I am so frustrated right now. My 7yr old son is in first grade, is an attention seeker and has been to OT for a little more then a year, and is just having aggression issues. He has a wonderful teacher, but is still not adjusting. My son has been getting so frustrated at school that he is physically hurting other children. I feel that I am alone, and that most people don't understand. The schools solution to the problem is to give my son detention after school. REALLY? I don't see what this will solve.
It was also suggested that I take him to a psychiatrist to deal with his anger issues. This makes me feel like a failure as the parent.
Any suggestions or anyone have a similar situation.
Thanks
Does he have an IEP? DON't feel alone, my son is 8, he is very aggresive, school won't pull him for OT, but I Have made them pull him fromthe cafeteria to eat in a quiet room. THis is the ONLY quiet break he gets all day! I would tell them to stick the detention somewhere! Go tot he classroom and see his enviroment. You will be best to see what is setting him off, tell the teacher he needs a chance to 'unwind' so to speak. He may need a quiet moment to reorganize his thoughts, send him with fidget toys for at his desk, there could be something settin ghim off that no one can notice but him. Just imangine the amount of noise all day and how it feels to him. If someone brushes against my son he thinks they are ready to take him out! The sensitivity to touch causes that plus all hte noise amplifies his issues, he doesn't know how to cope. He is not getting a break from teh noise, it is all so overwhelming. My son was coming home with migraines, now he isn't since he at least gets to go to the quiet room for lunch. Take him to a neuro ped. get him diagnosed, go for an OT eval. get an IEP! I hate it when these kids are labeled "behavior!" They CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES! SHeesh! Do not let them push you around, you know what the problem is and they have to help your child be successful in school by giving him what he needs! Do not back down! COntact your school and tell them you want him evaluated if he does not have an IEP. Get that IEP and you can fight like heck and get the support that he is entitled to! DOn't ever feel alone we are all here for you, have so many similar situations, it will work out jsut takes a lot of fighting and getting people to understand. Write anytime !!
Sorry, I am very passionate about this, it jsut makes me so mad that the people that are supposed to be helping kids are the ones that we have to fight so hard against! AHHHHHHHHHHHH
So the thing is that he does have an IEP, and an diagnosis os SPD. It is just that most of the time he does just fine, but then can get very explosive with behavior. After a meeting today with the school (yes I showed up at the school and demanded a meeting), they are going to do a behavior plan so everyone is on the same page with any behaviors that come up. I am feeling a bit better, but we have some work to do.
It sounds like you're doing a great job! Every year is a new experience at school, and he's only been in a short time and is still adjusting. I believe the law requires the school to provide any accomodation you request if it promotes his education. I agree with Heather that you should observe his classroom for a day. That way you can identify any triggers and what part of his sensory diet can be applied at school to prevent the aggressive behavior. We're here for you.
Watch the words 'behavior plan' you don't want him labled a 'behavior issue' the principal at my son's school the other day asked if I wanted a behavior plan, I told her he is not a behavior issue, he has issues that cause his behavior! She said,.... Oh, ok so we don't want a behavioral lable! So tread lightly with that! Don't let them find excuses to overlook the main issue that it is sensory! AND GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are definitely not alone. We had to fight for years to get our son help. It took until October 2012 before people started seeing the same things we have been seeing at home, especially once his aggression kicked in in first grade (my son will be 8 in two months and is in second grade). After his kindergarten teacher treating him so bad, I learned the hard way you can't back down from the school at all. My boy has to have noise cancelling head phones at school and can barely handle assemblies or gym, let alone lunch.
Behavior plans are not always bad things, just also get an IEP or a 504 plan that takes sensory issues into account. Including a behavior plan in that may or may not make sense; it depends on the individual.
However individualized learning that takes into account sensory needs is the most important part. Sensory input -> behaviors.