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To: Reactionary
Drivers of school buses for Special Care Children should absolutely have an understanding of the fact that they are not dealing with normal children. That these kids have special needs and therefore need special care from all those involved in the program. I would be concerned, not only for your son but those other children who are riding the bus to the day care.

I don't know how much your child can understand in terms of behavior modification but I would explain to him what is expected of him when on the bus in terms of being quiet and staying in his seat. I would suspect the other adult individual on the bus is there for the specific assignment to take care of these special needs children. Your child is not the only one on the bus with special needs.

Have you spoken to his teachers as to whether or not this behavior is prevalent during his classes, or is it isolated to the bus trip? How does he relate to other children while at Day Care? I would suggest spending some time with your son's teachers to better understand his daily behavior at school to determine whether it's the bus driver or if he is in need of a more structured environment for his needs.
You need to be armed with facts before approaching the school, IMHO.

If it turns out he is a cooperative student within his classes and with other students, then I do think it is appropriate to request a meeting with the principal and if possible his teacher(s) to discuss the bus driver issue.

When it comes to special needs children it may require additional help for the child or there are just mean-spirited bus drivers who have problems themselves. Your son's school does not need an inept bus driver who does not understand the limitations and/or behavioral problems associated with transporting children to a Special School.

If you son is behaving in school then I say the bus driver and the school has some explaining to do as to why this driver is being allowed to drive fragile youngsters to a place where they are to get help, not harassment.
One other thought is whether you could ride on the bus with your son to see for youself exactly what is going on and how he and other children are being supervised on their way to school. It might just be worth taking the time to go on an unannounced trip to school on the bus with your son.
Just MHO
28 posted on 01/12/2006 5:56:17 PM PST by not2worry (What goes around comes around.)
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To: not2worry
I don't know how much your child can understand in terms of behavior modification but I would explain to him what is expected of him when on the bus in terms of being quiet and staying in his seat. ( not2worry)


Phil,

Why not try what the mothers in my church do? Everyday, they take their little children and they "practice" church. They sit with their arms folded, and the mother reminds the children of what behavior is expected during church service. The entire exercise takes about 5 minutes and the mothers make a big game of it.

Why not try this with your son? Take 5 minutes every day and "practice" appropriate bus riding manners and etiquette.
69 posted on 01/12/2006 7:00:46 PM PST by wintertime
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