WV - Teacher swipes mic from autistic boy set to perform in Thanksgiving play

[ZooSleuth]

I think the best solution here would be to make her do some mandatory training in how to handle/treat kids with disabilities. It's not something she should be fired for but it's also not appropriate to turn a cheek to it.

 

[Eloise]

i don't believe in autism anyway, IMO its just an excuse for kids to act out because they have never been told not to do so, or have not been raised properly,

http://addictinginfo.org/2012/02/27/dr-humphreys-autism-isnt-real-its-just-bad-parenting/

Wow. Just wow. Very ignorant.

Autism is very real and causes very real disability. My autistic son is non-verbal and processes sensory information completely differently from neurotypical children. It has nothing to do with his upbringing (his sister is neurotypical) and he is perfectly well-behaved, he just has a disability.

Educate yourself.

 

[human]

I learned as a teacher in a training that giving one child what s/he needs is not going to make everyone in the class want it too, Children cn understand when things are explained to them and discussed.

When my girls were young we went to the dance recitals. There were always the ones who sat down or took their tutu's off or did not follow the dance steps. It was amusing.

I am astounded that people would think that a child with special needs should be disciplined in that silly situation, There is plenty of time to teach behavior all day everyday in the classroom.

Parents would be jealous because that child got the mic three times? I hope not.

Most kid's programs are boring. That is the way it is

 

[JeannaT]

I learned as a teacher in a training that giving one child what s/he needs is not going to make everyone in the class want it too, Children cn understand when things are explained to them and discussed.

When my girls were young we went to the dance recitals. There were always the ones who sat down or took their tutu's off or did not follow the dance steps. It was amusing.

I am astounded that people would think that a child with special needs should be disciplined in that silly situation, There is plenty of time to teach behavior all day everyday in the classroom.

Parents would be jealous because that child got the mic three times? I hope not.

Most kid's programs are boring. That is the way it is

Well, I don't think he should have been disciplined - at all. I don't even think the teacher should have instructed him to leave the stage - that, in my opinion, would have led to him likely refusing to do it and everyone would be staring at him.

It was time, in my opinion, to stick a fork in that awful play and end it and get on with the day. And if that meant stopping it before he took a second unauthorized trip to the mic, that's that.

 

[Woodland]

Well, I don't think he should have been disciplined - at all. I don't even think the teacher should have instructed him to leave the stage - that, in my opinion, would have led to him likely refusing to do it and everyone would be staring at him.

It was time, in my opinion, to stick a fork in that awful play and end it and get on with the day. And if that meant stopping it before he took a second unauthorized trip to the mic, that's that.

UBM - well who wrote the play? The teacher? Someone else?

'Stick a fork in it' is not very social imo and therefore a poor teaching tool for children - regardless of abilities. There has been wonderful alternative actions presented here - let's hope that will be the norm.

Who wants to see our future 'stick a fork in it' as the norm? Who wants to see kids 'swipe' toys/tools away from others? Who wants to see a kid take revenge in the future due to a humiliating experience?

Lessons are easily forgotten imo. Today is not yesterday.

 

[JeannaT]

UBM - well who wrote the play? The teacher? Someone else?

'Stick a fork in it' is not very social imo and therefore a poor teaching tool for children - regardless of abilities. There has been wonderful alternative actions presented here - let's hope that will be the norm.

Who wants to see our future 'stick a fork in it' as the norm? Who wants to see kids 'swipe' toys/tools away from others? Who wants to see a kid take revenge in the future due to a humiliating experience?

Lessons are easily forgotten imo. Today is not yesterday.

I'm not quite sure what you're saying. "Stick a fork in it", is shortened from "stick a fork in me, I'm done", kind of a slang way for saying I'm out of here. Refers to food being "done".

I think sometimes, kids have humiliating experiences and it makes them stronger. The more appropriate response, IMHO, for the mother would be to tell her child well, sweetie, you were a great turkey and you did have two turns at the microphone. Did you notice the other kids only had one? So really, you got something extra.

When we treat our children like delicate little cupcakes and try to avenge every slight they might experience, we sell them way, way short, IMHO. I'm not quite sure why he was allowed to continue to go back on stage, but I think it was probably because the teachers didn't want to embarrass him by going up there and retrieving him. And then, thankfully that whole awful production was over and it was time to shut it down.

