[englndm]

I am a late-diagnosed Aspie who works as sub teacher's aide which often puts me in the classrooms of children with autism, down syndrome, ADHD, etc.

I could write a book of all my classroom tales. This one would be one of the most unforgettable for 2016...

W., who is 13 or 14, is autistic and has a problem with putting his hands in his pants. Of course, this is not an uncommon problem with boys going through puberty. It's an extra challenge, though, with those who are lower functioning.

The teacher has tried everything she can think of to get him out of the habit, including having him hold an ice pack. That was a suggestion coming from the special ed main office. How would ice help? Well, if he holds the ice pack so long, then when he does his thing, the COLD shock might discourage him from doing it. She tried it but it didn't work.

Another suggestion she tried came from another special ed specialist. It was putting an apron on him whenever he unzipped. She hoped each time he did it and she put the apron on him, he'd associate the behavior with the apron. It didn't work. She eventually had to hang the apron up.

A few days ago, W went to the bathroom and came out of it walking with his pants down to his legs. I kid ya not -- down to his ankles -- pants and underwear both!!!

I was told he had never done this before. I ducked my head down and told the teacher and the two other female aides, "Let me know when the coast is clear and I can look up, please!"

W first went over and stood in front of the teacher's desk who was on the phone trying to maintain her composure. Now I was sitting in a chair that rolls across the room. I decided to roll over to the other side of the room where another aide was. To my horror, W follows me...YIKES! I said, "Ms. M, HELP ME!!!"

Now, folks, when I got up that morning, I could not have expected in a million years I'd be chased that day by a teenage boy with his pants down.
When I tell my friends this story, I swear to them I am not making it up!

W veered off course and went to the bathroom on the aide's orders. She goes to the bathroom and what does W do next? He bends over with his rear facing her and hands her tissue paper. He was wanting her to wipe his butt. She adamantly REFUSED and made him do his own wiping!!!!!!!!!!!

Neither the teacher or the aides could figure out why he pulled this stunt. He has, in the past, been able to go to the bathroom and tend to business. Since he was smiling from ear to ear, I think maybe he was just wanting attention and if so, he sure got MINE!!!

The teacher has sent out a note to the hinterlands asking if any special ed teacher/aide/specialist has any suggestions. Maybe she'll get one that works for W. Or, maybe W will stop on his own. He's going to middle school next year and if it is still a problem, maybe the middle school staff can help him since they probably have more experience with puberty issues than an elementary teacher.

The teacher and the other aides have since kept kidding me about it saying W was now my BFF. I didn't know what BFF stood for. I knew "best friend" was in there somewhere. Well, I got up the nerve to ask admitting my ignorance. Now I'm in the know -- BFF -- BEST FRIEND FOREVER. As for my being Wayne's BFF, I don't think so. HA! I suspect even after W is shipped off to middle school next year, I'll still have the reputation of being the aide who got chased by a student with his pants down.

[Skeezyks]

Hello englndm: Thanks for sharing this. I have an internet friend in the U.K. who works with troubled students. Occasionally he shares a bit of what he experiences with them. So the story you shared here does not surprise me.