Feeling Discouraged

[jackemail]

Too bad that there are only 2 other classes like yours in your school district...kind of eliminates providing you with a mentor, doesn't it? I often had to mentor new special ed teachers...newbies are sometimes at a total loss as to how to proceed. University work does not prepare special ed teachers well.

I'm glad your administrator is a good one....always helps. Does your school system have a good special ed division, with supervisors who are available to help?

 

[Jennasis]

Just out of curiosity, what happens to the biter? Is there some sort of punishment doled out? Is he removed from the class? Sounds like a danger to the others as well as yourself.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

He was sent home for the afternoon after it happened. My room is self contained for both academics and behavioral problems, so what we do really depends on the child. I obviously don't want to get into too much detail for confidentiality reasons. But there are consequences, and those consequences are dependent upon the situation at hand, but we go to great lengths to make sure no students are ever in danger from another student. (And ourselves as well.) One problem is that I was not able to attend restraint training this summer because it conflicted with other district training that I was required to go to and my principal was unable to get me out of that other training. I desperately need it for my room and we are waiting anxiously for it to be offered again.

I do have a mentor teacher (the kindergarten teacher) and she has been a great help. So has my principal, counselor, process coordinator, and social worker. I really am quite lucky in the amount of support I had. I kept losing my planning time which meant I literally had no break from my kids (I eat lunch with them at them) because they were having problems in the specials classes. So now a different adult goes in on a rotating basis along with my para to help out. Including the four people I mentioned above. They all volunteered for it and took it upon themselves when they realized that I was not getting any planning time or break. There are not many schools where that would happen.

 

[wishspirit]

Wow, that is tough stuff! Biting is one of the hardest things to deal with, especially if they draw blood. I work at a Special Needs playscheme amd have been bitten, but luckily they never clamped down hard enough! One of the worst for me was a kid trying to strangle me (plus this kid was almost as big as I am!)

I would definately go to the principle and ask to be put down for restraint trainning! At my work, the only way I know how to stop a kid for clamping down or attacking me is through what I learnt at my sessions. I use 'Approach', which is a form of 'supportive holding' rather than restraint, and means that we use natural body movement to prevent harm to the child and ourselves. We also got taught 'Breakway' techniques to get out of choke holds, bites, hair pulling etc, which is great! I would highly recommend you do it.

Sending you all my best, and hoping this year gets better for you!