About My Students

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Each of the students I work with is incredibly different from the others. None of them work at the same level or have the same schedule. We have a student who is severely autistic, does not communicate much at all, and POSSIBLY has other mental health issues. He has never been evaluated. He has not even seen an autism specialist, though we would like that. He also has other non related health issues. He just turned nine, is approximately the size of a six year old, but when he has an "episode" he can turn over all tables, knock all partitions in the room down, and throw all kinds of things around the room. He gets physically aggressive and also will deliberately pee on things. As far as we can tell he is not in a well structured or regulated home. We spend time running with him, walking with him, having him do some pushing of carts and things that cause him to burn excess energy, and for the most part at this time he still does almost no academics. The parents were finally persuaded that he needed a doctor's visit, and with help of other agencies, he was seen at a charity clinic. I am sharing this to illustrate why I am often tired. I have lost a little weight this year as well. I LIKE THIS STUDENT, and the other three students. We want the best outcome for all of them. I do not want people to be "horrified", but there are many students out in the public who are this way. When this student recently saw the doctor, the doctor prescribed a medication that is regularly given for "aggression associated with autism". Mom said the state insurance was refusing to cover it. I guess something happened though. She got the medication last Thursday, and gave him one dose in the evening. The general protocol with this med is four days of half dose, then increase to full dose. So Friday one of our regular staff was gone for the day. That is often a recipe for disaster. This young man had about 1/20 th of the negative behaviors he usually has in a day. He worked at all of his academic tasks. I only had him do one lap around the block on an "AmTryke". It was a very good day. We are hopeful. We have not had a day this good since Christmas Break. I am not going to be at work on Monday, but I certainly hope that when I am back on Tuesday he is still functioning in a more self controlled manner. So that is a picture of what my job is like. I need to say though, that I like my job, I believe I am good at it. I have a terrific lead teacher. The principal, counselor, school psychologist, music and PE teachers and the Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapis all work hard at supporting the students as we try to help them learn.