It was Friday of week two in the class at the adult transition center.
Two of the students remain outside due to their not wearing masks. (I'm not sure if they won't keep them on or if they can't.) I mentioned Doris last week. Domingo is the other.
Domingo has a one-to-one aide (an instructional assistant whose only job is to shadow the student and assist in whatever they need to be assisted with), but on this day Domingo's one-to-one was out sick. He had a sub (who's worked at the school many times and knows the students well), Sadie.
It was lunchtime, and while the students ate, two of the instructional assistants also went to take their lunch. I was outside along with Krissa (who's the primary IA for the class), watching.
Domingo came up to me, and out of nowhere, shoved me.
I had been warned by his usual one-to-one that Domingo did have outbursts and was known to hit others from time to time. Thus far, I had only gotten a couple pokes, but mostly smiles and moans (he doesn't really speak).
The incident escalated. From my incident report:
It was lunchtime. I was standing outside, near the classroom doorway, when Domingo approached. He seemed irritated. He shoved me. I attempted to get out of his way.
He again came towards me. He grabbed my arms, digging his fingernails in, especially on my right arm (he did break the skin in a couple places, but the cuts weren't deep enough to bleed). I said, "Ow" and "Ouch". I attempted to get out of his grasp. He held on. I finally was able to extricate myself, and I headed away from him.
Domingo followed me. I ran. Krissa and Sadie managed to corral him away from where the rest of the students were. He went after them. Eventually he went into the garden, away from everyone else.
He really got Krissa. Her arm was way more scratched up than mine, and she left shortly thereafter to see a doctor as Domingo had grabbed her thumb. (I wouldn't be surprised if it was dislocated.)
Domingo was put in the garden where he seemed to calm down. His parents picked him up a short time later.
We have no idea what set him off. However, having all the change with a sub for his teacher and a sub for his one-to-one aide was probably a contributing factor.
That school definitely keeps me on my toes.
Oh my! I hope you’re ok.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons my daughter Jen chose to quit being a TA and look for other work, she was a one-on-one for a student who grabbed her around the neck and tried to choke her.
Drew has worked in group homes, and as a special Ed teacher in both public and private schools. But the not time he got hurt? Breaking up a fight in a junior high cafeteria. One of the kids punched him. Hard enough to break the bones around his eye socket,
Getting in the middle of a fight is never a good idea, but someone has to break it up.
DeleteOh, how awful! Sounds frightening. Is there a policy that if this happens too often (once is too often) the students can't come back?
ReplyDeleteIn the general ed population, probably. But he has the mentality of a small child. He gets more chances, I believe.
DeleteI am struggling with what to say. Domingo. Violence. Schools. Anger. Times are strange.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the times. He was like this in prior times, too.
DeleteHi Liz - so difficult and I agree with Susan's comment ... a real challenge - I just hope you're ok and both of you are being supported ... with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'll say. Sounds scary.
ReplyDeleteBoth my late childhood best friend (a 4th grade teacher) and a cousin (a public school speech therapist now retired) were assaulted in their careers and neither was recent. I think it's more common than many people know, and I have so much respect for teachers for that and other reasons.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. It happens. I had managed to avoid it up until now.
DeleteWow. Sounds like he needs a security guard with him at all times. I know kids must go to school, but when one is a danger to others, that's a problem.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a bit of a gray area as to what to do. He does have that one-to-one.
DeleteOh my!! I hope you are Ok as well as the other teacher. What kind of school are you in right now? This has to be a special school but these kids can be dangerous so why are there not certain guards who have knowledge about how to deal with these problem kids.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a special school. For the most part, they aren't dangerous, but we have all sorts of aides just for this sort of occurrence.
DeleteYikes!
ReplyDeleteWhen they are adult sized it can be quite dangerous. I'm glad you were okay and I hope the other sub was too.
ReplyDeleteO, goodness! Scary. Lucky you could get away in time. I hope his condition gradually improves.
ReplyDeleteAlso, shouldn't such kids be in a different school?