Thanks Paul, some of that is very useful.  I'm trying to work with the
student on those lines.  I dont think, in this case, I will be able to
involve the parents.  
 
Heather

________________________________

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
on behalf of Paul Smyth
Sent: Fri 26/01/2007 09:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ADHD/Aspergers



Hi

 

I work at an FE college (mainly 16-19 year olds) and have founf the
most effective way has been to meet with the student and his/her
parents to discuss the problems in the classroom. I know there are
lots of things that can be done in the class, you can find the
following on any tips on lots and lots of websites, we have seen them:

 

Sit the student away from distractions.

Separate from bad influences/friends in class.

Praise good behaviour.

Teach in small chunks 

Make sure the student knows what the teacher is going to teach/plan

Warn of changes e.g. of classroom etc

Recognise the signs of stress and allow a time out

etc. etc. etc.

 

There are lots more (and although they seem obvious, most are useful
tips) but I really have found that a meeting with the Disability
Officer (me, here at Richmond), the parents, the tutor and the student
is always the most productive strategy - it allows for a variety of
views - in class, at home and then a neutral view from the DO - it is
like having a small think tank! 

 

The view form home is often illuminating and can shed light on things
in the classroom. The tutor's view of what is going on can differ
significantly form the students. The parents often don't know much
about what is going on. 

 

Recently we have had a couple of cases where the student was actually
quite shocked that his behaviour was affecting others so much, he was
also behind in his written work and frustrated (we organised 1:1
support - which is now working very well), he recently moved house, he
had opened up relations with his dad again.... we put him on a "log"
(not a fallen tree trunk) where his behaviour was monitored, he was
referred to the counsellor, he was made aware that when his behaviour
affected the learning of others that it was unacceptable and told him
that others had complained about him (another shock). A student with
Asperger's who i saw in a similar meeting yesterday did not have a
single note in his diary of any deadlines for work, he had not filed a
single piece of work since the beginning of term, it had all been
stuffed in his bag! Much to the shock of me, his teacher and his mum!
It was so simple to see why he had been getting frustrated and angry -
he was confused and getting behind, he didn't have a clue how to catch
up or to even start catching up............another student new he was
misbehaving but said it was only in Sociology because it was boring,
so we looked at a possible course change.......I could go
on..................... 

 

Of course some students may not fall into any of the above, I would
never suggest medication for someone with ADHD, but I have talked to
students who have said it really helps them concentrate and control
certain urges, some may not be suitable. If a student has taken it
before and it has worked, then a suggestion of taking it again might
be appropriate, but this is a delicate matter. 

 

Sometimes when the DO sees a student separately and the DO is very
well informed of the situation in class etc, the information is
received, not in the form of a nag from a parent or teacher, but as an
independent reasoned view and sometimes the DO can find out
significant things that others are unaware of!

 

None of this might help you and you may have already done all of the
above and it still hasn't worked, if so, when do your reasonable
adjustments become unreasonable? If you have tried everything, maybe
the course is just not right for the student? Or full time study is
not right for the student? If the student's behaviour is spoiling the
education of the others in the class, there might only be one option.

 

In HE it might be more difficult, but someof the principles still
apply.

 

Kind regards, Paul. 

 

 


---- Message from Heather Griffiths <[log in to unmask]>
<mailto:<[log in to unmask]>  at 2007-01-25 18:25:37 ------



	________________________________
	
	From: Heather Griffiths
	Sent: Thu 25/01/2007 18:25
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: ADHD/Aspergers
	
	
	Has anyone found good strategies for helping students with
aspergers
	and ADHD to control aggressive tendencies?
	 
	Also would anyone be willing to let me have sight of any
college
	policies you have for handling this sort of situation?
	 
	Many thanks
	 
	Heather Griffiths
	Newman College
	Email has been scanned for viruses by Altman Technologies'
email management service - www.altman.co.uk/emailsystems
	
	

Email has been scanned for viruses by Altman Technologies' email
management service <http://www.altman.co.uk/emailsystems>