Brats...Not The Kind You Eat

Recently an event occurred that made me reflect on a few things.

 

Someone was offended by a comment I made saying some kids really ARE brats. Not saying all of them are and it varied from child to child.

It wasn't geared at behavior kids or 'normal' kids.

 

Some kids, no matter what diagnosis they have, ARE brats!

 

Offended? Just wait a minute there and let me explain.

 

Children are children, no matter the diagnosis. If they know that when they act a certain way and you give into what they want; chances are the child will do it again....and again....and again.....and again. It would be a never ending process.

 

Since I am around spectrum kids daily I would like to focus on them being 'brats' in this entry.

 

I am imagining a lot of you are very slamming your fists down, yelling for your other half, or something equally outrageous in response to what I have just said above.

 

There are higher functioning autistic kids who know that when they throw a fit, whine, cry, or scream loudly when you tell them 'no' they will get what they are after.

This would be called 'rewarding the behavior'. I have some students who refuse to eat breakfast because at home they threw a fit when mom/dad said 'no' to having ice cream for breakfast, they magically get ice cream for breakfast.

 

Sorry kid, this is the real world, you can have these cereal options, toast, or oatmeal.

[insert hour long cry session here]

 

They lash out physically when they don't get the reaction they want to the crying.

 

This people would be called a brat. Totally parent created, just like in a 'normal' child.

 

I know kids who will get $50 toys they play with once every time they go to walmart. Why? Mom and Dad hear everyone tsking when their child screams and cries.

 

Ever heard of just leaving and sitting in the car until your child is calm, then explain why we can't get a toy this trip?

 

I don't know how your finances are but around here $50 twice or more a week would break my bank!

 

The first few tries/months of this may be hard but I assure you, it is worth it in the end just to NOT give in to the child, normal or not.

 

Remember: What may be cute and manageable when they are little won't be so cute when they are 25!

 

Food for thought!

 



Why Did I Choose This?

If you follow our Facebook you will know that I read and shared an article by Autism Daddy.

His most recent blog post listed 11 Benefits of Autism.

 

#7 is a thank you to care-takers, teachers, aids, etc.

 

This brings up this post. Why did I choose to work with Autistic children? Not just ASD but other severe psychological disorders? On top of the disorders they have EXTREME behavior issues.

 

Why?

 

This is probably the nicest one I have ever gotten outta my favorite student (yes I have a favorite!). She would dig her nails into your wrist..I had much worse than this and once had someone asked me if I was a cutter!

This again is from my favorite student. This is when it had partially healed. She got me in the face out of the blue (we were decreasing her med so we could clean her system out for a new med), broke my glasses and the screw of the glasses went all the way through the skin, to the bone, and out the lower cut. I actually had no idea I was bleeding profusely from my face until someone said something.

 

 

Some may ask, why is she your favorite if she is so violent? Why is your favorite not the one who just paints with poop? 

 

Don't get me wrong, I adore all my students. Let's call Favorite student A.

 

A is an AMAZING girl who just happened to have sh*tty birth parents with a side of crazy adoptive parents. She was only like this as a product of OTHER humans.

 

I work with them all because they deserve someone who loves them unconditionally. Someone who isn't there to give up. I signed up for getting hit in the face, getting my nose broke, being pooped on.

 

I CHOSE this because I want them to be able to learn to their highest ability.

I CHOSE this because they deserve someone who can keep their temper in check.

I CHOSE this because my students need a voice. A voice who will advocate for them no matter what others may think is 'right' for them.

I CHOSE this because I love seeing them achieve the smallest thing, like rinsing out their breakfast bowl.

I CHOSE this because they deserve to be treated the same as any child their age.

I CHOSE this because I love it.