A SN child at school is hitting me! WWYD?

[Nokidsnoproblem]

I work as an English teacher in an Asian country. I teach elementary students at a small school (around 100 students). My classes are completely in English because I cannot speak the language of this country.

In my grade 3 class there is a boy with SN. I don't know what exactly is wrong with him because of the language barrier, the most I've been told is that 'his brain is not working properly'. He comes to my after school class and is an absolute nightmare. He cannot speak a word of English so I cannot control him at all. As soon as he comes into my classroom it is like a firework has gone off. He will scream, shout, annoy the other students, and just recently he has started to hit me. I was very shocked when he first did it as I had never known him to be violent before, I took him straight to his teacher, she told him off and brought him back five minutes later. The same thing has happened two more times since then.

Today his teacher spoke to my boss and told her that I should deal with this child by myself. According to her it is my responsibility if he is in my classroom. I understand her POV, but me and this child cannot speak the same language and he hates me!

His mother cannot speak English so that conversation is out of the question.

I would really appreciate some ideas on disciplining this boy. I honestly have no idea what to do!

[anewyear]

I agree Hec,
In my limited experience, some people just dont care enough, would just like to brush any problems like SEN under the carpert.

[lljkk]

I am not advocating that OP smacks or bullies a child, so sorry if it sounded that way.

I am suggesting that I think that's what her colleagues expect, and that's why she's stuck in this messy situation with poor support. :( I have no idea how she fixes it, although she may need to find some way to be tougher in general if she wants to stay in this job; it may be culturally what the children expect, too. Perhaps cannot do her job properly without being a HardAss.

[sukysue]

Bribe him with sweeties, toys or try some sort of reward system. Am actually surprised you are asking this question surely this is semester 1 in uni teacher training course stuff they teach you asap ?

[raisah]

lots of asian countries do not manage / view sn like the west. Some communities have a very medieval take on it, viewing it as a product of witchcraft, parental sin & as op said 'brain not working'. There may not be support structures in place like in the uk. As language is the barrier you should use a visual time table for the whole class. As each activity starts/ ends a different child should take the picture down & put it in a bag/box.
Make a magic box/bag & fill it with cheap tactile toys/ bubbkes etc & let everybody have a turn pulling/ putting in & out of the box.

The boy seems to be frutrated at hus lack of social communication skills hence the anger and disruption.
Try sparklebox, c beebies parent site, majaton society & national autistic society web sites for help & ideas.

[raisah]

use music, nursery rhymes, bubbles and create a sensory rich environment for him. Messy play etc to keep hin engaged & connected rather than discipline. SEN is not ackniwledged in asian countries and this boy has a tough life ahead of him. Use stickers & create a reward chart where he is rewarded for participation rather than for good behaviour.

[Yfronts]

Get a translator and talk to the mum. There is no choice.