I have a really peachy class this year I have one student in particular who is giving me a real workout! I need some help and suggestions from anyone who has dealt with a similar situation or has some ideas for me. First of all, I teach 4th grade. I have had incident after incident this year with this particular student. He is diagnosed with ADHD but parents are unwilling to medicate and also unwilling to retain him although his behaviors are clearly developmentally inappropriate. Let me give you some examples of behavior I see on a nearly daily basis: * Leaves his seat to come up to ask questions during instruction * Claims any property found on the floor or near his desk, including my own, and destroys it * Takes things from others' desks and destroys them * Touches people/things as he passes by, sometimes using objects, and routinely destroys papers in the hallway as he walks by them * Falls/rolls/crawls on the floor * Saves and hoardes bits of trash like broken pencils, food wrappers, etc. * Makes strange noises/voices during quiet work time, instruction, and tests Today I had just about had it when I saw him with MY FAVORITE PEN taken apart and making ink blots on his homework! Here is what I have tried so far, all to no avail: * I have had discussions with him about his behavior. He responds and seems respectful and understanding until two minutes later when the behavior returns. * Kept him on classroom management system, which is token economy. He did not make the connection between behavior and rewards/consequences. For example, on prize day when students buy things from my store, he asked multiple time if he could have money (he was out of money because of behavior fines). * Removed him from the money system and created a behavior plan. The plan was more for the protection of other students. He was allowed one warning during classtime, then continued disruptive behavior resulted in removal from the classroom. A second disruption after his return would result in removal from the classroom for the day. This worked for about 3 weeks before he was being asked to leave the classroom at least once per day, and this has been going on for the last 2 weeks. Clearly, not working any longer. * Most recently, I taped a short list of goals (in seat, hands/body to self, working) and a sticker chart to his desk. I told him when his sticker chart was filled he would get a prize. We're on the 3rd day and he's only earned one sticker for meeting goals during classtime. Please help me! I feel like I'm going to dive off the deep end.
PicodeGallo, not really advice here, b/c you probably have way more experience than I do, but from the vantage point of someone with ADD myself, it's obvious to me that he can't control his behavior--it's so sad that his parents wont get him the help he needs--it doesn't always have to be meds, but a lot of people say no meds, but they don't try to help them in any other way either. Also, it sounds like he is not motivated by prizes or stickers at all, which is common. The trick is to find out what does motivate him. You're probably in contact with his folks, who might help, but maybe not. Another thing to consider is that the other kids probably don't like him much either, as his behavior is probably annoying to the whole class. Would it be possible to enlist the help of a popular classmate, or one that he likes anyway? You could just have the kid give him the thumbs up when all is well and ignore him when he's trying to get attention. I say that b/c a lot of ADD kids have social problems, but it really bothers them when their classmates don't like them, and makes their day when someone is nice to them, esp the coolest kid in the class. If he gets positive feedback from the other kids, I think he would respond. And good luck to you--it sounds like you have your hands way full with this kid, and it shouldn't have to be that way.
What does your principal have to say about the matter? Have you shown him a write-up similar to what you've just outlined? It sounds like you've tried everything possible. I wonder if getting the principal involved would give his parents a shove in the right direction?
Inappropriate behavior, lack of social reciprocity, does not respect the personal space/property of others, obsessions with broken items, impulsive behaviors, lack of understanding of social norms ... I'm wondering if he might be Aspergers. Maybe not, but it might be worth investigating. Does he have trouble with transitions or changes in routines? Does he have a narrow focus of interest? Does he seem unaware or uncaring that his behaviors are socially unacceptable? Does he obsess on certain things or ideas? Does he become upset when things don't go as planned or don't go the way he thinks they should be? Does he have trouble with fine motor or gross motor skills (awkward grip, walk, seems "stiff", etc)? Does he erase a lot or trace over letters? Is he perfectionistic in certain areas? Does he have sensory issues (over or under sensitive to sounds, lights, taste, touch)? Is he a picky eater? Does he have an unusual strength, such as legos, history, art? Does he have an unusual speech pattern (voice too soft, too loud, lacking inflection). Does he laugh at inappropriate times? Does he show facial expression when talking? Does he have difficulty initiating a task, even if it is something he can do? Do his emotional responses seem out of proportion to the antecedents? It might be worth having a conversation with your diagnostician. Just a thought ...
Actually I came back here with the same thought--has he had a workup by the special services department? This behavior sounds too severe to be handled by the classroom teacher alone, and it sounds like more than just ADD--could it be ODD or some other type of behavior disorder also? I'm not familiar enough with Asperger's to make a statement on that, but I know ADD inside out, and they don't usually destroy things unless something else is going on. Also, some kids with learning disabilities act out to hide the fact that they can't do some things. Yup, call your special education dept asap to see if anything has been done already, then go from there.
ADD, ADHD, ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), Tourettes, and Aspergers all share many of the same behaviors and can be comorbid (meaning occurring side by side). There is even some professional speculation and discussion as to whether they might all be on the same spectrum. Aspergers kids are often misdiagnosed as ADHD, ODD, Bi-Polar, just B-A-D, or just the odd nerds who do strange things and have poor social skills. It is definitely worth discussing with a professional.
OK...I hadn't considered Asperger's, just because I've had two students with this syndrome before and his behaviors are so unlike theirs. But in response to your questions... He has serious difficulties with transitions to the point that I escort him to and from the line. He is completely unaware that his actions are socially unacceptable. He likes getting a laugh, but it's rare that he does because as was stated before by another response, he is not well liked by his classmates because they view him as a pesky younger child. Even when it is pointed out that his classmates are angry and annoyed by his behavior I don't see a light bulb going off. As for getting upset, I don't know that I've seen that emotion from him. Honestly when he is speaking one-on-one with adults his emotions seem to check out. His walk and motions seem very loose. I almost don't know how to describe it...he sometimes turns his head first, then his body loosely follows. When he runs his hands seem to dangle loose. You also see this when he falls on the floor. He doesn't erase and trace over letters. I hadn't considered Asperger's, but something my colleagues and I have been discussing was the possibility of fetal alcohol or drugs in his system at birth? Does this sound like a match? My principal is a newer addition and is at about as much of a loss as I am. I'm contemplating initiating child study, but I've just had some really bad experiences in that area and am dragging my feet a bit hoping that I can work something else out. I'm just not sure what benefit giving him an IEP will have, and not only that, but I'm not sure he'll qualify. I know I sound pessimistic, but I'm in a small charter school where the resources just aren't there. Thanks for your input, it looks like child study is probably the direction I'll need to go next. It has been a really trying time for me as a classroom teacher!
