how to discipline..."hurting other children"

[Ericsmomma]

Ok, just pulled a note out of Eric's backpack from his teacher saying Eric is "hurting" other children. It seems that Eric picks on one little boy in particular and today he "sat" on him...earlier Eric had his arm around him and was "squezzing" him. I feel terrible...
Eric is in a new class this year since he is only going in the afternoon.(5 days per week...2-1/2hrs. per day).
I haven't really met his teacher or aide, but I have an IEP meeting tomorrow morning, and they will be there.
His teacher wanted some suggestions on how to handle Eric's behavior. To be honest, I don't see much of this behavior at home. Sometimes Eric and my granddaughter will get into it over some toy, or he will ruff house with my nephew, but thats about it.
And if i see the behavior getting too aggressive, I usually put him in time out till he calms down.
Anybody have any suggestions? I'm thinking about asking to observe the class since I don't have a clue what he's doing this year. I hate starting out like this...
Dolly

[CC]

Hmmmm well DOLLY, if Time Out works at home I would recommend that school do the same. Since you are having your IEP tomorrow, how about suggesting they get a behavior specialist in the class room to observe and then make recommendations, just a thought but since your Teach is asking you for suggestions makes me think she could use help in this area, KWIM

BEST of LUCK at your IEP tomorrow

CC ~

[Chris]

My guess is that he is getting overstimulated and hugs too hard or pulls at kids. My daughter does this occasionally. The only thing that works with her is to remove her from the other kids. I really don't think she is rough because she is being mean, I think she just gets too excited but we still have to teach her appropriate behavior. Fortunately, her teacher says she hasn't been rough with any kids yet this year.

Chris

[MB]

I would have the para take data. What is happening just before these incidents? There may be a trigger. The trigger doesn't have to come from the victim. Often a kid with Ds will do something like this just so he can be removed from the classroom. What time of day does it happen? Who is in the immediate area? What has the child with Ds been asked to do right before the incident?

Is it happening around 2:00 in the afternoon? For many kids with Ds, 2:00 is shutdown time for them. They have had it and need to be alone thus doing something that will get them out of the classroom for some rest.

Knowing what is going on right before and after the incident may give the IEP team a key to the behavior and thus making the modification, whether that be in his behavior or the adults, much easier to determine.

Good luck!

MB