| Author |
Message |
Ashley Buchanan (Ashleybuchanan)
New member
Username: Ashleybuchanan
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2011 - 1:30 pm: |       |
I am a Junior at Slippery Rock University taking an adapted physical activity class. All the college students were paired up with a student, ages 13-18, from a local high school. All the high school students have differing abilities but still love to participate and do the activities we have planned. However, the student I'm paired up with, doesn't want to participate at all. She is capable of doing a lot of the skills, but just says "I don't want to". How can I motivate her to participate and have fun with her classmates? I'm really struggling. |
Michael Schleiden (Mschleiden23)
Junior Member
Username: Mschleiden23
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2011 - 5:49 pm: | |
Not saying I'm an expert by any means but I've worked with special ed students for over 2 years now, predominantly students with autism, MR, LD, and emotional support. First of all, the best advice I ever got and the best advice I can give is don't take anything personal and don't get frustrated. I know that's extremely difficult but once that happens it's hard to come back from. If your student is higher functioning and just refusing, try and build the rapport to find the reason behind the refusal (if you haven’t already done that). Next, talk to the student's aide and/or teacher and find out what tactics they use. See if there are any tangible things she likes that are realistic in rewarding her with. Use the token economy approach if possible since it seems like you've been trying positive reinforcement and it doesn't sound like it's working that well. Third, think baby steps and little victories. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. If she's exhibiting this behavior with you, it's probably not her first time doing it so don't think big picture, think baby steps in the right here and now. Getting her to engage in something for 2 minutes is still better than nothing and you can work from that. Lastly, I'm in your class so I'll try and lend a helping hand with my student. Keep your head up. |
Lindsay Ritchey (Lnr1959)
Junior Member
Username: Lnr1959
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2011 - 5:52 pm: | |
Try to find something she really enjoys doing. If she likes to sing, you can use that as a positive reinforcer. Whenever she's unwilling to participate, tell her that if she does the task at hand you will sing her favorite song afterward. However, don't make an empty promise. If she participates make sure you follow through and sing afterward. Hope this helps! |
|
