Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 5/31/2010

Question
I teach the 4 & 5 year old Sunday School at our church. I've had Issac (Age 6) in my room the past several months and I'm unsure of how to help and teach him. He has been labeled PDD-NOS within the past year. His parents seem very much at a loss of how to handle him and give very little instruction to us. We have a very loving community at our church and many well meaning people who want to love on Issac and his family, but we are ignorant and do not even know where to begin. My experience with Issac: I've never heard him speak, he does vocalize repetivly. Generally he wanders and explores. We try to give him free reign and direct him from hazards. He is very oral and will eat most anything if we are not careful. I've had a box of toys that would occasionally hold his attention for 5-10 minutes if one of us sat with him. The box had a rubber texturized ball, some play foam, playdough, and a bead chase. Most recently we have been unable to draw any interest with our toys. We sing together and he does not seem interested although occasionally he will vocalize with us and sway.  Most recently he has been scratching, clawing at the adults in our room. So far we've not had any issues with the other children. He has also begun spitting quite frequently--everywhere.

My heart aches for Issac and I want to love on him and reach him on the level he needs. But honestly, I'm at a loss. Can you make us any suggestions for how to interact with him in our classroom. Any special activites or toys? We would love to set up a learning center for him...whatever that might be.  Where should we start to educate ourselves and find resources for dealing with him? There are several of us who work with the family on a regular basis who are willing to step up and do whatever needs to be done. I think we have successful demonstrated our love for the whole family and Mom and Dad trust us enough to walk away for a few hours and care for Issac and take a much needed break for themselves. We now would like to transistion from "babysitting" to teaching and working with him.  Any advice you might have for us would be very welcome.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to assit us.
Sincerely,
Tracey

Answer
Whew!! Well, that's a lot to handle. I can surely help you, but via writing it out would take me a month. Why don't you just call me and we can talk about it on the phone. My number is 954-980-0134 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              954-980-0134      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. I'll look forward to hearing from you.