I don't know who wrote that "play". Maybe it's one they do every year - and I can see that it would have some educational value. But holy cow what a boring, long drawn out production that no one could understand and the natives were clearly becoming restless.

If that line he was about to ad lib was his only line in the production, and he was purposely denied that, I would feel absolutely completely differently and would feel he was truly wronged. As it is, some kids are kind of stage hogs and you can't always accommodate that.

 

[bluesneakers]

I'm not quite sure what you're saying. "Stick a fork in it", is shortened from "stick a fork in me, I'm done", kind of a slang way for saying I'm out of here. Refers to food being "done".

I think sometimes, kids have humiliating experiences and it makes them stronger. The more appropriate response, IMHO, for the mother would be to tell her child well, sweetie, you were a great turkey and you did have two turns at the microphone. Did you notice the other kids only had one? So really, you got something extra.

When we treat our children like delicate little cupcakes and try to avenge every slight they might experience, we sell them way, way short, IMHO. I'm not quite sure why he was allowed to continue to go back on stage, but I think it was probably because the teachers didn't want to embarrass him by going up there and retrieving him. And then, thankfully that whole awful production was over and it was time to shut it down.

I don't know who wrote that "play". Maybe it's one they do every year - and I can see that it would have some educational value. But holy cow what a boring, long drawn out production that no one could understand and the natives were clearly becoming restless.

If that line he was about to ad lib was his only line in the production, and he was purposely denied that, I would feel absolutely completely differently and would feel he was truly wronged. As it is, some kids are kind of stage hogs and you can't always accommodate that.

You said "Stick a fork in that awful play." I understand what "stick a fork in it" means - it was done, it was over, whatever, but why awful? Why would the teacher and kids and parents put effort into an awful play and be in a hurry to end it? I find that really odd.

BBM: Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Woodland]

I'm sure the mother did pick up the ball as did the father. That is not up for debate so far - unless one wants to take it there.

The discussion so far is - 'was the teachers actions appropriate' in the moment? One can try and distract from that, but it's still there.

Unable to see so far any reason not to paint the teacher as a bully. The superintendent 'assuring' everyone that a 'mistake' happened doesn't make it so. People are clearly seeing two sides - which one is correct?

 

[JeannaT]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Did you watch the play? Honestly, I've sat through a lot of children's productions and I don't know why they thought that format was a good idea.

 

[JeannaT]

I'm sure the mother did pick up the ball as did the father. That is not up for debate so far - unless one wants to take it there.

The discussion so far is - 'was the teachers actions appropriate' in the moment? One can try and distract from that, but it's still there.

Unable to see so far any reason not to paint the teacher as a bully. The superintendent 'assuring' everyone that a 'mistake' happened doesn't make it so. People are clearly seeing two sides - which one is correct?

Well, I'm seeing both sides of the possibilities. The teacher was really ready to be done with this, the turkey child had 2 lines already, don't know what behaviors she might have been dealing with during the play, maybe it had run over time, I don't know.

I see that she was a little harsh in yanking the mic, or I see the possibility that she might have thought the finality in which she yanked the mic might have been perceived as kind of funny. The audience was laughing already, maybe she thought she was adding to the atmosphere. I really don't know.

 

[Woodland]

I'm not quite sure what you're saying. "Stick a fork in it", is shortened from "stick a fork in me, I'm done", kind of a slang way for saying I'm out of here. Refers to food being "done".

I think sometimes, kids have humiliating experiences and it makes them stronger. The more appropriate response, IMHO, for the mother would be to tell her child well, sweetie, you were a great turkey and you did have two turns at the microphone. Did you notice the other kids only had one? So really, you got something extra.

When we treat our children like delicate little cupcakes and try to avenge every slight they might experience, we sell them way, way short, IMHO. I'm not quite sure why he was allowed to continue to go back on stage, but I think it was probably because the teachers didn't want to embarrass him by going up there and retrieving him. And then, thankfully that whole awful production was over and it was time to shut it down.

I don't know who wrote that "play". Maybe it's one they do every year - and I can see that it would have some educational value. But holy cow what a boring, long drawn out production that no one could understand and the natives were clearly becoming restless.

If that line he was about to ad lib was his only line in the production, and he was purposely denied that, I would feel absolutely completely differently and would feel he was truly wronged. As it is, some kids are kind of stage hogs and you can't always accommodate that.

