Child with several disabilities

[lenoxs]

I am actually a student nurse, but asking this question on behalf of my mother who is an elementary special education teacher.

She has a student who has been diagnosed with autism, seizure disorder (unknown specifcally what, sorry!), and MR. I am unsure of the medications he is taking as my mother is not sure and the parents will only discuss his health with the school nurse. Anyway, his behavior has changed dramatically lately, he is very aggressive..biting,kicking,hitting,spitting...and at times very lethargic as well, sleeping for 2 hours during the day. Could this be related to meds? My mother and the other teacher's assistants in her room are at the point where he can almost no longer be controlled. Today, she had to restrain him with the MAT hold 4 times so as to not cause harm to himself or others. His parents don't see anything wrong with him and refuse to seek any further medical care. Is there anything my mom or the school can do as far as having him committed to a hospital somewhere for monitoring and evaluation so this poor child can have some help?

[jenn27]

This doesn't sound like a cut and dry situation, I am sure there are a lot of factors we are not aware of. The child may need a one on one threw the day. Routine is very important. If the routine of my residents is disrupted it causes major behavior problems. Tell you mom to be patient and to try and respond the same way each time a behavior occurs.

good luck

[jenn27]

In addition, i don't see how taking this child from his parents and having him committed would be the best solution, in fact the idea very much upsets me! I am not saying there are not some children that are not severely disturbed but this doesn't seem to be so in this case. I think everyone involved needs educated on the situation. You just can't medicate a child into a stupor because he hits and kicks, if he is already in a special class, maybe a special school is the answer where there are plans to follow for certain behaviors.

[lenoxs]

Actually, this student's day in the classroom is very routine. I agree that it probably would not be in his best interest to be removed from his parents, however his parents are actually somewhat of the problem. I asked my mom some more about the situation and she said that his parents don't always comply with his medication regimen and have actually told them in the morning before school that they have forgotten his medication. I was in no way insinuating that he should be "locked up" and put into a medication-induced stupor. I apologize if I came across that way. I simply think it may be to his benefit to be hospitalized just long enough for his behavior and medication regimen to be evaluated and to make sure nothing needs to be adjusted. Unfortunately, his parents don't see a problem and are blind to his changes in behavior, so they would never seek attention themselves on his behalf. And I personally feel that before he was put into a "special school" and removed from the one he is familiar with, the above action should be taken. Thanks for your response!