I call him Pizza because he likes to say "pizza" randomly throughout the day. He wears a mask with pizzas on it. He is very much a fan. But when it comes time to select where we're going to eat on our eating out days, Pizza usually chooses something else.
Going off campus and purchasing food is curricular. These students have developmental disabilities, and this is one way we train them to be independent. We take the city bus. They have to bring enough money to pay for what they want. And we go over how much they spent after we return.
And as a group, they choose where they're going to go. Pizza usually gets his way. (We've been trying to get the other students to speak up when Pizza pushes them to go where he wants, but they generally go along. If you've ever tried to figure out where to eat with a group, you know how often no one has an opinion. Pizza always has an opinion.)
This time, Pizza wanted Burger King. And the rest of the class agreed.
It was Tuesday. (This was the week before winter break. I saved these stories for when we're back in school.) Rain had been forecast, and sure enough, it was raining.
I really, really, really didn't want to go out in it. We were taking the bus. The bus stops aren't sheltered. It was windy and cold.
I told the class we wouldn't go out. They were not happy about it. See, they usually go out in whatever weather it happens to be. And I get it, they should be able to navigate the weather. That's what independence is about.
So, I gave in. We went out in it.
Luckily, it wasn't too bad while we were outside. We barely got rained on.
We got to the mall. We ate at Burger King.
Pizza, however, did not. Pizza did not come to school that day. The weather. It sounded like his mother did not want him going out in the rain.
Upon his return, Pizza informed me that he really wanted to go to Burger King.
He'll just have to convince the rest of the class to go along with him. Again.
As he usually gets his way, I don't think it'll be a hard sell. Although, they just went, and the class doesn't like to repeat right away. We'll see.
I wonder what would happen if a kid with equally strong opinions showed up in class.
ReplyDeleteThe teaching you are doing is truly important. Would you believe my autistic brother in law, now in his 60's, is only now learning to use city paratransit (a service for those too disabled to use regular mass transit). There was no education anything like this when he was growing up in the 60's.
ReplyDeleteAnd they know the bus system better than I do. Which is not surprising, really. I'm catching on. They can really get around quite well.
DeleteI'm always going to think this, you should be getting so many raises and bonuses for all of the hard work you do. I wonder if the parents know and realize how you go that extra, extra, extra mile... You are a blessing, Liz and the kids and their families are incredibly lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteRaises would be nice. But, alas, subs are the last to get them. (Although, with the shortage, you'd think they would try to up the pay ;)
DeletePizza may become a politician in a few years.
ReplyDeleteYikes!
DeleteI doubt that. If you ever talked to him, you would see how that would be beyond his capabilities.
DeleteHe’s such a fan of pizza, but he wanted Burger King … interesting kid.
ReplyDeleteApparently he doesn't live by pizza alone.
DeleteSounds as if you really have your hands full. I like Burger Queen and I crave a pizza from time to time. Pizza is not really something I want all that often. Hoping your Friday is a good one.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Neither do I want pizza all the time. None of us do.
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