What is required of a teacher or para professional? Are public schools required to provide people to change diapers of elementary students who aren't potty trained and are physically and mentally handicapped? Has anyone had to deal with this?
I know there are several kids who need diapers changed in our Life Skills classes. Usually the para does it, but I know the teacher would do it also if needed.
It appears as though the medical field has crossed lines with the world of education I'm guessing it falls under a "need" which is varied by child in spec ed. I don't work with students with a need such as that, but if that were the case, I guess it would be part of my job - I may request a para of the same sex to handle it if possible.
Students in my building who need toileting assistance have a one-on-one para. When would a teacher have time to do diapering? I don't have that time- my schedule is time compressed as far as my classroom/ student-teacher contact time. When the kids go to a 'special', that's my prep time (and maybe I get to go to the bathroom MYSELF!!)
Well Ultimately the teacher is responsible for the student and that includes diapering, I know many paras do it, but if you are using a lift and the studetn falls out while a para is doing it, then both the teacher and para are at fault but the teacher more because that is their responsibility. Same if the students gets a diaper rash at school from not being change, and the para did not change it, the person that will get called on the rug will be the teacher. But, yes at our school the Para does change diapers, the only reason I went on this tireade is because our teacher in that class had the para changing the childs diaper and our students are teeanagers and there was an issue with the whole diapering thing and the teacher spouted off , well it is my paras fault she changes the diapers and the school board said, no it is your fault you are the teacher, if the para is changing you need to be in there too to make sure the students best interest were at hand. the aid was saved from her job but on probation and the teacher fired.
I agree, You won't have time. If you are alone, have another adult with you in your class to supervise, and also to CYA (Cover your ...)
This definitely a charged issue for some (I'm one of them) If I was ever told I would be responsible for changing diapers, I would quit. That is NOT teaching.
the other poster is from missouri, so the answer...in the U.S. yes. the school must meet the needs of a student with exceptionalities unless this is unfeasible, in which case the school must provide adequate funding and transportation for a child to attend another school that can. that is not a direct quote but the gist of how the Americans with Disabilities Act works in our school system.
Canadian Teacher.....this is part of being a special ed teacher who works with severely handicapped children. I don't think this is "below" anyone, nor does it have anything to do with being in "medicine". This is part of helping children who for very sad reasons beyond their control, are unable to help themselves. It is compassion and caring, and yes, it IS teaching......it teaches others patience, kindness, compassion, and understanding(after all, isn't THAT a BIG part of what teaching is all about?) It is a good thing special ed teachers are able to do what they do......they are very special angels indeed.
while this may not have been teaching... in the past. And I agree that there has been a shift in what teacher's are expected to do and teach. Part of the teacher's role is to try to meet the needs of all students. I believe that if a teacher did take the extra effort to care for ALL students, well that would be a lesson for the children itself.
Before we decide that we wouldn't do something to help a student in any way, maybe we should all ask ourselves, "What if this was MY child? How would I like the teachers to help them?" We all need to keep our feet on the ground and not think we are above some of the less appealing jobs we encounter as teachers. A degree is useless if we have that kind of attitude.
I agree, Grammy Teacher. If I had a child like that, I would hope & pray that there are some kind souls out there who wouldn't mind working w/ my child, but I'd know that they really don't want to do it. I mean let's be honest, who really wants to do that unless it's diapering your own baby? But of course each person has the right to be as picky as they want regarding what kind of teacher they want to be. That doesn't mean someone is above it all if they don't want that type of job. If a person doesn't mind diapering, wiping saliva, etc., I say more power to them because it definitely takes a certain type of person to do that. I'd never want to do it myself, but then, I'd never want to teach middle school or high school either. I was very picky with the type of job I wanted. I may have had to wait longer, but I got my first choice position & the timing was actually perfect in my life. No one has to settle for this or that. If you don't really want to do something, don't do it.
Well, I don't like helping out with the laundry at work. I just don't have time. I'll have to tell that to my co-teachers today and they will just have to it.And, when one of my kids has a bathroom accident(even though I was not hired to change kids,) I just won't change them. I'll make someone else do it. Ha! Just think ... there is always someone else to do the ---- jobs.
I have done so many times. The goal (depending on the disability) is to either train the child to use the bathroom or to teach the child to change him or herself. It may not fall under the general guidelines of teaching, but it is life and social skills training/teaching. I agree that we should always ask, "What if this were my child?" When I went into teaching I knew that there was much more to it than "teaching."
I disagree with your interpretation on the responsibilities of a teacher. It is my understanding that any teacher is responsibile for any student's well being. Whether that be academically, emotionally, physically or, just plain loving them for who they are. I would hope that if ever in a situation where a diaper needed to be changed, you would do what needed to be done (kindly), then... look for another job
I'm not a special education teacher, but have worked in inclusion settings with many spe. ed. students. In my experience, any child that has disabilities that require bathroom assistance or other specific needs (feeding, etc) has a one-on-one para with him/her at all times. The classroom teacher (spe.ed.teacher or otherwise) isn't usually required to do these things on a regular basis, but would definitely be expected to if the need arose and the para was not around.
changing diapers Hear, hear! I have been a Special Education Teacher(Multihandicapped children) for over 20 years and have changed many diaper, both at home with my own children and at school for my students. Since I accepted the job, knowing full well the handicapping conditions of my students, I never thought twice about whether it was appropriate to change diapers. As for expecting my oaras to change my kids...why should they be required to do it and not I? Just because I have a degree means that I am above doing what is essentially a basic care need for my students? No way, not me. Sure diaper changing is my least favorite job BUT I would never ask a para to do anything that I wouldn't do myself, and that includes changing a diaper, feeding, brushing teeth, wiping hands, faces and noses. My very special students depend upon me and my staff for their every need and I am sure that on some level they appreciate the excellent care we have given them over the years. Maintaining the privacy and dignity of the child is most important, but if you intend to work in this area of special education, you should be special enough to meet ALL of the needs of these very special kidsand not only the pleasant and socially acceptable ones!!
Some of my kids leave my room to catch a bus to attend the public schools Preschool in the afternoon. They have often sent them back with wet or poopy pants. I sent a note to them asking them to please change them before they come back. Then they did it, however, when I asked the child what her teacher said when she changed her, she said the teacher was very mad and said she didn't have time for this kind of thing. They think they are above helping a child change into clean clothes! No one has time for such a thing, but we just have to do it, and not be passing the buck to someone else...unless of course there are people hired for just that kind of job.
Sorry, but I agree with all of the above (emotionally, physical well-being, just plain loving them and academically - which are all things I do and love to do) but if a student needs diapers changed or any kind of very physical intimate care, well that's my limit. As a parent, I would never expect a teacher to do this for my child and I would make sure my child had an aid who is paid to do this.
One last comment on this from me....it's good for us to know our limits. I would not put myself in a situation where this would be required and I don't feel I am 'above' doing this, just that I'm not at all comfortable with giving intimate physical care to anyone other that my kin. That doesn't make me a horrible teacher or person, just someone who knows herself well enough to be completely honest.
