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Post by kstar on Oct 17, 2013 17:55:40 GMT
As part if my personal development plan for this year, I have taken on the task of supporting other classroom teachers in dealing with students with attachment issues and early developmental trauma. Obviously the reading for this is part of my everyday life (I think I can quote Hughes et al in my sleep!!!).
What i am interested in here is real, everyday, "quick win" tips for busy teachers. I don't want staff to feel like I am asking them to rewrite their whole scheme of work and learn to teach differently. I want them to slowly learn to understand attachment, spot problems where they exist and deal with them sensitively. It can't be too scientific as these children can be difficult to identify, unless we happen to know they are adopted. However, in a large busy comprehensive, we will have plenty of them, together with the LACs we know about and those students who have suffered all the same problems but never been picked up by SS.
So dear friends, what should I tell our staff? What has worked well for your child? What doesn't work? What would make you consider a teacher to be good at dealing with attachment?
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Post by janpan on Oct 17, 2013 19:11:15 GMT
This will be an interesting read ... of course, although there are many specialist strategies for children with attachment disorder at some level, the approach with our types of kids will also benefit all the other students too and would probably look like good teaching practice for all teachers. - Calm approach
- Playful attitude towards controversy
- Creating a safe environment
- Building empathy with the student
- Being firmly in charge
- Not shouting
- Being curious about what is going on for the student
- Having appropriate, planned support if necessary
- Considering the learning strategies of each student
- Differentiated homework
- Well planned lessons with differentiated outcomes.
- Learning objectives that will cater for a variety of abilities and approaches.
etc etc
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dinky
Bronze Member
Married Adopter
Posts: 57 
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Post by dinky on Oct 17, 2013 20:18:29 GMT
Communication, Communication, Communication  Not only the teacher with the child and parents but between teachers and other members of staff. I have found that this has made a HUGE difference to DS at school as all teachers, TA's and other members of staff are all aware of what works best for him and what causes him to have a wobble. This year he has had the best start to the school year than ever before and it is all because last years teacher discovered how to motivate him (and how to deal with him when things go wrong  ) and has communicated it to everyone at school and they have ALL taken note and are following on with what works:D Sorry I am starting to ramble  but after a school that didn't do the above and made DS sooo unhappy I get carried away singing the praises of the new one  |
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Post by phoebe on Oct 17, 2013 22:49:29 GMT
Consistency - same routine every lesson - predictable feels safe
Safe seating plan - clear route to exit, clear view of everyone else - usually side or back of class, so doesn't feel vulnerable
No pressure - don't pick on me to answer questions or read out loud!Invite me to, but don't make a fuss if I don't!
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Post by barge on Oct 20, 2013 19:02:47 GMT
Noticing the child - often - making eye contact with a sign of encouragement e.g. a thumbs up.
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Post by janpan on Oct 20, 2013 20:21:48 GMT
Though I teach a Year 8 boy with attachment disorder who finds eye contact too challenging. So noticing the child and speaking a commentary to show it perhaps, if they can't manage eye contact with teachers?
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Post by moo on Oct 21, 2013 6:11:25 GMT
I'm with phoebe67...
My eldest has a 'routine ' memory like a vice..... As soon as it deviates it sets him off.... He is at last responding to suggestion & 1 on 1 explanation..... So my biggie is if changing a routine please explain even if it has to be the whole class if teachers are unsure who it will make anxious.... 
Xx. moo. Xx
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Post by kstar on Oct 21, 2013 19:41:10 GMT
Great ideas thanks, keep them coming :-)
The more the better, even if it just something that works for your LO.
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Post by justbserene11 on Oct 24, 2013 6:32:04 GMT
Using humour! I am a secondary school teacher and found this worked wHen trying to distract or diffuse. We try and use this as much as possible with our LO. The other suggestions are excellent
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Post by donatella on Oct 25, 2013 13:27:37 GMT
Louise Bomber - get them trained! She recently did a whole day training course for LAs in and around me. I managed to get in as our old PASW emailed me about it. She has a website - Yellow Kite. She's SE based but does a lot of training. Well worth the money.
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Post by kstar on Oct 25, 2013 19:03:17 GMT
Lol nice idea but no way, unless I win the lottery! Cash is so tight people don't even get to go on free exam board training because of the cover implications! Have to do this myself until I prove there's enough need / impact!
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) and has communicated it to everyone at school and they have ALL taken note and are following on with what works:D 
but after a school that didn't do the above and made DS sooo unhappy I get carried away singing the praises of the new one 
