Was I wrong for yelling at an autistic child for biting me?

[Anonymous]

I work in an autism school and I work with 7-8 year old students. I do like it but it can be overstimulated. Yes non autistic people can be overstimulated! There’s this one student and she is A HANDFUL! She is so busy and screams everytime she comes in the classroom. Two of my coworkers didn’t help he try to get this girl off the ground so I had to do it myself. I didn’t want to pull her and firmly told her to stand up. She started kicking, screaming and crying. She is seven. I asked for help but my other two coworkers were too busy helping other kids and said to me, “You’re going to hand to handle it yourself because we can’t stop out lessons. That’s not fair to the other kids. Plus it’s always her and I do it it.”

Wow okay… so as I got her up, and got her in her seat. I gave her a sheet of math paper. She’s smart but doesn’t want to do the work. She kept throwing her pencil. I told her to pick it up. She said no. I said again PICK IT UP. She screams no, picked my shins and bit my arm hard. OUCH!
I screamed at her, “ABSOLUTELY NOT! You DO NOT BITE A TEACHER! HOW AWFUL!! I sent her away for biting me.
Some people said I shouldn’t have yelled at her and she’s autistic. Maybe she doesn’t know better. She’s she does! She knew what she was doing! Autism is NO EXCUSE FOR THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR. The other teachers told me to get an ice pack and I ended up in urgent care. I’m fine now. I don’t care if she’s autistic, THERE IS NO BITING. I wanted to slap her but I didn’t because I don’t want to be in jail.
We told her parents and they were like “Oh”. No calling out, no correcting her! Like “Oh she’s autistic. She doesn’t know any better and she has trouble with worlds.” Bullshit excuse! They need to correct her! That’s why kids like her are getting away with things because of their lousy parents.

[Twalli]

Most severely autistic people, which she seems to be one, will hit and bite for a reaction. They're not doing it with malice or to get away with anything. All of us (autistic people) have trouble without exaggerated expressions. My girlfriend worked at a special needs school and there were several kids who would bite teachers frequently. They were getting more aggressive when everyone was wearing face masks because they couldn't see expressions. Severely autistic kids are going to do things that are so far out of the norm, that you can't judge them by a neurotypical scale. You need to explain to her clearly, why she can't bite.

[Anonymous]

You should have more understanding for an autistic child.

[Asker]

Yes but them being autistic is no excuse to bite people

[Opinion Owner]

I agree.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for MHO

[NordicInScandinavia]

Yes you were and good job - you just encourage the child to continue to bite. 👍

[Asker]

Excuse me! No I didn’t not!

[NordicInScandinavia]

You absolutely did.
She was vocal with you, you didn't listen to her - she bit you and with that strategy got what she wanted (not to do math with you). So what do you think she'll do next time her words aren't enough?

[Asker]

No! She has worlds and she needs to use them! People like you are the reason autistic kids get away with so much shit! I told her to pick up her pencil so I can help her with her world. She was wrong for biting me! What if a typical kid bit you?

[NordicInScandinavia]

You mean words? Which she did clearly use by saying NO. And she did you just refused to listen.
I'm the reason she's getting away with shits? And yes, you did and she used her words and said no - you didn't listen. I didn't say she wasn't wrong to, the difference is she's an autistic child you are NOT.

I've been bitten by a child with autism, more than once actually - and worse, and no, I did not yell at them nor send them away without offering them a new strategy to resolve their issue. Like your student biting you, because the words you want her to use are not enough for you to listen. No wonders the poor girls behaviour is wacky. She's surrounded by morons. Have fun being bitten you taught her well.

She was wrong for biting you - you were wrong for yelling and a child. One wrong doesn't make a right. Such a terrible teacher you must be.

[NordicInScandinavia]

Ps. I understand why you're going anon with these questions, I'd be embarrassed being you too.

[AI Opinion]

Yelling at a child, especially one with special needs, can be counterproductive and escalate situations. Autistic children may struggle with communication and sensory overload, which can lead to challenging behaviors. It's important to approach such incidents with patience and understanding, using calm, supportive strategies. Seeking support from professionals trained in autism intervention can help manage behaviors effectively. Collaboration with parents and colleagues can also foster a unified approach to behavior management. Prioritize self-care to manage stress and seek further professional development in handling challenging situations.

[Anonymous]

You’re a lousy teacher.

[Asker]

How am I a lousy teacher for calling out a student for biting me? This is exactly what I’m talking about. People enable autistic people way too much and that is why they get away with shit. I don’t care what you think. I did what was right.

[Anonymous]

No you definitely weren’t wrong.