An after-school worker reported a troubling experience during a recent field trip to Dave & Buster’s, where she unexpectedly found herself solely responsible for supervising a child with autism. The worker initially thought the outing would involve shared supervision among adults, allowing for participation in games and downtime.
Before joining the trip, she was under the impression that all the staff would work together to monitor the kids and even play some games themselves. However, upon arrival, she was assigned to watch a 9-year-old boy diagnosed as high-functioning autistic without any prior warning or briefing about her new role.
After dinner, while the children were busy getting their game cards, she was approached and informed, rather than asked, to supervise the boy. This sudden change in responsibility meant she had to maintain constant vigilance over him for the entire trip, leaving her no chance to take breaks, sit down, or even go to the restroom. She assumed the adult staff members would step in to help her, but that did not happen.
Despite there being five other adults on the trip, she found herself as the only adult providing extensive supervision to the boy. Her colleagues instead opted to lounge around or engage in games, neglecting their supervisory duties. One adult briefly took the child off her hands, only to return him moments later.
The real challenge arose when it was time to leave. The boy became upset due to not having enough tickets for the prize he desired and began to have a tantrum. According to her account, two of the adults witnessed her struggling to calm him down but did not offer assistance until they were already on the bus heading back.
Feeling overwhelmed and alone in the situation, she expressed her frustrations to her coworkers after the trip. She articulated her concerns about being thrust into a one-on-one supervision role without any warning, support, or the chance to take breaks. She emphasized that if her supervision responsibility had been communicated ahead of time, a plan could have been prepared, rather than being left to manage it all during the trip.
Her coworkers dismissed her concerns, claiming she was being “dramatic” and arguing that someone had to take charge of the child. They suggested that since she initially agreed to watch him, she should not complain. This response further intensified her frustration, as she felt her concerns about the lack of communication and support were being trivialized.
Looking back, she reflected on her agreement to monitor the child. While she understands the need for supervision, she also pointed out that the lack of preparation and support from other adults was unacceptable. She wanted to be clear that her grievance lay not with the child, who she recognizes needed supervision, but with the adults who failed to step in and help.
One person who commented on her story expressed empathy, stating that it was unreasonable for one adult to handle such a significant responsibility alone during a group outing. Another reader noted that collaboration among staff is crucial for the well-being of both the children and the adults overseeing them.
As the worker grapples with her experience, she is left contemplating whether to escalate her concerns about how the trip was managed. The incident raises questions about proper communication and support in educational settings, especially when working with children with special needs.
Her situation serves as a reminder that effective teamwork and clarity around responsibilities are essential in providing a safe and enjoyable environment for both children and those supervising them. Whether she will take further action remains uncertain.
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