Administrator; Harbor Christian Academy, Cedar Park Texas

by Deborah Baker
(Cedar Park, Texas)

We have many students that have been diagnosed with SPD, and we have had to learn a lot of creative ways to keep peace. We reward daily for no meltdowns, and allow the students to remove themselves from the environment or situation that is causing the meltdowns. It is not uncommon for us to have a student to start a meltdown over not understanding their work or a broken pencil tip.




We have each student at his own "office", so the others are not as aware of each other. The student signals the teacher who walks around constantly by the students, and lets her know that they are getting to a point of stress. She assesses whether they can be helped right then, or if she needs to escort them out of the learning center. It is all calm, and quickly taken care of.

If the students just needs to sit outside the room at a table, he is allowed to. He is also allowed to go to the front office and seek guidance/counseling to help the emotions. We watch for signs constantly and if we can get to the students before they get to the meltdown stage, it is easier on all of us.



Comments for Administrator; Harbor Christian Academy, Cedar Park Texas

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 09, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wow
by: Jessi

It took my son's preshcool a year to figure out that they could prevent many of my son's hitting/kicking/pinching/etc. incidents by simply removing him from the classroom when he showed signs of being overwhelmed.

I remember being so frustrated once when the director spoke to me like I should be doing something about it. Let me explain first - they see me come twice a week on my lunch break to take him to therapy; I've printed out information about SPD - multiple copies - and handed it out to his teacher, the directors, and a copy for his file; I've had multiple discussions with his various teachers with suggestions on how to handle him; etc. So I basically told her - that's why I did all that was to help them, and I CAN'T do it for them from work!!! And guess what, the next day she came up with the brilliant plan to let him come to the office to do his work when he's getting out of control. The lights came on, finally! I told her I thought that was a great idea and we haven't had as many incidents since.

Generally, his problems are minimal at this point until he goes through a growth spurt. That's when his lashing out and difficulty concentrating reaches a peak for about a week and he IS definitely harder to control. So I'm grateful that they've figured something out - and I commend you and your school for being so understanding and doing what you can to help SPD kids.
Feb 09, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		SPD Students
by: Carolyn

I have a son who is 5 and is going through K for the first time. His teacher seems very unwilling to support us in anyway. I believe he has some SPD issues or maybe it is just some behavior problems. Regardless of which she just doesn't seem willing to work with us. She constantly places him by himself whenever he gets in trouble. It doesn't matter what it is.

At first he would get angry and turn over his desk and throw things. I was the first to say this is not right and he shouldn't be doing that. Now it is everytime he gets in trouble for anything. Last week it was sword fighting with pencils. Now he has to sit by himself. If not that then we have center privileges taken away. The alternative is to sit at out desk and color. What is that for work?

My husband and I have already decided to hold him back a year and have chosen a more structured and experienced teacher. We are also going to have him screened for SPD. Unfortunately we have to pay for this out of own pocket. Insurance company does not pay for learning disabilities.

I am also a special needs teacher and would never dream of treating any of my students in the way she treats my son. I know it is challenging for a teacher who has 22 students in her classroom but you need to work with the student. She has received suggestions from us as parents and from OT assistants. I don't think she listens to any of it.
Feb 08, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		if only you were my childs teacher!
by: Joy

Your students are so blessed to have you all working with them. I have a six year old son with many problems,Mild Cerebral Palsy,Autism spectrum and ADHD combined type. He is in his second year of Kindergarten and has been suspended from the school bus twice already because of his inability to control his sensory issues . All they see my child as is a brat and trouble maker. They refuse to place him in a class equip to handle these issues in a positive manor.

Trevor is failing Kindergarten again this year too and since they will not place him in SP classes I wonder if they think He will repeat Kindergarten a 3rd year.I wonder when schools will understand Sensory issues are not just being bad but very real issues for children. I like to compare it to being placed in a pit of snakes because for my son that's how he feels when he is placed in a room with loud sounds or crowds of people. Trevor isn't bad he is just different.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Anger Issues, Meltdowns & Tantrums.