education, behavior and drugs

[ulysses]

I have a young man in my class who is both very bright and very, as they say, "off the chain". His behavior in class - he picks physical fights regularly, often with the young ladies in the class, mutters raps under his breath when I tell him to be quiet - keeps both him and the rest of the class from learning as they are basically able to learn.

He's been classified EBD (emotional/behavioral disorder) and prescribed meds to help deal with this. His mother has taken him off the meds of her own accord.

The fact that his "primary exceptionality" is now EBD means that he should really be in an EBD class, although he *is* learning disabled. In fact, processes are working to place him in an EBD class.

I'm of two minds. I wish I could keep him in my room - I think he's essentially ADHD, and much as I might not like drugging kids on principle, I think he'd learn a lot with me if he were medicated. On the other hand, it's not at all fair to the rest of the class to keep him where he is *as* he is.

Thoughts?

[iconoclastic cat]

1. Yes! Go to this site:

http://www.behavioradvisor.com

Dr. Mac, the site's owner, has tons of resources for teachers who work with students who have emotional/behavioral disorders. My friends who are teachers (all inner-city) swear by him.

[ulysses]

2. thanks!

[iconoclastic cat]

3. Let me know if you found it helpful.

BTW, what subject do you teach?

[ulysses]

6. I teach LD kids

It's a mixed, self-contained class, 6-8, all core subjects.

[proud patriot]

5. Great resource Thanks

I just added it to my favorites

[proud patriot]

4. Sounds a lot like my son , my son doesn't pick fights with peers though

My son has excelled in the the proper environment
w/ Medication for his ADHD .

When I made the decision to pull him out of main stream
school and allow the diagnoses of ADHD to help in the
educational potential of my kid it was very difficult.

I relied on the old adage The earlier the
better as far as intervention goes.

I felt my son wasn't getting enough support
and felt guilt that he was taking away from
the other children in the class . Both my child
and the other kids deserve their education .

The new school is small and both my son and I love
it. He is going into third grade this year in a place
that welcomes him and is prepared for him . His class
is 10 kids with 2 teachers . I couldn't of been blessed
with a better opportunity for him .

My son is now learning and uses coping skills
to deal with his high frustration level and his
disrespect of authority . He is also able to learn
like he wasn't able to at "regular school" He is
above grade level in math science and reading ,I'm
very proud at how far he's come both socially and
academically.

When he is ready he will be mainstreamed back with
his other friends from kindergarten and first grade .

[ulysses]

7. hey, proud!

Both my child and the other kids deserve their education .

Exactly. That's such great news for your son! Glad you were able to access that kind of an environment. :hi:

[democratreformed]

9. Hi from me too proud

My experience pretty much mirrors yours. Except my son wasn't really disruptive or disrespectful according to his kindergarten teacher. It's just that he learned absolutely nothing. By the time I actually got him diagnosed, it was too late. He could not even write his own name at the end of the first year. I tried him again in public school the next year (back in kindergarten). After three days, I knew it was not going to work. He had been labeled. They put him with a new teacher fresh out of college.

I made the decision to switch him to a private school too. It is VERY small. The first year there were five students in kindergarten, first, and second grade.

He's going into third grade this year too. He is above average in math and science too. But, he still struggles with reading. I think both my children have some sort of reading disability that makes reading more difficult for them. (My oldest is 19).

Moving my son was the best decision I have ever made for him, IMO.

[sybylla]

8. Having kids who have suffered in classes with disruptive classmates

I have to side with taking him out of the class. Wouldn't this kid do better in a one on one situation or even a one on 10 setting rather than a one on 30?

Don't mistake me. I understand the dilemma you face. But every kid deserves a chance at a good education, not just the "squeaky wheels."

I admire your desire to help this young man. Make him your cause. But don't do it to the detriment of the rest of the children.