UBM - 'Not sure'? Then why protect and make excuses for the action of 'swiping' the mic by the teacher?

An 'extra turn' (mentioned more than once) strikes me as a very immature thought - like the child in question might have had. Jmo.

 

[Goodship_Lollipeep]

Sorry for off topic, but re the guy who says Autism is not real, check out Israeli Defense force Unit 9900, i thought it was interesting that Israel would form a whole special intelligence unit populated only by autistic soldiers if it was not real.

https://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/04/10/autism-idf-meet-soldiers-intelligence-unit-9900/




Because of their extreme sensitivities these kids suffer a lot. But in adulthood many of these kids who got treated lower than *** **** in public school are lauded for "irreplaceable skills".

Whether or not i parent my own son again, i hope strangers don't treat him like he's worthless.

These people are actually very useful and are capable of a lot more than folks assume. Not to mention they must have *some* self control or more bad things would be going dow. Imo.

Also, higher functioning doesn't mean better person.
Aspergers actually tend to be more psychopathic than the more severely affected ASD people -- thats my latest personal DX and not necessarily fun to be.

My hugest regret in life?? Not seeing how special my child was until he was out of my home. School should not be like an abusive home, teachers are supposed to be trained and have some patience.



My kid isn't even 10 yo yet and he's been put in a headlock at his former school and put in the so called Closet.

This stuff unfortunately does still happen in America and people are getting paid to provide this care.....

 

[JeannaT]

UBM - 'Not sure'? Then why protect and make excuses for the action of 'swiping' the mic by the teacher?

An 'extra turn' (mentioned more than once) strikes me as a very immature thought - like the child in question might have had. Jmo.

Why not protect her since I'm not sure? Why jump all over her if there is a good chance she didn't mean any harm?

And I don't know what you're saying with the last line.

 

[Woodland]

The last word belongs to you JennaT. Doesn't make you right in the eyes of others though.

 

[CoolJ]

Remember back in the day when a bully was someone who beat the **** out of you and took your lunch money?

These days a bully is someone who looks at you with a mean face.

Times have certainly changed in a hurry.

 

[Spellbound]

Longer version of the presentation at https://youtu.be/eCrzfrmMFn4

 

[Woodland]

Remember back in the day when a bully was someone who beat the **** out of you and took your lunch money?

These days a bully is someone who looks at you with a mean face.

Times have certainly changed in a hurry.

Just your opinion right?

 

[human]

If we treated children with respect then I know we would have a different world. And that does not mean spoiling or coddling but treating them like people with feelings.

We would not be reading on here about the murders and other violence if children were treated respectfully. I cannot think of one murderer who grew up in a loving home. There always are severe issues. And no, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer did not have loving homes

 

[CoolJ]

Just your opinion right?

Well yeah, my opinion based on what I see people calling "bullying" these days.

 

[JeannaT]

If we treated children with respect then I know we would have a different world. And that does not mean spoiling or coddling but treating them like people with feelings.

We would not be reading on here about the murders and other violence if children were treated respectfully. I cannot think of one murderer who grew up in a loving home. There always are severe issues. And no, Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer did not have loving homes

Well, I certainly agree with you that the prisons are full of adults who were abused as children. I know it's popular in our culture to think if you don't discipline your child he's likely to end up in jail - but the opposite is true. Children who grow up to be criminals most always had very rough home lives.

But I also really believe we are robbing our children of the ability to soldier on through adversity, and rally on to succeed. It kind of seems like everyone wants the chance to be a victim of something. Used to be kids took great pride in being strong - "I ain't a-skeered", "I'm rubber, you're glue, what you say bounces off me and sticks to you".

It is an interesting question, what would life be like if no one was EVER treated unfairly or with disrespect EVER. I really do find that an interesting question. But since due to practicality, it won't ever happen, it's best IMHO to arm children with the ability to move on after a perceived slight.

Edited to add: And so, in that light, I think the mom might have told her son that she was sorry he didn't get his third chance to speak, but the program was great and people liked his performance. And then make an appointment with the principal and teacher to view the video of the last few seconds of the performance, and ask that the teacher apologize to her son. I don't think taking this public - where his name is forever out there as the child dressed in a turkey outfit will follow him for a long time, and the whole community is left to gossip whether this was deserved or not.