Meeting with school tomorrow - ideas needed please

January 5, 2011

not for a PPT, but just to work on a few ideas to help my 8 yr. old son with

some " behavioural issues " . A little background - we put in his IEP a plan of

rewards for good behaviour - he has 3 rewards that he can choose from if he does

his work, does not disrupt the class, etc. This has worked pretty well, but the

school felt that he still needed something as punishment for misbehaviour. We

agreed as you really can't have this child hitting people, screaming " NO " at his

teacher, and acting out. Little things are ignored and redirection is used, but

when it's out of hand, he goes to the principal's office, tells her what he did

and then he has to call me at work to tell me the same. The school feels that

if they tell him that they have to bother mom and interrupt her at work, that

will work. And it DID work.....last year. He also gets weepy at school and

says that he misses his mommy.

So - we seem to have some separation anxiety now and I believe that he is

beginning to act out so that he CAN call me at work. I believe this

" punishment " is no longer working. I believe this anxiety may be a direct

result of something I have done - when I get home from work, I typically hug him

and say " I missed you so much " - by extension, I believe I have caused him to

feel that if I miss him, he therefore must miss me. SO - I am changing my

greeting to " I'm so happy to see you " and not talk about missing him. I'm

hoping that will help with the anxiety.

I'm meeting with his teacher and the social worker tomorrow to discuss a plan.

I'm stumped and really have little to offer except the change in what I say - so

that may help him with his separation anxiety, but it won't help with the rest

of the behaviours during the day. Does anybody have any ideas to offer? Thanks

in advance.

Janna

Recommended Posts