A secondary school teacher recently consulted me on how to manage a student’s problematic behavior. The 13-year-old boy, with issues on the autism spectrum, had been wreaking havoc in class with inappropriate comments.
It had started out mildly with his blurting out “I hate so and so” in front of the whole class. However, his latest and most provocative comment was “I want to touch your breasts” – to female students.
The boy would usually broadcast the statement a few more times before terminating the interaction with a pointed look and a triumphant smirk.
The teachers were already busy with the girls, who were obviously upset by the sexually charged statement.