The parents are very helpful and encouraging. I encourage all my students' parents to look into groups and listservs for both information and support. I know I have received quite a bit of both from the groups and lists I have been involved with. I think everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves and make choices for themselves in this life. I believe most of the inappropriate behaviors I see in my classroom are a result of an inability to communicate - actually, I should say an inability to communicate appropriately.
All behavior is a means of communication.
If I don't like the form it takes, then it is my job to teach another form which will have the same function. This form has to be one the child can do and one that will be reinforced by being understood and acted upon. Now, there may come a time when I will still have to take the toy away, but it will be long after the child has learned the appropriate behavior and I will always acknowledge to the child that I understand what he is saying but that it has to be done. There are people who wouldn't want my job - people who take this type of job simply to get their foot in the door of the school system and go onto other jobs. The children that I teach are just as valuable, loveable and interesting as anyone else's child.