There is a student who demonstrates what seems to be severe oppositional behavior, impulse control and attention. The parents refuse a proper psychological work up or an appropriate classroom setting. The student is clearly demonstrating behavior that interferes with their learning and functioning. Their cognitive level is severely behind their peers and is barely that of a preschool student: can’t count beyond 5, doesn’t know their letters, vocabulary is basic, speaks in 3 word sentences, communicates at a preschool level. They seek interactions with other students but their cognitive level and behavior is so disruptive that the other students want nothing to do with them.
In the classroom, for years the teachers have worked 1:1 with the student because the student disrupts the class- bothers other students by getting in their faces, destroys the room if theyre in a mood, shouts when they feel like it, runs out of the room and outright refuses every task placed on them. The behavior is so disruptive and unsafe that it takes numerous staff to control them at times for their own safety. Everyone in the school knows when there is an issue, it’s related to this student. The student knows when they hurt someone because they say sorry and try to give a hug, but this doesn’t stop them from doing it. When it comes to work, their attention is severely limited-3 minutes tops. They try to negotiate everything. Even for preferred tasks the student will suddenly change their mind and look for something else. Timers, rewards, charts, everything has been tried with this student. In addition, they have what seems to be no safety awareness: climbing on ledges, attempting to run into the street at dismissal in the presence of traffic to see something they liked, etc. The team is desperate to help this child, knowing they require special help but being powerless due to parental rights. I have never seen any behavior like it. It goes beyond any special education case I’ve ever seen. Clearly their behavior means something, but no one knows what it is. Is there any way to approach this type of behavior?
In the classroom, for years the teachers have worked 1:1 with the student because the student disrupts the class- bothers other students by getting in their faces, destroys the room if theyre in a mood, shouts when they feel like it, runs out of the room and outright refuses every task placed on them. The behavior is so disruptive and unsafe that it takes numerous staff to control them at times for their own safety. Everyone in the school knows when there is an issue, it’s related to this student. The student knows when they hurt someone because they say sorry and try to give a hug, but this doesn’t stop them from doing it. When it comes to work, their attention is severely limited-3 minutes tops. They try to negotiate everything. Even for preferred tasks the student will suddenly change their mind and look for something else. Timers, rewards, charts, everything has been tried with this student. In addition, they have what seems to be no safety awareness: climbing on ledges, attempting to run into the street at dismissal in the presence of traffic to see something they liked, etc. The team is desperate to help this child, knowing they require special help but being powerless due to parental rights. I have never seen any behavior like it. It goes beyond any special education case I’ve ever seen. Clearly their behavior means something, but no one knows what it is. Is there any way to approach this type of behavior?