disturbed by behavior of classmates

February 23, 2012

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a "high functioning" cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily "melt downs" - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, "Its a little loud in there this year". My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, "But we can't, Mom!" Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these "meltdowns". A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

February 23, 2012

I think it's great that you're trying to come up with strategies to help with a classroom problem, but ultimately it's only in the school's power to carry something on. Don't think about not getting the teacher in trouble or upsetting the other parents, it's to your child's benefit and his classmates that this be discussed with the school admin.If it's such a problem, I'd bet that the teacher's been to the admin with a complaint, but nothing happened. Time for the parents to get involved.You said that's a high-functioning cluster, but it doesn't seem like the kids can deal with the workload (the day they didn't have to work they behaved well...) or need behavioral plans in place, as it's already mid-year and the kids are still tantruming.Do you have any knowledge of what kind of techniques they use to control disruptive behavior? I wonder what's been done and why it isn't working...Good luck and let us know if you talk to them...Sent from a's iPhone

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a "high functioning" cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily "melt downs" - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, "Its a little loud in there this year". My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, "But we can't, Mom!" Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these "meltdowns". A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

=

February 24, 2012

Hello Sandy,

Is this in Broward?

It is unfortunate that Broward does not do more regarding Behavior Specialists.

The qualifications for a District Behavior Specialist do not include Board

Certification as an Associate or Behavior Analyst and to the best of my

knowledge they do not contract out for Behavior Services, at least not to PCM

who is on contract for crisis management. PCM told me that Palm Beach does

contract for Behavior consultant services with them, but Broward does not. On

top of that Broward laid off many Behavior Specialists last year.

This I find disturbing:

" One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the

restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that

the child was safe.) "

A child that is restrained " regularly " needs behavior services. A good

Behaviorist can provide staff with a great many tools to avoid meltdowns and

disruptions and restraint should be the last resort, and if occurring regularly

needs to be addressed. This is State Law.

Broward had 459 restraints reported to FDOE last year and the District is on

track to reducing that number, if they are reporting accurately. Parents have to

be informed within 24 hrs if their child is restrained or secluded.

Sounds to me like the teaching staff in that classroom needs some professional

Behavior help in developing Behavior Intervention Plans to reduce the meltdowns

and restraints.

Have you asked the Teacher if she thinks she needs help? Is there adequate

number of staff in the classroom? Have you discussed this with any of the other

parents?

Steve

>

> >

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in

a " high functioning " cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th

graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The

problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily

" melt downs " - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big

tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids

do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be

restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two

different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was

safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious

cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and

students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, " Its a

little loud in there this year " . My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior

that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to

school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all

of this is going on. He said, " But we can't, Mom! " Evidently it happens often

and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation

because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the

bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to

do any work they didn't want to do.

> >

> > Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him

removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and

very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he

learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he

would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for

these " meltdowns " . A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a

lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've

heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really

know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't

want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good

teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the

classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I

do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also

need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are

there any answers?

> >

> > Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

> >

> > TODAY(Beta) â€¢ Powered by Yahoo!

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February 27, 2012

Thanks a,I don't really know how they are handling it. I'm going to observe soon. Everything will probably be fine when I'm there. I'm not clear on just what they do. I'll bet they haven't done FBA's for most of them. It seems to me that the incentive program, Treausure Box causes some problems. If they misbehave they lose treasure box but if they lose Treasure Box they tantrum. I think I will have to rock the boat a little more. It seemed to get a just slightly better when I offered to call the Area and District offices to "help" but not enough. If the parents don't insist on the FBA it probably won't be done. I only found out about it at the Family Cafe Conference and had to insist, in writing, that it be done. It worked very well but it took a long time. I think I will wind up writing a letter to the "powers that be" about this. I strongly doubt that they will remove 5 kids from my son's class. My son is begging to get out of the cluster but I think he will go downhill academically if we do that. Ugly choice. :-(

I think it's great that you're trying to come up with strategies to help with a classroom problem, but ultimately it's only in the school's power to carry something on. Don't think about not getting the teacher in trouble or upsetting the other parents, it's to your child's benefit and his classmates that this be discussed with the school admin.If it's such a problem, I'd bet that the teacher's been to the admin with a complaint, but nothing happened. Time for the parents to get involved.You said that's a high-functioning cluster, but it doesn't seem like the kids can deal with the workload (the day they didn't have to work they behaved well...) or need behavioral plans in place, as it's already mid-year and the kids are still tantruming.Do you have any knowledge of what kind of techniques they use to control disruptive behavior? I wonder what's been done and why it isn't working...Good luck and let us know if you talk to them...Sent from a's iPhone

