Redirection with Your Emotionally Disabled Child

Redirection with kids with an emotional disability is a something that a parent or teacher must do almost constantly to teach the social skills needed to survive in today's society. The emotionally disabled student has to be taught, almost by rote, all the skills to function on a daily and sometimes a hourly basis. When a middle school student comes to their first day of class for the school year, procedures must be practiced constantly to teach them the simplest actions. Whether it is ability or manipulation the emotionally disabled student has to watched and corrected.

The simple act of learning the combination of your locker and then being able to open your locker is sometimes a year long process. If the emotionally disable child is able to be mainstreamed into regular classes, they are usually assigned an aid to help them with their school work. Most of these kids are good students with a high desire to learn. What holds them back is that they get frustrated when they do not get the concept or when they are trying to follow directions and the teacher goes to fast. They can be easily calmed down if they ask their aide to be redirected. A simple strategy to help these kids is to take notes for them; right the directions down, and redirect them when they are off task.

The disability can affect their social skills also. These students sometimes have awkward moments in social situations. They can be easily frustrated and if not handled properly, the frustration can lead to anger or violence. They lash out when they do not understand something. Even a well loved adult or teacher can be the victim to these outbursts. Remember that they are trying to control themselves and they need the proper actions role modeled for them.