Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is defined as a condition that a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness.  This feeling can prevent students to be successful in the classroom. 

There are five tips to overcome learned helplessness.  The first is the build a daily expectation of communication.  This can be done through activities like letting the student choose the activity they want to do.  The second tip is to construct a daily report that is communicated by the student.  The third is to allow natural consequences; this includes a less restrictive environment.  The fourth tip is to provide students to make a choice whenever possible so the student uses their augmentative communication system.  The final tip is to provide powerful phrases so students can reject or protest.

These tips can be very helpful personally when I am in the classroom.  I do not want my students to become dependent on me doing things for them while they need to experience it and become independent.

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