working with the troubled or disruptive student
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Working with the Troubled or Disruptive Student. A Faculty Guide to Helping Students New Faculty Orientation September 7th, 2011 For information or on-site training contact: Wayne Griffin at 352.392.1575. Faculty and Staff as Resources. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Working with the Troubled or Disruptive
Student
A Faculty Guide to Helping Students
New Faculty OrientationSeptember 7th, 2011
For information or on-site training contact:Wayne Griffin at 352.392.1575
Faculty and Staff as Resources
Campus personnel interact with students in a variety of contexts:– Teaching and Research Faculty– Graduate Teaching and Research
Assistants– Support Staff– Academic Advisors and Office of the
Registrar– Student Affairs Personnel, e.g., Financial
Aid, Reitz Union, Career Resource Center, Dean of Students, Counseling, Housing and Recreation staffs
– Student Organization Advisors
Faculty and Staff as Resources
Faculty and Staff are: Knowledgeable of students and their
particular developmental stage Aware of the stressors students
encounter Knowledgeable of the campus
organization and resources Represent the institutional ethic of
care Gatekeepers for intervention and
referral to helping resources
The Learning Environment: Establishing Expectations
Explain the importance of a classroom/learning culture
Define expectations for the classroom in the course syllabus; Discuss and clarify
Be consistent Introduce expectations early and model the
desired behaviors– Language– Punctuality– Respect
Consult about the scope and enforcement of expectations
Self-Care for Faculty/Staff
Be aware of your limitations and when you may benefit from assistance
Make use of campus and community resources (Refer to the Guide for Helping in this presentation)
Consult with others, e.g., faculty, staff, administrators, counselors, public safety
Document interactions Review your experience and consult
with your supervisor on resources
Recognizing and Responding to Troubled and Disruptive
Students
The Challenge of Change
Over time persons experience periods of increased stress when challenges related to decisions, goals and relationships arise. Often these experiences are accompanied by thoughts and emotions which produce sadness, anxiety, frustration, anger and confusion
While stressful, with support and help these periods of adjustment are often resolved with renewed perspectives on life, study and work
The Challenge of Change cont.
A persistence of sadness, anger, confusion and isolating behaviors may indicate a deepening concern and need for consultation
The goal of a supportive intervention is to provide the assistance necessary to help the student re-establish equilibrium
A Profile of Student Well-Being
Students diagnosed or treated in the last school year:
Approximately 10% Americans 18 y/o or older suffer from symptoms of clinical depressions [See: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsDepression/
Data collected on 30,093 subjects with 30.91% response rate. Retrieved on 08/08/11 from: http://www.achancha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA-II_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Fall2010.pdf
% Male % Female % TotalDepression 5.6 9.7 8.3Anxiety 5.4 11.2 9.2Substance abuse
1.5 0.6 1.0
Sleep reported as difficult
19.7 24.7 22.9
A Profile of Student Well-Being Within the last school year:
Feeling Very Sad % Male % Female
% Total
No - never 32.5 18.8 23.8Yes – last 2 weeks 17.4 26.1 23.0Yes – last 30 days 9.9 14.9 13.1Yes – Last 12 mos. 20.5 23.2 22.2
So Depressed Difficult to Function
% Male % Female
% Total
No – never 56.1 46.6 50.0Yes – last 2 weeks 8.4 9.7 9.3Yes – Last 30 days 4.2 6.0 5.4Yes – Last 12 mos. 11.4 15.0 13.7
A Profile of Student Well-Being
Within the Last School Year:Seriously Considered Suicide
% Male % Female
% Total
No-never 84.2 81.8 82.5Yes – last 2 weeks 1.6 1.3 1.5Yes – last 30 days 0.7 0.7 0.7Anytime w/in –Last 12 mos. 5.7 5.9 6.0Attempting Suicide % Male %
Female % Total
No – never 94.0 92.1 92.6Yes – last 2 weeks 0.5 0.2 0.3Yes – last 30 days 0.2 0.1 0.2Anytime w/in Last 12 mos.
