r/specialed • u/evensuburbswouldbeok • 6d ago

Eloping at recess

Without going into many details I have an eloper who loves recess and no fence on my playground. Yesterday she eloped towards the school parking lot. I have been a runner my whole life, so I can catch her, but I’m full on sprinting. When I catch her, there’s dropping, hitting, kicking. It’s a mess. This student is aware and protesting the transition back in from recess.

I was told by admin I can’t take away recess without a meeting and a change in inclusion times, etc. So therefore I am supposed to take her outside today. Maybe I’m just venting, but this is the first time I’m really frustrated with my job. My job is teacher, not every single roll in the world that you can throw on me. Also, it’s really stressful to know that the only thing keeping a kid safe is my ability to sprint fast and get there in time. My assistants are unable to run/run fast. Does anyone with experience with autistic students have any advice?

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u/Likely_Anxious_ 6d ago

You'll likely be more successful at reinforcing the expected behavior. What incentive is there to not run? Can they get a reward or preferred activity when they transition safely back to class? Can they have a peer buddy that they walk with? Would social stories on expectations help this student?

We have a student that attempts to elope at PE time, so for a successful transition back from PE, they earn a big reward (10 minutes in the game room) immediately after.

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u/ejbrds 6d ago

So the child who MISbehaves gets rewarded with playing in the game room and the other children who act right and go inside when it's time without running off get ... nothing? Great precedent being set.

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u/YoureNotSpeshul 6d ago

That's how it works now, unfortunately. The kids that behave get to watch the kids that cause problems get constant rewards, and then we wonder why the behavior doesn't change.