Strategies for Teachers
Studies have shown that teachers do not praise positive behavior enough. Typically, this is not an issue, however, when a child suffers from ODD, this lack of positive praise has a bigger impact. The child needs the continuous positive praise for the good behavior. Simply increasing the amount of praise given for this type of behavior can help the child in the school setting. Ignoring the inappropriate behavior is also beneficial in such a setting. It is important for the teacher to establish clear rules and boundaries that are required. When these are not met, the teacher should provide the child with corrective actions. There are a variety of ways the teacher can reward positive behavior. I have listed a few reward systems seen in the classroom setting:
- Clip up chart - each child in the classroom starts at the same place on the chart and as good behavior is modeled, the child's name is "clipped up" on the chart.
- Tickets can be given throughout the day for good behavior and after so many tickets, the child can pick out a prize from the prize box.
- Additional free time is given for positive behavior