1.4 1.1 1.3
A Profile of Student Well-BeingAUCCCD annual report of 424 centers
– 13.7% significant history of prior treatment– 24.7% taking psychotropic medications– 38% reported depression– 40.4% reported anxiety– 36.3% relationship issues– 9.0% engaged in self injury [e.g., cutting, burning,
abrading]– 15.2 % suicidal thoughts and behaviors– 11.3% alcohol abuse/dependence
Retrieved on August 8, 2011 from: Fall 2011 report: http://www.aucccd.org/img/pdfs/aucccd_directors_survey_monograph_2010.pdf
Tips for Recognizing the Troubled Student
Mildly troubled studentsBehaviors do not necessarily disrupt
others but indicate that something is troubling the student. There may be:
– A decrease in achievement and diminished motivation
– Increased absences– Difficulties with concentration and focus– Marked changes in interaction patterns
with instructor and peers, e.g., avoidance, increased dependency
Mildly Troubled Students cont:
– Altered mood states, sadness, anxiety, irritability, lethargy
– Fatigue and sleeping in class– Pre occupation– Missed deadlines or incomplete work– Diminished self-care including poor
hygiene– A reticence to accept and act on an offer
of help
Tips cont.
Moderately troubled students may:– Exhibit more significant changes in mood
and behavior but are resistant to accept help
– Display rapid changes in mood with a sense of helplessness
– Make repeated requests for special consideration or adjustment to academic requirements
– Express emotions more intensely, particularly when related to requests for relaxation of academic responsibilities
– May behave in ways that are mildly disruptive to the classroom culture, e.g., angry outbursts, walking out, failing to collaborate, attacking the opinions of others
Helping the Mildly or Moderately Trouble Student
Consult with others on how best to constructively address your concerns and offer help
Work with the student on an individual level Address specific behaviors that represent
infractions of the classroom learning culture –provide corrective and formative feedback
Be clear about expectations and consequences
Refer the student to campus resources (e.g., Counseling and Wellness Center, Dean of Students, Student Health Services, Academic Advisement)
Document your intervention and follow up to encourage the student to utilize resources
Recognizing the Severely Troubled and Disruptive
StudentThe Severely Troubled/Disruptive
Student may: Be less likely to accept help and may view
efforts to assist as intrusive and unwanted Exhibit more intense expression of emotions
with little regard for classroom decorum or deference to the role of instructor
Reflect poor self-care and demonstrate a lack of empathy for others
Regularly fail to attend class, be tardy and communicate a heightened sense of entitlement
Be verbally antagonistic to peers/instructor
The Severely Troubled and Disruptive Student cont.
Be unwilling to collaborate with team members and resist assuming responsibility
Have difficulty communicating, slurred speech or confused content
Exhibit a confused sense of reality or be highly suspicious of others
Engage in inappropriate forms of contact such as veiled or threatening e-mails or stalking behaviors
Be hyper-vigilant and reactive to other’s opinions
Make veiled or overt references to suicidal or homicidal thoughts (May be in oral and written formats)
Tips for Responding to the Severely Troubled and
Disruptive Student Attend to your personal need for
safety– Have someone meet the student with you– Meet in an area where resources are
available to you Use consultation resources
– Supervisor/Dept. Chairperson– Counseling and Wellness Center – Dean of Students
If you think the student may become physically agitated, contact campus police at (911 or 352-392-1111) and have them present
Tips for Responding to the Severely Troubled and
Disruptive StudentIf the student is agitated and/or a
threat to harm themselves or others
Maintain a safe distance Attempt to maintain a calm demeanor Avoid escalating your voice level and using
provocative language Remove yourself by indicating you will find
someone else to assist … Get help and contact the campus police for assistance (911 or 352-392-1111)
Tips for Responding to the Severely Troubled and
Disruptive StudentIf the student is able to discuss the
problem and does not pose an imminent threat:
Respect and try to understand the student’s perspectives and convey an attitude of sincerity
Avoid promising the student confidentiality Focus on an aspect of the problem that can
be managed Explore what has worked successfully in the
past Make constructive suggestions but avoid
making promises Identify options and resources
Tips for Responding to the Severely Troubled and
Disruptive Student Encourage the student to use help and offer
ways to access the resources If concerned, ask the student if s/he is
considering not wanting to live – Often the person is looking for someone to acknowledge their suffering. If yes, get help
Discuss your experience with your supervisor; Consult about resources and next steps
Contact the Dean of Students Office to communicate your concern and utilize resources of the Behavioral Consultation Team (352-392-1261)
Helping the Suicidal Person
If you think the student may be suicidal:
Listen to the person; Allow time Ask the question
– Are you thinking about killing yourself?– Are you thinking about not wanting to live?
Promote the idea of getting help Refer to campus and community resources
– Counseling and Wellness Center (352-392-1575)– Alachua Cty Crisis Center (352-264-6789)– If an emergency, call UFPD (911 or 352-392-1111)
Consult with your supervisor, document your interactions and efforts to help and discuss follow up
Referring for Help
The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.
The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, then making the arrangements to get that help.
