by
Amy Collins, OTR, MOT
Manager,
School-Based Therapy Services, Harris County Dept. of Education
I recently
observed a therapist working with a young student who refused to participate in
class and the teacher who was very frustrated with him. At one point, the
teacher asked the therapist, in front of the student, if she could get him to
complete a worksheet, since he “ripped it up the last time.”
What might be triggering these
behaviors that are impeding his ability to learn? How does he feel about coming
to school? How often does he experience feelings of success or self-competence?
Does he think his teacher enjoys having him in her class? Does his teacher
experience feelings of failure with regard to this student, or take any
ownership of the situation?
After the session, the therapist
and I talked about positive reinforcement, choice-making, and his unique
interests. Our discussion sparked several strategies that could be easily and
immediately put in place, including asking the teacher to make a point of
telling him how happy she is that he is in her class, asking his parent to send
pictures of his dog and cartoon character to create a bridge between home and
school, “catching him being good,” giving him as many choices as possible,
assigning him a special classroom job he can be successful with, and giving the
teacher modeling and praise for her efforts.
Often, we as therapists and as
teachers are so busy we don’t take time to ask “why” or brainstorm what might be
done to change the situation. Will you challenge yourself to carve out a little
time to ask why one of your students lacks motivation to participate in academic
or functional activities and what you might do to facilitate
change?
