Well, I'll be

Darned if good ol' behaviorism didn't have an effect! I am most certainly not a behaviorist and I have heard all the stuff about not using food as a reward, but when you have tried everything else...

About two weeks ago, I agreed with school folks to try a coordinated effort to curtail some of Marcus's destructive behavior at school. He had destroyed another classroom and did so on the very day I had gone in for a meeting. I even went into his room to try and calm him down. It worked for a while, but he escalated again and got suspended. It was at his re-entry meeting that we came up with the plan.

If he earned 10 PBIS tickets (it's now up to 17) and was not violent, he would get Phish Food ice cream and soda when he got home from school. With a few moments of irritation at other kids and some procrastination behaviors, he has had no episodes since then. He's even attended most of his class time and did the work. I'm going to say that one again - he's attended class and done the work.

Not sure what else to say. He's still obviously a ton of work, but no desks have been destroyed since I bought the Phish Food.

Over the top

I've procrastinated writing because Marcus has been so over the top. One incident is so out there that I think I should stop telling people. The look on their faces makes me realize how much chaos I have become used to. I wasn't even surprised when it happened. Grossed out and pissed off, but not surprised. I'll tell it one last time.

There is a boy in Marcus's class that he has recently targeted. I have to admit that Marcus is a bully. Nothing this kid can do is okay with Marcus and, according to Marcus, it's all this kid's fault. (His lack of responsibility taking drives me crazy). So the day before yesterday, Marcus took this kid's cap, went to the bathroom, pooped, and wiped his ass with the cap. <pause> I mean, what are you supposed to do with something like that?! Typical consequences seems silly. Of course we had them but they seemed silly and it didn't stop Marcus from continuing to harass this kid to the point of getting suspended. He didn't get suspended for bullying, but for the violent tantrum he had when the school removed him from the classroom. More property destruction.

At home things haven't been that great either. The list includes a broken antique window (threw the dog toy too hard) and a bathroom door off its hinges (opened it too hard). One good thing is that we got a new puppy (rescued pit bull from a local fighting ring), but I'm worried about Marcus and the puppy. Yesterday he hurt him when he pulled the toy too hard out from under his leg. All of these are what Marcus calls "accidents". I don't buy it. But then what does that mean about the dog? Am I totally fooling myself? And Marcus brandished a knife at the skill builder (see last entry). Am I in denial about how dangerous Marcus is?

I am starting to think about residential placement again. I know, I've been here before and didn't do it. But it's four months at Halpern and I am not seeing growth. He recognizes what he's done wrong in the moment, does the restitution work, but repeats the behavior or comes up with another one that's worse the very next day. Remember the poop? Forget about academics.

I need someone to tell me the right thing to do. Any takers?