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a "high functioning" cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily "melt downs" - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, "Its a little loud in there this year". My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, "But we can't, Mom!" Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these "meltdowns". A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

=

February 27, 2012

Thanks a,I don't really know how they are handling it. I'm going to observe soon. Everything will probably be fine when I'm there. I'm not clear on just what they do. I'll bet they haven't done FBA's for most of them. It seems to me that the incentive program, Treausure Box causes some problems. If they misbehave they lose treasure box but if they lose Treasure Box they tantrum. I think I will have to rock the boat a little more. It seemed to get a just slightly better when I offered to call the Area and District offices to "help" but not enough. If the parents don't insist on the FBA it probably won't be done. I only found out about it at the Family Cafe Conference and had to insist, in writing, that it be done. It worked very well but it took a long time. I think I will wind up writing a letter to the "powers that be" about this. I strongly doubt that they will remove 5 kids from my son's class. My son is begging to get out of the cluster but I think he will go downhill academically if we do that. Ugly choice. :-(

I think it's great that you're trying to come up with strategies to help with a classroom problem, but ultimately it's only in the school's power to carry something on. Don't think about not getting the teacher in trouble or upsetting the other parents, it's to your child's benefit and his classmates that this be discussed with the school admin.If it's such a problem, I'd bet that the teacher's been to the admin with a complaint, but nothing happened. Time for the parents to get involved.You said that's a high-functioning cluster, but it doesn't seem like the kids can deal with the workload (the day they didn't have to work they behaved well...) or need behavioral plans in place, as it's already mid-year and the kids are still tantruming.Do you have any knowledge of what kind of techniques they use to control disruptive behavior? I wonder what's been done and why it isn't working...Good luck and let us know if you talk to them...Sent from a's iPhone

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a "high functioning" cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily "melt downs" - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, "Its a little loud in there this year". My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, "But we can't, Mom!" Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these "meltdowns". A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

=

February 27, 2012

Thanks a,I don't really know how they are handling it. I'm going to observe soon. Everything will probably be fine when I'm there. I'm not clear on just what they do. I'll bet they haven't done FBA's for most of them. It seems to me that the incentive program, Treausure Box causes some problems. If they misbehave they lose treasure box but if they lose Treasure Box they tantrum. I think I will have to rock the boat a little more. It seemed to get a just slightly better when I offered to call the Area and District offices to "help" but not enough. If the parents don't insist on the FBA it probably won't be done. I only found out about it at the Family Cafe Conference and had to insist, in writing, that it be done. It worked very well but it took a long time. I think I will wind up writing a letter to the "powers that be" about this. I strongly doubt that they will remove 5 kids from my son's class. My son is begging to get out of the cluster but I think he will go downhill academically if we do that. Ugly choice. :-(

I think it's great that you're trying to come up with strategies to help with a classroom problem, but ultimately it's only in the school's power to carry something on. Don't think about not getting the teacher in trouble or upsetting the other parents, it's to your child's benefit and his classmates that this be discussed with the school admin.If it's such a problem, I'd bet that the teacher's been to the admin with a complaint, but nothing happened. Time for the parents to get involved.You said that's a high-functioning cluster, but it doesn't seem like the kids can deal with the workload (the day they didn't have to work they behaved well...) or need behavioral plans in place, as it's already mid-year and the kids are still tantruming.Do you have any knowledge of what kind of techniques they use to control disruptive behavior? I wonder what's been done and why it isn't working...Good luck and let us know if you talk to them...Sent from a's iPhone

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a "high functioning" cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily "melt downs" - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, "Its a little loud in there this year". My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, "But we can't, Mom!" Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these "meltdowns". A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

=

February 27, 2012

Hi Sandy: Based upon what you said about the incentive program, a simple fix would be to have the children work towards earning treasure box with clear simple expectations and goals, rather than the teacher taking treasure box away. Each child should have their own individualized goals to earn the reward, rather than general class rules. A trained special ed teacher should be able to set up a basic behavioral plan geared towards each child's goals, and the " incentive " should be individualized as well- what is a motivator for one child is not for another, so the treasure box should hold reinforcers valuable to each child. It sounds like the children are missing a basic, solid behavioral management plan that should be put together by a competent special needs classroom team. I am an SLP, but have also worked as a consultant in the classroom with BCBAs up in Fairfield County, CT for many years, so if you'd like to email me directly, I'd be happy to help.To: sList From: Sandyh@...Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:19:50 -0500Subject: Re: disturbed by behavior of classmates

