difficult student and situation

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Home : 2002 : August : 16

difficult student and situation
By Cathy-Dee

I'm glad to hear that your administration is being firm on the subject and not placing him in your classroom to begin the year. I totally agree with your assessment of his "summer" behaviour. Children who have problems
like his often can do fine in situations where they are in control and it sounds like within his Grandmother's home he is the one in control. The fact she has taken him off medication and pulled him from the alternative school (because it was too hard) shows that the boy is controlling his Grandma and this is not good for him. I'm sure the alternative school was hard for him - he had to

behave and follow rules. Babies born with crack addictions or those who are FAS as well have serious problems coping in the regular education classroom. I wish we had more options where I live for these students.

I think that given your situation this year (expecting a baby, Congratulations by the way )
I would state that under no circumstances will you work alone with this child based on his history. If he MUST be placed in your classroom, then he MUST have an aide. This at least gives you another adult in the room who can perhaps take him out when he gets started. Often we can spot those "trigger" moments and diffuse them if we have someone working with the student one-on-one.

I would get written statements from his teachers last year as to the fact of his violence (even on medication). Then sit and wait to see what happens with him in the controlled setting prior to being placed in your classroom.

While it is a wonderful ideal to be able to reach these students - it is simply not realistic most times. I know we all want to "save" those hard students and be the one to turn it around for them. But students who have problems because of addictions need support we just do not have time for in a regular classroom. I fully believe that specialized schools with well-trained therapists, counsellors, psychologists, etc., are the way to go for the future. Many of these students end up in jail, gangs, on drugs themselves. They need a system that really works with them and their needs.

Good luck with the whole sitation - keep us posted as to what happens after school begins.