Get rid of this kid!
Students with violent and unpredictable behaviour in our public education system can tax the resources of the most accomplished teachers. The challenge we face as teachers is how to engage these challenging students without damaging our health and wellbeing.
The last 20 years have seen many changes in educational policy and settings for students with behaviour disorders. There was a trend towards segregation in the past with these students attending special schools and classes. These still exist for the severe end of the spectrum but the current policy embedded in Every School Every Student, is in line with The Disabilities Standards Act 2005 which states that all students, notwithstanding their disability, ought to have access to education on the same basis as their peers.
Students with social and emotional developmental delay do not endear themselves to members of the school community with their often unpredictable and violent outbursts, however their disability is every bit as pervasive as students with a physical disability or cognitive impairment.
We never fail to feel empathy for those children who are victims of child abuse but when that victim is a big lump of a 12 year old throwing a chair we just feel threatened and invaded. School communities need to work together to provide adequate programs. Last year we got a sense that we’re not doing too well by our students with disabilities.
It is vital that we arm teachers with the basics on engaging this difficult cohort of students and work in partnership with all members of the school community to gain the best outcome for these marginalised kids. Teachers can make all the difference in a child’s life. Next week we’ll explore the basics on dealing with extreme behaviours in mainstream settings.
