Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Backstory: DS has been in special needs preschool for last two years. Diagnosis was PDD/NOS....changed to ASD. Last year his teacher, who was NOT a good fit for him, blindsided me at our teacher conference and said his recommendation for kindergarten was no services....gen ed with no support. That in her non medical opinion he is not ASD nor ADHD. He is just a behavioral problem. I immediately contact the school district, learned that gen ed kindergarten averaged 27 kids with no aide. Went back to dev. pediatrician who leaned towards ADHD and leaned away from ASD but has kept the diagnosis...for the record. Against his preschool teacher's recommendation, with my support and the ped's recommendation, they placed him in the only cooperative teaching class in district (it is not our home school and he gets mini-bussed there). I was very apprehensive about the school bus because, as I posted previously, we were having significant bus issues last year. Likely attributable to modeling poor behavior, anxious about going to class with his teacher, and seeking out negative attention. We put him in an integrated 18:2 class ove the summer as a transition and according to his teacher, who I only met once, said he was a pleasure and never had any issues with him at all.

And so it begins...

Day 1 of kindergarten was fine. Day 2 was ok (he told me he was put on yellow for not listening and not raising his hand). Day 3 was a note home that he would not listen in class, was distruptrive and colored in a classroom book. Yesterday I got a call home that he was jabbing a classmate in the arm with a fork during lunch and coming back from recess he bit a kid. (he has NEVER bitten a child EVER). He was taken to the principal's office where he was spoken to about the severity of his actions. His teacher told me he would lose recess today. Day 5 (today) I just received a call from the cooperative teacher. My son decided instead of writing his letters on his paper, was writing them on the carpet. When he was reprimanded, he shut down, and refused to participate in anything. The cooperative ed teacher thought giving him a break and taking him to her classroom and giving him a little one on one would help but he just laid there. When she pressed the issue he got he got mad and she wound up bringing him to the principal's office "to cool down." So that is two days in a row of my 4 y/o sitting at the principal's office. Two days in a row of disruptive, destructive behavior. I have spoken to both teachers and they both seem to be on the same page and have reassured me that they are dealing with it. But I'm not dealing well with it. What happens for an ASD/ADHD kid at the kindergarten level with behavioral issues? Could he get expelled? If this class is not the right fit for him what is? Self contained 15? At what point do I push for a behavioral plan? Or would the scholl suggest it? I am completely sick and embarrased over this. I plan on calling the dev. ped. and making an appointment. I guess I am back to considering meds for my 4/5 y/o. Advice? Suggestions?

Message edited 9/16/2014 4:27:59 PM.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Wow, I'm sorry.



It seems crazy to me though to go from such a supportive setting to nothing.

I would be at school tomorrow and see what can be set up for him, with a smaller class and supports.

This would need to be in place for sometime before I considered something as drastic as meds for a kid that young.

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Immediately ask for a FBA, functional behavioral analysis. They need to figure out what is causing his behaviors and then to create a BIP for his teachers to follow. Being taken to the principals office is just ridiculous given his diagnosis. Did the school send in anyone to observe him at preschool and if so what where their recommendations for the school setting. As having a diagnosis you are entitled to certain services, such as Parent Training and an Autism consultant who should be going into the classroom offering techniques on how to deal with these behaviors. I would demand that he gets at least a shared aide until these issues can be resolved and managed.

If he is on grade target academically wise, I would be hesitate to put him in a more restrictive class. If he is behind academically then the smaller class may be good for him.

As far as meds go, I always think you need to exhaust all behavioral techniques first before relying on medication to fix the problem.

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

I would call Pupil Personnel Services (Dr. Nielsen) and ask for a CSE meeting to get a BIP (behavior intervention plan). In the interim, maybe you and the teacher can come up with a check list with a positive reward at the end of the day or at home. If he plays the ipad, video games or watches TV, he must get x out of x checks at school to be able to participate in that activity at home. Or something like that.

The problem with the integrated co-teaching class in this district is that the special education teacher only pushes in for an hour or less, and the class size is large. At least that is the way it used to be. Obviously he needs to be in the least restrictive environment, so I wouldn't go to a self contained just yet. Try the BIP first.

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Oh and never feel embarrassed. I know it's hard not too but you are doing everything possible for your child. Our children think a little differently and we just need to figure out what works best for them. It takes time.

