Sweetum
03-15-2013, 09:57 PM
DS does a music therapy lesson for a half hour every week. We drive a good half hour to get to the class. The teacher is good with DS and she is very methodical, has good structure, gets him to use full sentences in making requests. While he doesn't learn one instrument or skill in particular the exposure has really helped him be more bold with his singing and gestures/hand movements for songs.
That said, she is, understandably very careful with her instruments and expects the same from the children. I have always found that a bit odd since children on the spectrum don't exactly have impulse control and wondered how she could deal with it.
The first class with her, DS was all over the place. While at the piano he tried to lift a key. I grimaced, I was feeling bad about it, but she yanked his arm away and her long nails hurt DS for a couple of minutes. She apologized to him (I'm not sure he understood that) a few times after that and explained to him why he should not do that.
Today (after being with her for 5 months now), DS did it again after the first time. And she got upset although she kept her cool and did not show it. And she explained to him again why he should not do it - it tears the fabric underneath, it is 62 years old, and is very expensive to repair. And then she proceeded to say that it hurst the piano just as it would hurt DS if she were to hit him with a big hammer. WHAT?!?
And that did get his attention but in a different way - he kept asking her what would happen if she hit him with a hammer. He also did not want to do piano again. She admitted it was not the best choice of things to say. Towards the end of the class he seemingly forgot about it, although knowing DS he won't and will ask again when he sees a piano.
I was NOT happy. I did not show it. But I am not happy. What do I do? is this reason for me to not take him back there, as in, since I did not like what she did in principle and that it definitely scared him. And in my mind this not the first time. I understand that instruments such as those are very valuable, but what I don't get is why she is even offering it?! Shouldn't she be prepared for something like this, mentally or actually? I mean, she is not teaching a typical or a mature kid. I am still a bit upset. To be fair, the rest of the sessions were good and she disciplines him in very appropriate ways. WWYD?
That said, she is, understandably very careful with her instruments and expects the same from the children. I have always found that a bit odd since children on the spectrum don't exactly have impulse control and wondered how she could deal with it.
The first class with her, DS was all over the place. While at the piano he tried to lift a key. I grimaced, I was feeling bad about it, but she yanked his arm away and her long nails hurt DS for a couple of minutes. She apologized to him (I'm not sure he understood that) a few times after that and explained to him why he should not do that.
Today (after being with her for 5 months now), DS did it again after the first time. And she got upset although she kept her cool and did not show it. And she explained to him again why he should not do it - it tears the fabric underneath, it is 62 years old, and is very expensive to repair. And then she proceeded to say that it hurst the piano just as it would hurt DS if she were to hit him with a big hammer. WHAT?!?
And that did get his attention but in a different way - he kept asking her what would happen if she hit him with a hammer. He also did not want to do piano again. She admitted it was not the best choice of things to say. Towards the end of the class he seemingly forgot about it, although knowing DS he won't and will ask again when he sees a piano.
I was NOT happy. I did not show it. But I am not happy. What do I do? is this reason for me to not take him back there, as in, since I did not like what she did in principle and that it definitely scared him. And in my mind this not the first time. I understand that instruments such as those are very valuable, but what I don't get is why she is even offering it?! Shouldn't she be prepared for something like this, mentally or actually? I mean, she is not teaching a typical or a mature kid. I am still a bit upset. To be fair, the rest of the sessions were good and she disciplines him in very appropriate ways. WWYD?