DEAR ABBY: Our elementary school second-grade class had an assembly conducted by the local fire department. The firemen demonstrated their equipment, let the children try on helmets and protective clothing, and talked to them about fire safety. One thing they did was show the children how to crawl out of a room or house that was on fire.
One child in the class is in a wheelchair. He cannot walk or crawl or maneuver his manual chair by himself. This student's one-on-one aide thought the boy should learn what HE should do if he was ever in a fire. She decided that he could yell for help so the firemen could find him.
Now when she brings him to my office for toileting, she puts him on the toilet and then leaves the room to give him some privacy. When he's ready to get back in his chair, he is to yell loudly. His normal speaking voice is very soft, so he had to be trained to yell loudly. Some people in the school have been frightened when they heard him yell, "Help! I'm in here!" from the bathroom -– but it just may save his life one day. -- TUCSON, ARIZ., EDUCATOR
DEAR EDUCATOR: I am all for a child being prepared in case of an emergency. What concerns me is the possibility that the child's cries would be discounted if a real emergency were to occur. It is unwise to instruct a child to yell "Help!" unless there is danger. Assistance in the restroom could just as easily be gained by shouting, "Agnes, I'm ready now!" The message would be accurate and not frighten anyone.