And just like that... no more Alvin

 I counted incident reports today.

Since I started working at this site, I have filed eleven.
Axel, who usually works there, has filed three.

Now when I went over there to see the site and find out what's what, he told me that there's an incident basically 'every day', but that mostly what he does is holds Alvin's hand a lot.

In conversation with the other people who work at the site, I found out that is actually what he does, too.

Basically a one on one for the kid even though that is not what we do.

Because he did that hand-holding, he did a disservice to, well, all the kids. (and to any adult who works there, too... just by the way...)

But that hand holding and attention didn't help Alvin, because he expects someone to be with him all the time, one on one.
Kind of like an adult pet.
He's demanding.

"Axel! Come over here and play with me!"

And that's what happens.

And while Axel is doing that, the kids aren't doing art projects, no one is reading to them, and Alvin gets to be mean to the kids and get away with it 'cause Axel doesn't want to set him off.

So he redirects the other kids to keep them away from Alvin.

So the other kids miss out on a regular after-school program experience, Alvin learns that he can direct the adult in charge. That that adult will redirect the other kids and let him get away with all that shit.

Nothing improves.

I have written incident report after incident report.

Alvin's parents were told by my office each time that he gets 'one more chance'.

And it goes around and around.
But I didn't spend my afternoons holding his hand.
I couldn't sit and be one on one with him. There were 20 other kids to be with and take care of.

It's been stressful and aggravating and I'm so tired of it all.

Won't have to do it anymore, though.

This afternoon, Grayden was sitting near Alvin while they each built their own LEGO creation. For no reason I could discern, Alvin leaned over and with one swipe of his hand, knocked Grayden's LEGO everywhere.

Grayden, who is six and not willing to put up with a ton of crap, leaned over and did the same to Alvin's creation.

There was time for maybe one heartbeat, and Alvin stood up and kicked Grayden in the face.

There was a scream from Grayden before blood started pouring out from his mask. Alvin said, "YES!" gleefully and kicked the bin of bricks over.

I took care of Grayden, then got the phone to call Alvin's mom. As I picked it up, it rang. It was Alvin's mom. She said, "I just wanted to let you know what time Alvin will be picked up today."

I said, "I was just about to call you. He actually needs to be picked up now, he just kicked someone in the face."

It was about 15 minutes before his Dad showed up to get him.

When his dad went to the carpet to get him, he crawled away as fast as he could and got under a tiny little low table. His dad had to pull him out from under there by one leg.

Of course his older brother had to leave, too. As always.

Rowan called me to find out exactly what had occurred. I explained. She said she'd be getting back to me. Ten minutes later, she called and said that he was not going to be allowed back into the program. And that she had already talked to Mom and that Mom said that she would also be removing his older brother from the program.

That's sad, of course. He's being punished for the fact that his little brother has special needs and is out of control. He's been in the after school program for years, but of course this year his little brother is there and everything is different.

I can't deny being relieved that I will no longer have to deal with the little guy, the program is a much more peaceful place without him there. I've learned that on the days that he is not in attendance.

I will be able to spend a little time doing art projects with the kids and we will be able to leave the doors of the cafeteria open without being afraid that he will run away again. I can't see the future, but I am guessing that most days, no one will be punched or kicked in the face. At least not on purpose.

There is no winner in this situation. Alvin will be sad that he can't come to program anymore. He enjoys building with LEGO. I have to admit that he probably doesn't care too much about any of the other things that go on there, I have never seen him participate in other activities.

Little people are sensitive and he will know why he's not allowed there anymore. He is five years old and this is going to hurt his feelings.

I don't think that's going to change any of his behaviors or his attitude, though.

I'm just sorry I couldn't be the person to help fix things for him.

I'm glad he won't be there anymore, but I am not happy.
I'm sad.
All around.