What DO experienced teachers do when....

The following is an excerpt from my day today. This really happened, I dont have the energy to make this up.

One of my students is rsting quietly on his mat. This right here is significant because we have just recently worked out a behavior management plan that addresses hiss inappropriate behavior during this time. So anyway, he is doing a good job with a calm and quiet body when all of a sudden, he stands up and begins screaming and flapping his hands wildly. When I approqach, I ask him what is wrong. He screams that his leg fell off. He screams this repeatedly and his speech was clear as day. I ask if his leg hurts, thinking maybe it fell asleep from being in one position. He tells me again that no it doesnt hurt because its not there.

I consider this for a moment. He is standing on both feet. he just told me his leg fell off. I calmly point out that I can see both of his legs and ask him to look at his legs. He begins to yell louder at this point that no it did indeed fall off. Remembering that sometimes this child needs to receive information through other senses, I touch his legs applying firm yet gentle pressure on his thighs, telling him I can feel his legs.

At this point, he then tells me that is leg is "over there". I look in the direction he is pointing to and see that he is pointing at the sandbox. I calmly pretend to look for a leg and reassure him that his leg is still attached to his body. He says " no its in the sandbox laying down. it walked over there".

I wasnt sure how to respond. What would you have done at this point? What would you have done differently prior to this point?