An upset mood.....
@arunima25 (93194)
Bangalore, India
February 17, 2020 12:13am CST
I am back from my work. It's 11:30 and I am here enjoying my mid morning snacks and it's strawberries today.
One of the two children whom I deal with in school came in a very upset mood today. I am not sure but it seems he came in a bad mood to school. And what made his mood bad is a mystery. But his behavior showed that he was not okay. He was restless, had non stop self talk with an angered tone and was even hopping and flapping.
So there was not much that I could do with him on academic front. Glad that my other child was cooperative today and I could hand him few worksheets and coloring pages to work on while I could take care of this upset child.
We did wet on wet painting and sticking activities. These activities generally calm him on other days but today he was not interested in them also. So finally I thought of doing some womb rocking and massage. These are few things I learned as a part of my curative education training and have applied it to many children in my years of work. It has an effect. Since he was in restless mood I could not catch him for massage. So I trickly wrapped him around in a sari. I always keep one in my cupboard in case I need it. After he was completely wrapped, I rocked him in my lap for 20 minutes with a soothing humming. When he was calm, I made him lie down on a yoga mat still wrapped like a baby. I gave gentle oil masage to his feet. We learnt the technique in our training. Soon he was fast asleep.
He was still asleep when I left the work time. I have asked the teachers and help to not wake him till he wakes up on his own or his parents come to pick him.
I am sure the therapy has worked. I am still to find out the trigger that made him upset. Maybe a talk to parents later in evening might help.
Now I have some time and mood to be here and mylot. 
20 people like this
18 responses
@YrNemo (20254)
•
17 Feb 20
Your way in dealing with that difficult child was wonderful. Won't be able to use it in my children's schools I guess, since years ago when my kids were tiny, I heard that teachers shouldn't touch the kids (some parents complained because some teachers had a habit of kissing kids, others gave hugs etc).
Regardless, some small kids like to be hugged (& giving hugs) now and then by/to teahcers. Guess that is OK in those schools.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
17 Feb 20
Some kids with certain neurological disorders really benefit from the comforting pressure of a hug or as she did with a snug wrap. In the US some places also have a spandex type sack a child can put themself in. I like the human touch the best, if they tolerate it.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
18 Feb 20
@YrNemo With our younger "regular" kids, hugs can be appropriate. With others it is a high five, fist bump or pat on the back. You do have to be careful. I would never give kisses, though.
2 people like this
@YrNemo (20254)
•
17 Feb 20
@GardenGerty Some kids are really affectionate. They would slobber all over the teachers with kisses and grubby fingers 
.
Re: Kids with some disorders, I guess there are different rules with respect to normal schools? (You are right, those kids could benefit greatly from close contact.)
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Re: Kids with some disorders, I guess there are different rules with respect to normal schools? (You are right, those kids could benefit greatly from close contact.)1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
17 Feb 20
How old are your students? We did some of those things when I worked with very young kids, and for some we do have those options even as older children. From your description I would guess or suppose that the angry child is what the US identifies as autistic. I wish we had more classes like you describe for dealing with our distressed kiddos. Do you use scented oils when you do massage? I work with some students who get stressed out that way.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 That is good to know. Yes, one of my students is autistic, one is not, but when they cannot express their feelings they do get angry.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
This child is almost nine years. The other one is ten. An angry child need not be autistic child.
We avoid scented oils as for few of these children with sensitive senses, the scent itself might trigger stress.
2 people like this
@anil02 (24688)
• India
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 Here is 2 school for this type of children. Most of small kids take time in learning but kinds which are suffer with this disability take more time.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Feb 20
@anil02 The disabilities can not be cured. They stay for lifelong and are a part of the individual forever.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Yes. It's very much different from a typical teacher job. We need a lot more patience and creative thinking. Also need to connect with the child and act spontaneous.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502187)
• Italy
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 I know that they are difficult children, many times shy, they do not like company.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I was glad Anna that it helped him. The same technique might not work with all autistic children in time of their meltdown.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Feb 20
@LadyDuck Yes. They lack social skills and so find tough to have friends or people around them. Also can be sensorially overwhelmed in a strange situation or crowded place.
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
17 Feb 20
You are handling only 2 students at a time?
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
17 Feb 20
Certain studentss, even two is a lot. I work mostly one on one.
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
17 Feb 20
@GardenGerty oh I see. It is not easy to handle special students.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
One at a time. I keep other one busy with something while I attend one. But still both should be within my physical reach and sight so that I can control them.
3 people like this
@sol_cee (38669)
• Philippines
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 ahhh that makes sense. In India, do you need a license to be one?
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
@sol_cee Not a license but a certification after finishing your rigorous training and passing your exam. Plus you need to keep updating yourself with seminars, workshops etc.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I am a special educator and a counselor. I work with special needs children and their families.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
17 Feb 20
it would be good to know the reason/trigger so it can be avoided or find a way how to handle it when it happens
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
20 Feb 20
@arunima25 yes. they are very rigid in their routines.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 Feb 20
@hereandthere Yes... Autism in simple words means oneness.. That's what we were taught in training.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I found out from mom later in evening. Dad was not well and could not bring him in car in morning. Mom dropped him in a two wheeler. That change in his morning schedule was a trigger.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Thank you. I am glad that this trick worked with him. We come to know of the success of any technique only after we apply it.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
You would better know that many days the pre planned things don't work and you need to have the spontaneity to handle the situation.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I am glad Judy that it worked with him. I had not tried this trick for quite some time. But it was a bad uncontrollable meltdown and this trick just popped up in my head.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
17 Feb 20
@arunima25
Sounds like you helped me and helped him fall asleep.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I am glad it worked. He had a bad meltdown and so needed to calm down. He slept till his home time
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
17 Feb 20
I wonder what can be the reason for such a small.child to behave like this
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
It was a slight change in his morning schedule that he was not made ready for. In autism even a small change can be a trigger for stress and meltdown
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 ohh .I can understand this
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Actually there was a slight change in his morning schedule that triggered it. His dad being sick could not drop him in car. Instead mom brought him in two wheeler.
2 people like this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
17 Feb 20
Good job. You're a good therapist. How old is the kid?
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Thank you. This child is almost nine. The other one is ten.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40946)
• Philippines
18 Feb 20
@arunima25 I see you have an interesting job. Anyway congratulation for doing your job well there. Are you a teacher yourself?
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
I was glad that it worked. The child really had a meltdown and was quite challenging to control. We came to know of the trigger. It was a change in his schedule. His dad being sick could not drop him in car. Mom brought him in two wheeler. He was not ready for change.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
@rsa101 I worked as Montessori teacher for few years. Now I work as special Educator and counselor. Work with special needs children and their families.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58468)
• Germany
19 Feb 20
Wow! You did great in handling stressed kid. Keep up the good work. 
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
19 Feb 20
Thank you for your encouraging words.. I am glad that the trick worked.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Thanks dear. I am happy it worked for him.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
18 Feb 20
Glad it worked for him at that time.
1 person likes this
