As a full time student I also have a full time job. I have been watching a little boy since he was 6 years old, now he is 9. When he was born the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck cutting off oxygen to his brain, causing him to have brain damage. He has symptoms like an autistic person, very short fuses and is very sensitive to sound. His name is Alexander. It is very hard to communicate with him because he does not speak. He says some words very clear and trys to say other words but they come out like jibber jabber. Over the years I learned to understand what comforts him and developed an understanding of his language. It's difficult when we go out somewhere if he throws a tantrum because you have everyone staring at you thinking you can't control this child and it 's hard because they don't know his condition. He looks like a normal 9 year old boy. He has his good days and bad days just like everyone else. He has a difficult time in the car he does not like car rides at all.
Alex can be a perfect little angel on moment and then when he doesn't get his way he can turn into a devil in the matter of 1 second. So you never know with him, I try to keep him as occupied as I can. I seriously sit in class and think what I can do with him today to keep him from throwing tantrums. The major issue I have is controlling the hitting, he doesn't do it often but when he does it is very hard to control. He normally will be crabby if he had a bad morning or if something happened at school. Other then those things I mentioned he is always in a good mood.
When Alex is in a good mood he is the funniest little kid in the world. He loves to eat that is what makes him happiest...LOL. He is very playful, he loves to laugh and it takes no effort to make him laugh. He will laugh at anything. If you get hurt he will laugh at that. By far I think this is the best job I ever had. I love his family and most of all him. I love him so much I am going to be sad when I have to quit this job to work in my real profession. He's my perfect little angel...sometimes!!!
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I think it's interesting that you bring up the level of communication towards Alex. It is obvious that there have been barriers that prevent you from speaking to him in certain ways that you would speak to other children. A way to connect this to public school education and for our future teachers is how we need to deal with students of special needs. I think it's fantastic that you have a huge part in this young boys life and you will realize how much it will help you with your patience in the future.
WOW...this sounds like the child I take care of and me! I have been watching an 8 year old since he was 6, and he has two learning disabilites. He was born with hypotonia and dyspraxia. Dyspraxia affects almost everything in a child. His speech, motor skills, ability to learn, and the way his brain regulates emotions. He is the most loving child and is a great kid. He too laughs easily and at almost everything. But he has his days where because his brain can't regulate his emotions, he throws tantrums. This involves running into walls, screaming and crying, and always bangs his head on anything he can. I feel exactly the same way as you do when I am out in public with him and he has one of his fits. I have been spending so much time thinking about what I can do to help him and prevent these fits. But I don't know if anything I do will change how he reacts. I give you tons of credit, because it is a draining job! Im curious to find out more from you about Alex so maybe it will teach me how to work better with the kid I take care of.
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