Would you change a diaper that big?

Question

A student in a Special Education transition program is a 20 year old man who weighs 300 lbs. His diaper is a big as a blanket. He needs to be changed. If you were a Substitute Teacher in that class, would you ...

Change his diaper?

Assist the Aide?

Ask to take your lunch break early?

Don't forget to spray Lysol!

Answer 1

There should be someone, whether it be an aide, nurse, etc.

to accommodate this young man. I know it would be a big job.

I have a 19 year old down syndrome son who weighs 210 pounds. Luckily he was able to be potty trained. Occasionally he still has some accidents and there is a nurse an an aide

who will assist him when necessary. Thank God for them.

To answer your exact question, I would do the duties required for me to do as a substitute teacher, but for me I would also

go beyond that to assist in cleaning this 300lb. young handicapped man, because I have been there to know I am

very thankful that someone would go out of their way for my son when it is necessary.

Answer 2

There are protocols and procedures that must be adhered to, and if I was unfamiliar with them and or the students, then I would have an aide to assist.

Given the age of the young man, I would not do it with out an aide anyway.

You must ensure that you wear gloves, and if you have any cuts on your hands, put on a band-aid before putting on gloves, after changing the person wash yours and their hands, and then spray any surface that has been used, such as the toilet etc.

I will always talk to the person while changing them, this can help relieve theirs and your own nerves, and I encourage them to wash their hands after being to the toilet.

Answer 3

The program must have some sort of protocol about this time of thing.  It probably is your job if you work in that type of program.  I would suggest that because you are a substitute that you would assist the aide because it sounds like something that you are unfamiliar with and it would be advised that another person he in the room (in case something happens and for legal protection)

It is his right to attend the program and also it would be neglect to not do something.  But there has to be a protocol.

Answer 4

As the parent of a nine year old who requires assistance for this type of thing I can assure you that he is none the happier for having someone change his diaper.  

If you are asking this question, you should not be in this line of work.  Providing the supports necessary for someone to live as independently as possible is a very important job.  If you find it gross or beneath you, I strongly recommend you find a different line of work.

Answer 5

If you don't want to do it-don't take the job-only agree to regular ed...

a good school district would link subs to classes where they would be most appropriate-

some people don't have what it takes to deal with special ed students

some people can't relate to young children

some people can't relate to high schoolers..

Each school is different...

Insome schools it is teh soel responsibilty of teh classroom aids-

In some schoold the teacher and the aides share teh responsibility

I knew a recent grad who took a job as a long term sub in an elementary school with a special needs class-she thought she was too good to change diapers just because she had a college degree-that is very insulting to the children and the families-

That 20 year old could have been you-you could've been born that way or had an accident or illness that made you severely disabled-as a senior citizens --you may go back to wearing diapers-how would you like it if people thought they were too good to help you then...

You could become obese due to a medical condition....

basically know the school policy-if teachers are expected to assist with toileting/diapers---then do it

many aides will prefer to take the responsibility themsleves because they know they student and the classroom routines-but if the aide is busy with another student or asks for help-it should be given

school nurses are busy these days-activities of daily living (such as diapering) is genrally left up to teh classroom staff.  Some aides even insert catheters for students (which I am against-that is defiately should be done by at least a nurse aid-not a teacher aid)-the exception would bewitha student without special needs that has an accident due to illness-then the nurse would probably help out

Answer 6

If that was my job then yes, I would be doing it.  If I wasn't prepared to take on my responsibilities then I wouldn't be there would I.

Answer 7

Seems like he should have a nurse to help with that sort of thing or call his mother in to come do it.

Answer 8

You put on your gloves and you do your job. Lack of toileting is NOT a deal-breaker on whether someone can go to school. He doesn't like it any more than you do.

editing - the person below me said it much more diplomatically. Thank you LA!

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Answer 9

Who would be in charge of the classroom while the student was being changed?  When I was a special education teacher I was in charge of the classroom and the aide was in charge of toileting.   I thought I was being nice and took turns with her to do toileting.  Well a situation occurred in the classroom while I was in the bathroom changing a diaper.  It could of been worse but I would have been liable for leaving the class with an unlicensed teacher.  I would say that you stay with the class while the aid takes the student to the bathroom with another aide or to the nurse to change the him.