Need advice about inappropriate behavior from a teacher at my child's school?

Question

My son is autistic, he is high functioning. He is in a special resource class with about 18 other students. Today during class another child flipped him off, this child pesters my son incessantly and for the most part my son ignores it. It is known in my house we do not swear or use inappropriate hand gestures so my son went to the teachers aide and told him what happened the TA proceeded to yell at my son in front of the entire class and tell him that it means nothing, he then put up both of his middle fingers in my sons face and yelled again it means nothing! I find this to be innapropriate beahvior for anyone in this field, I feel that this should be addressed with the principal of the school and he should be repremanded or fired! I will also add that this teachers assistant tells all of the kids to shut up and yells at them on a regular basis these are special need children for gods sake!

Answer 1

All of the TA's behavior - the finger, publicly humiliating your son, yelling at the students, and telling them to shut up - is totally inappropriate in any classroom, especially in a special ed classroom.  If any of my TA's had behaved in such a manner I would have had them removed from my classroom immediately and would not allow them to return.  The teacher and principal are the place to start.  If that doesn't get the desired results, I would lodge a formal complaint with the school board.

Keep advocating for your child's rights at school, as you will have to do that most of the time he is in school, unfortunately.  I know I have had to threaten one of my principals with due process to get what my students had in their IEP.

Answer 2

You are absolutely right. Don't let anyone tell you that you are overreacting. As a teacher, I would NEVER do that to any child, let alone special needs. If my TA or colleague ever did that to a student or class I would address it immediately. I assure you that the teacher will be punished accordingly once you bring it to the principal's attention

Answer 3

I would definitely report it to the principal or even the school district office of personnel. This aide is supposed to be taking care of these kids, not belittling them. If parents don't speak up, administration may never know what goes on behind closed doors. Of course the aide acts like educator of the year if someone comes in the room. It's up to you to make his behavior public. If you know any of the other parents, ask them to speak up, too.

Answer 4

At the very least I would report this to the principle.I would also lodge a formal complaint with the school board,the PTA,and last but not least the board of education.

Answer 5

You are 100% right.  Keep complaining until you get satisfaction.  No one has the right to treat your child like that

Answer 6

DO NOT STAND FOR THIS!!! as i'm sure you already know, you are your childs only real advocate. take it up with the principal and if your not satisfied take it to the school board.your son may have been disturbed today by what happened but he'll be so proud of you that you fought for him. not to mention that if you can get that teacher out or at least rep-remanded, you'll be improving the environment for all the children.

Answer 7

Write down everything that has happened. Who said what, dates, etc. Take this to principal (give it to him) and ask what is going to be done to protect your child. Say if nothing is done within 3 days you will take the letter to superintendent.  (keep a copy of letter for yourself)

This behavior is normal for teachers  for lots of schools across the US

Answer 8

If the aide is inappropriate, demand a meeting with the classroom teacher.  If that doesn't help, talk to the principal.  Realize that these folks don't grow on trees and everyone will be reluctant to let go of a warm body, however inappropriate.

If nothing happens talk to the Special Ed department.  You'll have to find out where this person reports in - the principal of that school or special ed.

Answer 9

You need to be upset with the system that isn't perfect, but demands perfection. Think about it maybe your child isn't deifficult, but can you imagine how hard it is for a teacher to care for just one child in particular ina classroom filled with many. The teacher has to contend with so many other things and to me this sounds like it an elementary class, and in particular Kinder or so. In the lower grades kids are always doing something and whining. I'm not saying that you son is the problem, but once again we expect perfection from a system that isn't perfect. Perhaps private school or some academy if you believe in NCLB then you minus will continue to believe in the Easter Bunny. Request a conference with the parents of the other little boy that should do the trick.

Answer 10

thats terrible! your son is autistic and another child used an inappropiate gesture and the teacher got mad!!!???!!!?? He is a special Ed teacher and he has to be more understanding! talk to the district & school board!

Answer 11

get her out of there I would go directly to the principle with the teacher, it is those poeple like that who I hate working with. I mean working with students with disabilities needs to have more structure and compassion compared to a regular class. This is innappropraite for her to do that infront of the class and making your son look like the bad one. I would fight it she could get easily terminated especially if others saw it and want to testify against her. Makes me discusted. I worked in a class where all the aides (most of them) were all there for themselves and not the kids I don't see how these people get hired>