I was teaching a special education class for middle school students. D, a 6th grader with PDD, normally came and went with his mother, but today he was to ride the bus home. As the day wore on, he became more and more agitated. Finally, sensing we were reaching some critical point, I asked him if he wanted some time out, in a special area separated by a book case to give him privacy.
"No, no!" he insisted. "I'll be OK!" It was obvious that he associated Time Out with punishment.
"D, you are not in trouble; you haven't done anything wrong. But you seem to be a bit up-set, and I thought you might like a little quiet time to help you calm down."
He looked at me for a long moment, and then took a deep breath and said, "No, I'm OK, but thank you."
Somehow just knowing that I knew what was bothering him seemed to help him face his fear of the kids and noise he would find on the bus. That bus ride was the first of many he negotiated well, but I never forgot how scary new situations can seem to all kids, but especially those with relationship problems.
Houston, TX