Apathetic Student
Technique: Genuine concern is the first response.
Procedures:
- First check for a possible medical cause, either by going through
the school nurse or directly to the parents. This may be a serious sign
of depression, and is sometimes a precursor of suicide. If it appears
that the apathy is deep and pervasive, immediate attention is important.
The student may not respond "typically" to efforts to help
and may become hostile.
Behavior Checklist
- ____ May seem withdrawn
- ____ May be whiny and clinging
- ____ May give up trying
- ____ May appear lethargic
- ____ May cry easily
- ____ May seem aggressive
- ____ May daydream excessively
- ____ May seem tense
- ____ May express exaggerated fear
- ____ Often has poor posture
- ____ Facial features lack energy
- ____ May write or dwell on death
- ____ May tell others that suicide is being considered
- Next, review student records to see if the intellectual ability or
the level of success in the current academic area are contributing factors.
A small amount of frustration adds zest to life, and may spur growth
and creativity, but severe or prolonged frustration may cause rigidity
and materially curtail desire for interaction or attempts to succeed.
If the student stops trying to succeed it is possible to individualize
instruction, sometimes with as simple a technique as "chunking" work.
- Decrease the amount required (do the odd or even numbered items).
- Begin with tasks that are appealing and match student interests.
- Stay away from concerns about being "fair" and navigate
around students who impose a personal agenda on you and the student.
- Provide sincere early responses to student efforts to succeed.
- Entertain the idea of pairing the student to increase stimulation,
peer interaction and motivation to continue.
- The student may be suffering from culture shock, particularly if
English is a second language. Moving and coping with a new expectations,
a new and a new language can be overwhelming.
- Empathy is the best response.
- Allow the student to express self in ways other than reading and
writing.
- Have the student write a response in the native language and share
with other students, highlighting the successes they have understanding
a new language.
- Provide opportunities for the student to share culture with others.
- The student may have a different learning style, and if failure occurs
when trying to do work, the student may lose heart. This is often made
worse by feeling anxiety, then being unable to focus. This may also
signal a learning disability.
- When things go wrong at home, children suffer. Expect some children
to be suffering, then comfort and console the youth who is hurting,
in pain, depressed.
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