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Lack of respect for authority figures, anger management issues, low frustration tolerance, and physical aggression have greatly increased in our schools in the past few years.These concerns are hindering students from achievement and are frustrating teachers who really want to teach!

2) Why do you think that is?

Many factors are contributing to this dilemma.  Family units are not as stable as they once were and students have access to violent and inappropriate media with few controls imposed.  Also, high stakes testing has caused increased pressure and stress on both students and teachers.  When there is a lot of stress in the classroom, cortisol is dumped into the brain and the brain actually shuts down the learning so that it can concentrate on the stressful circumstances. 

3) You have developed a two page " best practices " kind of
laminated handout for teachers to quickly refer to. What got you started
with this idea?

Over our many years in working with teachers, it was often apparent that they were expected to handle difficult behavior without training or experience, therefore we have seen a real need for a support for teachers when dealing with the frustration of students' inappropriate behaviors. The foremost goal of the card is to help teachers keep minor behaviors from becoming major ones.  However, if the behaviors are chronic or increasingly disruptive, the card also gives very practical tips for dealing with these more severe problems.

Administrators, special education staff, and parents often use terminology that is confusing. Sometimes they often have expectations that can't be carried through because the teacher doesn't know how to do this.  We thought a reference card concept could give these teachers something to help them recall or understand such information.  

4) You have some general strategies for " behaviorally challenged students"
as you call them. Why do you refer to them as " behaviorally challenged "
and what are some good general strategies?  

"Behaviorally challenged" describes students who have difficulty maintaining behavior appropriate to their age or educational setting. General strategies would include 1) consistency of rules and expectations, 2) give choices when possible, 3) create low-stress learning environments, 4) teach with students' learning styles in mind

5) You also have some sections on working with kids with Bipolar Disorder,
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder. Is it my
imagination or are these "disorders " on the rise?

In my experience, many more students are receiving a diagnosis of the Bipolar, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, and ADD. Also, we now realize that most conditions are usually co-morbid and may overlap one another. Most commonly, there are 2 or 3 disorders present at the same time.

6)  You have a specific section on dealing with physical aggression. What
are the basics that teachers need to know about?

Be mindful of what and how you give directives.  Be calm. Give choices. Pick your battles carefully - it is sometimes appropriate to ignore some behaviors. However, if a student does become agitated and aggressive, it is important to stay out of their personal space and to speak in a level neutral voice. Give simple instructions and remain calm.

7) You mention some "Cool Down Strategies". Could you give one example and
why these strategies are important?

Deep breathing allows for time to think, to reconsider and also provides for more oxygen to the brain.

8) As I sit here and type and sweat in the sweltering summer heat, I was wondering about your backgrounds. Could you tell us a bit about your past experiences?

We both have many years of experience in working with students with behavioral disorders.  Judy is a former special education director and currently the principal of an alternative school.  Cindy is a behavior consultant and trains all around the country.  We fully collaborated and each had insight to add to the card.

 9)  Where can teachers get a copy of your wonderful guide to dealing with
students with behavior disorders?

The website is www.DayOnePublishing.com/Educational

10) What question have I neglected to ask? None that we can think of.

Published September 5, 2007