Thanks a,I don't really know how they are handling it. I'm going to observe soon. Everything will probably be fine when I'm there. I'm not clear on just what they do. I'll bet they haven't done FBA's for most of them. It seems to me that the incentive program, Treausure Box causes some problems. If they misbehave they lose treasure box but if they lose Treasure Box they tantrum. I think I will have to rock the boat a little more. It seemed to get a just slightly better when I offered to call the Area and District offices to " help " but not enough. If the parents don't insist on the FBA it probably won't be done. I only found out about it at the Family Cafe Conference and had to insist, in writing, that it be done. It worked very well but it took a long time. I think I will wind up writing a letter to the " powers that be " about this. I strongly doubt that they will remove 5 kids from my son's class. My son is begging to get out of the cluster but I think he will go downhill academically if we do that. Ugly choice. :-( On Feb 23, 2012, at 2:57 PM, a Bijos wrote:

I think it's great that you're trying to come up with strategies to help with a classroom problem, but ultimately it's only in the school's power to carry something on. Don't think about not getting the teacher in trouble or upsetting the other parents, it's to your child's benefit and his classmates that this be discussed with the school admin.If it's such a problem, I'd bet that the teacher's been to the admin with a complaint, but nothing happened. Time for the parents to get involved.You said that's a high-functioning cluster, but it doesn't seem like the kids can deal with the workload (the day they didn't have to work they behaved well...) or need behavioral plans in place, as it's already mid-year and the kids are still tantruming.Do you have any knowledge of what kind of techniques they use to control disruptive behavior? I wonder what's been done and why it isn't working...Good luck and let us know if you talk to them...Sent from a's iPhoneOn Feb 23, 2012, at 10:39 AM, Sandy wrote:

Hello everyone, I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a " high functioning " cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. He is mainstreamed for Science, SS, Specials, Lunch and Recess. The problem is that about five of his classmates have very frequent, often daily " melt downs " - tantrums, screaming, kicking, etc. I mean, at least two big tantrums happen daily and sometimes they all tantrum in the same day - some kids do it more than once a day. That is almost 1/2 of the class! One child must be restrained regularly (a couple of parents witnessed the restraint on two different occasions and felt that it was appropriate and that the child was safe.) Evidently the kids get each other riled up and it becomes a vicious cycle. I haven't seen this with my own eyes but my son and other parents and students have told me about it. The teacher doesn't deny it. She said, " Its a little loud in there this year " . My son is so disturbed by all of this behavior that he begs to be mainstreamed all day and sometimes he doesn't want to go to school at all. He told me he is expected to just focus on his work while all of this is going on. He said, " But we can't, Mom! " Evidently it happens often and throughout the day. He was so happy and relaxed the day before vacation because no one had tantrums. It was the first thing he said when he got off the bus. The class basically played and partied that day and no one was required to do any work they didn't want to do. Is there anything I can do to help my son without pushing to have him removed from that class? The teacher happens to be excellent with academics and very good with my son and I don't want to take him away from her. I know he learns reading and math better from her than he would with the VE teacher he would have were he moved out of the cluster. My son loves school except for these " meltdowns " . A couple of those kids are his friends and he likes them a lot when they aren't screaming, kicking kids, or hitting the teacher. I've heard of parents getting funding for specific kinds of help but I don't really know how to go about it or even what specifically is needed. I really don't want the teacher to be hurt by anything I do about this. She is a very good teacher and a nice person. I do try to put myself in the place of the classmate's parents. My son has had his own behavior problems in the past and I do sympathize. I know these explosive kids need to be taught, too and they also need examples for good behavior.... but my child is so stressed.... (sigh) Are there any answers? Thanks very much. I'm sorry this got so long.

=

February 27, 2012

Hi Sandy,

" If they misbehave they lose treasure box but if they lose Treasure Box they

tantrum. "

THIS IS BAD PROCEDURE. Negative reinforcement is not errorless teaching. There

should not be negative reinforcement, only positive reinforcement. This is basic

behavior management, this classroom needs a Qualified Behavior Specialist to

address classroom behavior policies.

No wonder they have problems.

Steve

>

> Hello everyone,

> I hope some of you will make suggestions about this situation. My son is in a

" high functioning " cluster classroom with a mixture of 3rd, 4th, and 5th