Do you see that??? Yup, that's my Sassy in ballet...looking up someones skirt. I was hoping (and praying) that ballet would go smoothly, but I guess I wasn't thining. I forgot that Sassy has never been in a "typical" class of any kind. She is used to therapy, which is centered on Sassy and when she would get bored, they would follow her need and adapt to her. I also didn't take her sensory issues into consideration. Ummm...is it a good idea to put a child with SPD in a room that echos and all 3 walls are made of mirrors. hmmm...okay, so maybe I should have thought that one through a little more. I was so excited that she no longer needed therapy that I couldn't wait to get her into a class with her peers.
She has admitted to me that she is bored in ballet and it is time to look for something new to try. She also has let me know that she doesn't want to quit (wooohoo!). The teacher (who is aware of Sassy's diagnosis) recently pulled me aside and asked me if I had any suggestions to help Sassy while in class. After much brainstorming with my mom ("Nana"), we came up with a plan. We would have Sassy play in front of a mirror to get used to the mirror, and we would practice waiting. I talked with Sass about the plan and it semmed things were good. Well, that is until Wednesday came and I realized we hadn't done any of it. (grrrr....I'm aggravated with myself but trying to cut myself some slack, it's not like we don't have anything going on.) We took 10 minutes before we left to practice waiting and she did well. That day back at class she did well and I relaxed a bit. The following week she did "okay" (that is when this pic was taken).
Last week was AWFUL! She was all over the place! You could tell the other kids in the class were aggravated with her, she was obviously a disruption in the class. Then when the teacher wasn't looking (and I was focused on Peanut at the time) she found her way into something she shouldn't and bumped her head. The teacher took her out of the class crying. Her head was fine, but the teacher had mentioned that Sassy had said she needed to use the potty. I checked her head, then dragged her to the bathroom. She threw a fit. I then had to practically carry her out of the building kicking and screaming. She was upset because she wanted to go back to class, but at this point it was over anyway.
Now tomorrow is Wednesday and I just don't know what to do. I don't want to pull her from class because it's good for her to learn how to act in these types of settings. I also don't want to show her that when things get tough you quit. My problem is that I don't want her to disrupt the class for the other girls. They all paid for the class just like we did, and I don't really know when to draw the line with her.
So that is my ballet "trouble" Thoughts? Suggestions?
GOD BLESS!
Try one more time and do some prepping before class it seemed that worked a little the first time....maybe pull her early from class before things get too hairy ( if you can gage that).....my Mya cries every class when I drp her off and we have been there a year. And half way through she just starts running....I feel your pain but keep trying! Sounds like your teacher us understanding and willing to work with you so that is good...half the battle!
ReplyDeleteThe teacher is VERY understanding. We went for the "three strikes and your out" rule and she did well! Thanks for the suggestions!
DeleteHey Gail!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby Jeff's aunt owns The Dancing Corner on main st. in Nashua above the pizza shop, and they have started a theraputic dance class for our kiddos. They also have ballet for typical littles that happens to be led by one of the supervising BCBA's at Autism Bridges, so even though it isn't aba based, she's totally capable of handling things correctly. Selah hasn't started yet, but if you do wind up taking a break, maybe we could start the girls together there in the spring? xo
That would be great! We are going to take a little break oer the winter. She told me she wants to do ballet but go somewhere else so that would work out perfect! Let me know when! :-)
DeleteYou might try adding a social story specifically about her ballet class describing exactly what she is/is not supposed to do. When my now 7 yr old, who has aspergers, was preschool age social stories worked really well. We were trying to reintegrate him into a typical preschool class and he was having some trouble out on the playground. We made up a social story that we read daily and I'm telling you it helped soooo much. He now is in regular 1st grade ANSI receiving no services at all and is doing remarkable. Give the social story a try!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE the social story idea! I can't believe I didn't think of that! Thanks for the great suggestion (tucking that into my back pocket) :-)
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