son used to bite his family and I had to do

intervention that I paid for to help him quit.I stay on top of his

behavior issues but having someone likes this in the class could

make him start again. My main concern is the safety of him and his

classmate. I already pulled my son from a school where he regressed

talking, fell off of a slide, another time broke his foot, and cried

because he did not want to go to school and now he is crying again

and throwing himself on the floor and not wanting to go to school.I

don't need this. I am truely sorry for the other family the child

has been kicked out of many schools but the district makes

assestment and places the child in these classes with the helpless

children,blind, in wheelchairs etc. I can only do so much.Thanks for

your support. Cyndi

> Hi Cyndi,

>

> I think you misunderstood me. My point was not that

> you should continually send your child to school in an

> unsafe environment, but that you have a golden

> opportunity to show consistency in practice and

> philsophy in what you want for both your child and

> this other student.

>

> Merely moving this child to another setting and adding

> a 1:1 Ed Assistant isn't going to reduce the behavior

> or improve his life. Nor will that sort of action

> reduce any unwanted behavior YOUR child exhibits that

> is disturbing to you and others--regardless of where

> he learns it. What WILL effect change is the use of an

> FBA and Positive Bheavior Support Plan for this

> child--REGARDLESS of the setting.

>

> In my experience, advocacy in moments like these works

> best when you can show a concern for everyone

> involved--including the school district's lack of

> staff or attempting to undrestand what led to this

> child's placement in your son's classroom. Sometimes

> school administration are out of options too. that may

> or may not be the case.

>

> All I know is that I want to treat other students in

> the same manner I want Andy treated when things are

> not perfect. If I want other students to practice

> tolerance and acceptance, I have to show some for

> those who are a challenge to me and Andy. When he used

> to bite, scratch and pull others' hair, sending him to

> another classroom or school was not the answer to the

> behaviors; staff in another classroom were no more

> skilled at positive behavior support than the staff in

> his current classroom. Making sure he was healthy,

> providing communication partner training, and ensuring

> he had other ways to experess his emotions were the

> key. It took time and persistence, but it worked. And

> I am forever grateful to the other students (who were

> adamant that Andy should stay) and parents who were

> willing to work it through with us rather than

> shipping him out.

>

> But NEVER did I say, nor do I believe, that sending

> your child to school in an unsafe environment is OK.

> It is not.

>

> Do what you feel you must. Your child *does* come

> first when you are advocating and only *you* truly

> know the situation, the options, and what is best for

> your son.

>

> Take care,

>

> Joan

>

>

> PS--you do know that in order for this student to have

> contracted Hep C or HIV from another student he bit,

> he would need to A) draw blood and have an open

> wound in his mouth or somewhere that had direct

> contact with the blood, right? Merely biting them

> won't do it. It doesn't mean it can't happen.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

is your son, right? Glad you're testing him and

not waiting for the other side. I would, too,

especially after hearing his health history. Shoot,

I'd probably do it regardless of whether the other kid

is tested or not and without the health bistory for my

own peace of mind.

Like I said, you have to advocate for first. He

is your primary concern. But it might begin to help

the other family's case if, in your letter of

complaint, you mention that you hope they will do the

right thing and complete an FBA and positive behavior

plan once he is settled. The more it's documented that

this is the right course of action for this student,

the stronger EVERYONE's case is: yours, theirs, anyone

else who is hurt, etc.

Hang in there.

Joan

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I understand. Sorry I was so nosey! I hope you get it all worked

out. And I am truly sorry your son doesn't want to go to school,

that would break my heart!

A.

> > > Group-A new child in my son class bit my son.I am having a

> meeting

> > > with the school and school board to get the child removed from

> the

> > > class.The children in my sons class are defensely

> children ,blind,

> > in

> > > wheelchairs you get the picture.The bit was so bad it broke

the

> > skin

> > > and my son had to get a tetnus shot and go on antibiotics.I am

> > worried

> > > that he may get Aids,Hepatitis B, Herpes, Cytomegalovirus,

> > Syphilis,

> > > Tuberculosis,just to mention a few.A human bite can transmit

> these

> > > blood borne diseases. Legally the school cannot release this

> > > information even though the DR. requested this.I want to know

if

> > this

> > > child has anything that can make my son deadly sick.Symptons

> > usually

> > > begin within a few weeks of the bite. Info from Dr and web MD.

> Has

> > > anyone every had this problem. I want the child tested. My son

> has

> > > heart problems which he has to take antiobiotics just to get

his

> > teeth

> > > cleaned.Can anyone help with advice? Cyndi