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The great offender

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired, and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob, calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not drive. Thanks for any and all advice.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

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Get the school social worker involved. The child may be suffering from neglect. Not being bathed is one possible indicator. If you have no social worker, try talking with the principal about the situtation. The school is mandated to report suspicion of neglect to the state agency for social services. Social Services can get deeper into what is going on at home. Sounds like an investigation is warranted. This family is probably already known to them, but in any event they must be notified. The mother may be unable (or unwilling) to provide what this child needs. Getting the child out of such a home may be the best way to help him with the behaviors you and the other teachers are so concerned about. JJ: I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any
: friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired,
: and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob,
: calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and
: due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young
: man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and
: since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out
: with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is
: trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not
: handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid
: of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also
: this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other
: teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how
: much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or
: suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a
: rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not
: drive. Thanks for any and all advice.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

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: Does he have any access to a computer? It does offer the opportunity to have penpals. Try epal.com. There is also just for kids BB at this site.Has anyone talked to him directly about changing some of his ways? He seems to have a great relationship with you. Maybe it’s time to directly address the need to bathe especially.Does his mother belong to a church or is there a church in your rural community that does community outreach?In the meantime, it sounds as if you and your colleague are really making the most important difference in this poor child’s life. He’s fortunate to have you as it seems without you, he’d have no one.I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any
: friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired,
: and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob,
: calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and
: due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young
: man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and
: since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out
: with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is
: trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not
: handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid
: of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also
: this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other
: teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how
: much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or
: suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a
: rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not
: drive. Thanks for any and all advice.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

Permalink

: I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any
: friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired,
: and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob,
: calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and
: due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young
: man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and
: since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out
: with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is
: trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not
: handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid
: of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also
: this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other
: teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how
: much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or
: suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a
: rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not
: drive. Thanks for any and all advice.Thank goodness for someone like you to have the compassion to make a difference in his life. I know it must be time consuming and sometimes frustrating. I was wondering if there would be any type of wrap-around services that the state provides for children with mr/mh issues? They would be able to offer assistance in social situations and ways to conduct himself in a more self sufficient manner.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

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: Thank goodness for someone like you to have the compassion to make a
: difference in his life. I know it must be time consuming and
: sometimes frustrating. I was wondering if there would be any type
: of wrap-around services that the state provides for children with
: mr/mh issues? They would be able to offer assistance in social
: situations and ways to conduct himself in a more self sufficient
: manner.You might be able to get information on wrap-around services and social skills from www.amicusforchildren.org Also, there is information on social skills at www.aspergersyndrome.org (see especially bookstore and social skills sections).

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

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: I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any
: friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired,
: and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob,
: calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and
: due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young
: man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and
: since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out
: with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is
: trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not
: handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid
: of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also
: this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other
: teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how
: much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or
: suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a
: rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not
: drive. Thanks for any and all advice.Cindy:I just want to say “bravo” to you for all of the compassion and concern you are showing to this young man. I’m a parent, not a professional, so I’m not sure what kinds of suggestions to give you. I was just browsing around the web site and saw your comments. The world is lucky to have teachers like you. This student might have nothing if it weren’t for you. Just knowing that you are there is probably making a difference in this boy’s life. Good luck and bless your heart.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

Permalink

: I have a student who is in the 7th grade who does not have any
: friends at all. He has an emotional disability, hearing impaired,
: and speech problems. This student will argue with a door knob,
: calls everyone and everything stupid, will not take a bath, and
: due to his hearing impairment talks very loud. He is a sweet young
: man one-on-one and is trying to change but since he is so loud and
: since it is so hard to understand him kids do not want to hang out
: with him. He has no support at home and mom may be MR. Mom is
: trying to get him placed out of the home because she can not
: handle his behavior. We at school think she is trying to get rid
: of him because her boyfriend says either he goes or she goes. Also
: this student weighs about 225 pounds. Me and one of his other
: teacher’s are his best friends and sometimes it drives us mad how
: much he clings to us and wants our attention. Any ideas or
: suggestions for making this kiddos life any better. We are in a
: rural community and have no resources like the Y and mom does not
: drive. Thanks for any and all advice.Cindy:A thought—does the boy have hearing aids? Obviously, he talks loudly because he can’t hear himself speak. Perhaps he needs hearing aids.

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