2010 Convention: Dealing With Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom: A Problem Solving Approach - Dr. Chaim Neuhoff and Rabbi Shmelka Klein

All rebbeim and teachers have come in contact with volatile students. These talmidim can unpredictable exhibit chutzpa, explosive behavior and physical aggression - behaviors that have extremely adverse effects on functioning at school. These children often carry various diagnoses such as ADHD, depression, bipolar, Tourette's, nonverbal learning disability, Aspergers Syndrome, and language processing impairment. Typical reward and punishment approaches are somewhat successful in changing these behaviors. Yet, for a substantial percentage of students, these approaches are not effective because these children simply lack the skills to comply with various aspects of the classroom setting.

This workshop will discuss a skills-based approach called "Collaborative Problem Solving" and discuss modifications how to apply this method in our yeshivos. This approach is based on the premise that explosive behavior is often the result of deficient skills in the domains of flexibility/adaptability, frustration tolerance and problem-solving. Teachers will thus acquire an understanding of the various skill deficits underlying this behavior. In addition, this approach will help rebbeim teach these deficient cognitive skills tot the children, which reducing the frequency and intensity of explosive, non-compliant behaviors at school.