The third best referral is to give referral information and try to get a good faith agreement that student will seek assistance. Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, can be a positive outcome.
Follow Up
How to Get Help
A Decision Making Tree and Resource Guide for Working with
the Troubled and Disruptive Student
Campus and Community Resources
University Resources Dean of Students Office 352-392-1261 Counseling and Wellness Center 352-392-1575 Student Health Services 352-392-1161 University Police Department 911 or 352-
392-1111 Office of Victim Services 352-392-5648 International Center 352-392-5323 Housing and Residence Education 352-392-2171 Division of Student Affairs 352-392-1265 Employee Assistance Program 352-392-5787
Resources cont.
Community Resources
Alachua County Crisis Center 352-264-6789
Alachua County Sheriff 911 Gainesville Police Department 911 Alachua County Fire/Rescue 911 Gainesville Fire/Rescue 911 Information and Referral Services 211 or 352-332-
4636
Case Study 1
Phase 1: Several students have mentioned their concern for a fellow member of the class, one of their friends. They note that the student has been attending classes irregularly and does not appear to be very motivated. Efforts on their part to help have been met with the friend minimizing their concerns. They want to know what they can do to be helpful.
Questions for discussion: What concerns are present? What suggestions can the faculty/staff member make
to the students?
Case Study 1
Phase 2: Several days later one of the students returns to let you know that though the group again tried to assist, they were rebuffed. The student informs you that she believes her friend is worsening. He does not attend classes and sleeps a lot during the day. She also notes that he has not come out of his room very much. He writes e-mails that reflect his dark mood and cynicism. She speculates that perhaps this has something to do with her friend’s recent relationship breakup.
Questions for discussion: What additional concerns are present? What suggestions can the faculty/staff member make
to the student?
Case Study 1
Phase 3: At your suggestion that male student comes in to talk with you. His appearance is disheveled and his speech is slow. He appears to be very tired or sad. Over the course of your conversation with the student, he indicates that he is not very interested in school anymore and is so far behind that he doesn’t see the sense in trying to catch up. You discuss several options for him including withdrawal. He says that he cannot withdraw because he would not have anywhere to live. When you ask what he plans to do, he says that it really doesn’t matter; no one would miss him not being around.
Questions for discussion: What concerns are present? What actions might be taken to be helpful?
Case Study 1
Phase 4: The student does not like the idea of talking with a counselor, even though you offer to walk him over for help. He gets up to leave and says that he wishes everyone would just leave him alone. Whatever he does with his life, it is not anyone’s business.
Questions for discussion: What is helpful at this point? What resources are available? What follow-up would be suggested?
Case Study 2
Phase 1: A student approaches an advisor and asks to talk with him about something she has heard from another female in one of her classes. She begins by requesting that what she shares be kept confidential. She doesn’t want it getting back to her friend that she broke her confidence. The student proceeds to tell the advisor about a series of e-mails received by her friend which describe another student’s attraction to her. Her friend has told her that she if very uncomfortable with the male who sits beside her in class and has made overtures towards her. Though she has tried to ignore him, he continues to try and get her attention. Recently he has tried talking to her before and after class.
Case Study 2
Questions for discussion: What concerns are present at this point? What additional information may be helpful? What are the next steps to be taken by the advisor?
Case Study 2
Phase 2: The faculty member in a class notices that one of the students appears to be distressed and crying. She approaches her and asks if she is okay. When the student does not calm down, the faculty member asks that she join her outside the classroom. There she is told by the student that another member of the course confronted her before class and told her that he was tired of being ignored by her. She stated that he implied she would be changing her mind soon and would enjoy being with him more than the other guy she was with at the club Thursday night. She relates the problems with increasing e-mails, phone messages and his unwillingness to cooperate with her requests to leave her alone.
Case Study 2
Questions for discussion: What concerns are present at this point? What additional information may be helpful? What are the next steps of the advisor and what
resources are available to help?
Case Study 2
Phase 3: The male student comes into the advisor’s office the next day and complains that he is being treated unfairly; that he is being accused without people having heard his side of the story. He wants to speak with the department chair. He reports that this has happened before and that he is tired of getting in trouble for other people’s problems. He tells the advisor that he had better get this straightened out. He does not want any problem with people lying about him with graduation coming up next spring. In the course of the conversation, the student angrily denies having any responsibility for the e-mails or interaction with the woman in his class. He blames her for coming on to him and states that she should be the one getting in trouble.
Case Study 2
Questions for discussion: What are the priorities for the advisor? What additional information may be helpful? What are the next steps and what resources are
available to help?