Well, another day.

When I first came into this class the girl that they called me in to work with was a MESS. She's not potty trained and it took 2 or three people just to take her to the bathroom. She was biting and pinching and throwing fits and all that during the day. The original teacher had been diagnosed with cancer early in the year and she had left within 2 weeks. The permanent sub they brought in to replace her had run the district program at a middle school. As far as I know she had never had kids who were as low functioning as MG (the girl I work with).

Within a week after I got her, she told me, "Don't bother trying to teach her. She can't be taught. Just keep her out of everyone's way." Those of you who know me know that I'm NOT the best person to say that to.

I was making a little progress with her here and there. But nothing significant. She was still very defiant. I knew that she wasn't going to make any improvements till that teacher left.

About a month ago that teacher left and we got a different teacher. This teacher and I get along much better.

Within a week after that, MG would do everything for herself in the bathroom except change her own pull up. That may sound like a small victory, but you have to remember that she's 15 years old and mentally about 2. She's going from being very violent and basically screaming in the bathroom from the time you tell her to come to the bathroom to doing most of it herself. HUGE step.

Her academics are improving as well. She's starting to recognize icons and pick them out of groups.

All in all, it's very encouraging and I'm hoping that its will continue.