239: How to Address 5 Common Behavior Challenges at School, with Penny Williams
Nov 9, 2023
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Penny Williams, expert in behavior challenges for kids with ADHD, discusses off-task behavior, emotional regulation, and effective strategies for neurodivergent children at school. Tips include creating supportive environments and seeking professional help like occupational therapy.
Identify children's reasons for off-task behavior, minimize distractions, and support focus in quiet areas.
Address disruptive behavior by providing sensory alternatives like fidgets, standing, or using sensory tools.
Collaborate with professionals and develop strategies to build frustration tolerance, enhance social skills, and manage argumentativeness in neurodivergent children.
Deep dives
Off-task behavior and strategies to address it
One common behavior challenge in neurodivergent children, especially those with ADHD, is being off task. This behavior may involve not doing assigned work, seeming distracted, or daydreaming. It's important to understand the underlying reasons for the off-task behavior, such as distractibility or avoidant behavior due to executive functioning challenges. Teachers and parents can help by creating an environment that minimizes distractions and provides quiet areas for focused work. Additionally, supporting children in getting started on tasks and addressing specific challenges in subjects like writing can be beneficial.
Managing disruptive behavior with movement and sensory input
Disruptive behavior is another common challenge for neurodivergent children, and it often stems from the need for movement and sensory input. Traditional attempts to make children sit still can be ineffective, as their bodies naturally require movement for stimulation and focus. Providing alternatives, such as standing or walking while working, using fidgets, or incorporating music, can help children meet their sensory needs without disrupting class. Chewing gum or utilizing sensory tools like Velcro can also provide sensory input while sitting still.
Addressing big emotions and reactivity through skill-building and support
Many neurodivergent children struggle with big emotions and reactivity. This can be due to poor frustration tolerance, social skills difficulties, or challenges in emotional regulation. It's important to remember that these skills may be lagging behind due to developmental delays. Collaborating with school guidance counselors and special education teams can help develop strategies to build frustration tolerance, enhance social skills, and work on emotional regulation in various environments. Seeking professional help outside of school, such as occupational therapy, can also be beneficial in addressing these challenges.
Strategies for managing argumentativeness and promoting flexibility
Argumentativeness is commonly seen in neurodivergent children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. It often stems from a strong need for precision and exactness. Reframing the behavior as a need for clarification, offering detailed information, and giving students opportunities to debate or talk through their thoughts can be helpful. Occupational therapy and guidance counselors can assist in developing flexibility, improving social reciprocity, and understanding appropriate times and ways to seek precision. By providing accommodations and reframing behavior, educators can support the needs of argumentative students.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing behavior challenges in neurodivergent children requires individualized approaches. By identifying the underlying reasons for each behavior, creating supportive environments, and collaborating with professionals, parents and educators can help foster positive behavior and academic success.
In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I’m diving into behavior challenges at school. We'll discuss the common struggles faced by children with ADHD, autism, and other developmental delays, and explore effective strategies to help them navigate these challenges. From poor frustration tolerance and off-task behavior to big emotions and argumentativeness, we'll unpack it all. Join me as I share practical tips, insights, and stories to empower parents, educators, and professionals in supporting these beautifully complex individuals.
