The Kid Whisperer Podcast Featuring Scott Ervin and Pat Kiely: Episode 31

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Topics in this episode include:

1. I am currently struggling with one of my second-grade students who has autism. He is frequently screaming, swearing, and at times poking, lightly hitting, or touching other students.
   I have been ignoring the behaviors when appropriate, and I have taught the other students to ignore the screaming and swearing. I also make a point to notice students around him when they are doing the correct thing and give positive attention to the behaviors I want to see.

   We have done multiple DLOs for swearing, constant screaming, wandering around the room, and not going to his assigned spot when I ask, "Where do you need to be?" After we practice, he will often go right back to swearing, screaming, walking around, and touching others.

   I really want to keep him in the classroom. Last year, he was removed from the classroom any time he swore, screamed, or displayed other challenging behaviors, and I would really like to avoid continuing that pattern if possible.

2. I have attended the Behavioral Leadership training for the past two summers. I am using the strategies in my third-grade classroom and have students who aren't conforming and/or students who don't care to listen or follow directions. I am doing DLOs with those students and some PLOs too, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I remember being overwhelmed and feeling defeated last year because the strategies are so good but they didn't seem to be working as quickly as I hoped they would. That may be the case again now, but any advice is appreciated. I feel like I am using all of the preventive and mitigative strategies and still really struggling to get students to listen and cooperate.

3. I am at a school with a demographic that has quite a few entitled students who don't think the rules apply to them, and sometimes their parents don't either. I know that the year will get better-we have only been in school for 10 days- but I am struggling right now. How do I handle this sense of entitlement?