Our Aspergers Teenage Boy

Dad reports:
Tommy scored his first out of school suspension (I call it the “punish the parents plan”) today. On the phone I requested that they have all the details prepared so that I could assess that this was not a consequence of his Asperger’s. The school cannot suspend because of a direct result of a handicap.

According to his teacher he “had a great week” and we know he started off the day well. So what went wrong? I went to the school to find out and got the report that Tommy is “bumping into girls” (his way of trying to flirt and interact) despite having a class on proper flirting which included observations of other students. Hint folks. One “lecture” isn’t going to do it. None-the-less, I’m thrilled to hear they did an exercise like that! To have discusion of flirting and observation of other students is fantastic. Ok. Back to the back. The school tells me that 2nd period fell to piece. Tommy didn’t want to go see the school play so he turned bad. Took a paper clip and poked another child leaving a mark. Would that be like the bloody mark in Tommy’s side from when he was stabbed with a pencil earlier in the year (no report sent home), or like the mark in his arm where another student “poked” him with something? He was intentionally bumping into girls. Slamming locker doors making a general nuisance. And yelling at the teacher. All this was told to me at the school.

It could have been left there but at home I wanted Tommy to review with Mom. He tries to get out of it so I prompt him to describe his day from the beginning. He growls at me then says “First period was English. We had a substitute that didn’t know what he was doing.” *pause* *blink* *blink* Ok. The school conveniently failed to mention this. It is noted in Tommy’s IEP paperwork and well documented in Asperger’s children that substitute teachers send them over the deep end. Now I’m mad.

References:
Asperger Syndrome: Guide for Teachers-

Let him know, if possible, when there will be a substitute teacher or a field trip occurring during regular school hours.

Field trip, substitute teachers, parties and other days that do not follow the normal routine will be difficult…

Create a standard way of presenting change in advance of the event. A key
phrase like “Today will be different” may be helpful if used consistently. You
may want to explain the changes — for example, a substitute teacher —
privately as well as with the class.

Tips for Teaching High-Functioning People with Autism by Susan J. Moreno -

Prepare the student for all environmental and/or routine changes, such as assembly, substitute teacher, rescheduling, etc. Use his written or visual schedule to prepare for change.