Last year my DD went through what we call the two months of rage and i can't tell you how bad she was. I literally thought she was possessed. She even punched her teacher in the stomach. Every day I got called but they were adamant about implementing her behavioral plan and it worked thanks to her great teachers. Whatever was going on in her little brain during those two months broke and now she is fully mainstreamed with minimal supports.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Everything has to be centered around the positive. Just like bargainmama mentioned. Once you start using the color system and a child receives a less then "positive" color, that will do nothing for their neurotransmitters. The BIP should be driven by positive reinforcement strategies.

Positive reinforcement with no aversives ! He is in flight/fight mode...

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

My daughter had the same issues last year. If your son came from a center based program like my daughter he probably needs structure. My daughter was placed in general ed as well and they had a lot of kids. I had to get a fba and then a Bip. It was a nightmare my daughter regress and ultimately I filed a due process to get my daughter's services back. She is currently place out of the district in a private school and she loves her new school pm.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

can they give him a one on one aide in the class? I would not consider meds at this age. Hopefully the previous suggestions above will help.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Any updates?

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee

Any updates?

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

First off they can not suspend a child that has an IEP. They NEED to do a FBA for him immediately. And adhere to it. If he is that uncontrollable they need to provide a safe zone for him to go to to calm down. Call your principal and call your superintendent and get him back in school immediately. He has a diagnosis and they are mandated to give you certain services and they need to call an immediate CSE meeting to get him services.

What district are you in? I know many people in surrounding districts on the SEPTA boards and they may be able to assist you move things along. I also suggest you get an advocate immediately.

I am so mad for you that your poor child is not getting the support he needs. These school districts really need to step up their game.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Maybe if the superintendent wasn't so busy going to rallys about the common core he might have more time to make sure all his students were taken care of and supported, but I digress lol.

Their first mistake was to not give him any supports going into K. Even if he was doing great, there should have been some sort of transition. I have an excellent advocate who makes the districts quake if you are interested. If they can not meet your needs, send him to three village. That would never fly here.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

I would reach out to the special needs preschool you used for your son and ask for guidance. Maybe they can also recommend a lawyer, behavorlisist...whatever is needed.

Stay strong

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by KarenK122

Maybe if the superintendent wasn't so busy going to rallys about the common core he might have more time to make sure all his students were taken care of and supported, but I digress lol.

Their first mistake was to not give him any supports going into K. Even if he was doing great, there should have been some sort of transition. I have an excellent advocate who makes the districts quake if you are interested. If they can not meet your needs, send him to three village. That would never fly here.

I just want to say, I'm in the same district, and have had a son with special needs in the district for many years who has been well supported. In fact, he had a serious incident today at school, one which could have caused a NT child to be suspended, but he wasn't because they know he didn't have malicious intent. I have nothing bad to say about the support and services my son has received as a whole in our district. I have heard not so great things about 3Village for special education (as well as Port Jeff, and several other surrounding districts), which was very surprising to me. I think everyone has a different experience though!

I hope it works out for you OP

Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

My daughter was first in a class with 28 kids from a 15:1:2 intergrated Program center based program from age 3-5 and when she enter kindergarten she was in general ed with related services. She developed behavior issues like your son and she was originally diagnosed with Adhd but later found out she had sensory issues which could act like adhd. My daughter used to run out of class room was sent home at least 15x or so from her charter school . I removed her from that school and placed her back in the school district . She remained in general ed but she still was having behavior issues. I requested a FBA done and got a BIp and was able to get a one aid . Eventually she was placed in a 15:1:1 self contained I filed a due process and won got some of her services back. Looking back now it was a tough school year for my daughter and a 11 month battle with her school district. For 1st grade she was place out of the district and she attends Little Village now. My daughter was born early at 29 weeks and 5 days at first I was a little nervous about her being placed out of district and attending little village because she is very high functioning. She is two grades above her reading level. But my current school district was not giving her FAPE she deserved. little Village is a wonderful school she no longer needs a BIP. She not having any behavior problems she doing great. They are addressing her sensory issues and I got my happy daughter back she is thriving again. I am so happy do not give up. I used to cry every day and my daughter used to come home on Red most of the time. All she would talked about is what color she received and not her work. Today actually is talking about her school work. If you want talk to me PM.

Message edited 9/17/2014 3:55:20 AM.

Re: Behavioral Issues in kindergarten... 9/16-Updated Below

I have nothing left to add but just wanted to send