Defiant
A student who is defiant may...
- be unaware that they are being defiant
- want to feel in control/significant
- misunderstand directions
- lash out verbally
- ignore rules
- argue
- banter
- dislike being told what to do or do the opposite
- appear to do "what they want/when they want"
- meltdown (or tantrum)
- quietly or passively refuse
When supporting a student who is defiant, some general strategies involve
- being calm and neutral
- approach a student privately
- active listening/i-statements
- reinforce compliance for other behaviors/competing behaviors
- avoid sarcasm
- do not give ultimatums (i.e., do this or you can leave)
- preview/prime expectations
- give clear, simple directions (small steps)
- provide visuals
- identify a peer model
- avoid negotiating
Interventions may include
- give wait time (a full minute)
- give two acceptable choices
- triple positive to negative ratio
- provide "off time" at the initial direction and then re-visit (i.e., let the student read while you work with the rest of the class to begin, and then go back to the student...rather than try to convince the student initially and then "cave" because you need to move on to the rest of the class)
- consider planned ignoring
- redirect with non-verbals
- present a reinforcer before a trigger (i.e., if you X, I'll add Y to your break)
- "lower" your expectation so that it is attainable to be able to reinforce
Literature Links
No, No, No by Marie-Isabelle Callier
Beatrice Doesn't Want To by Laura Numeroff
Ozzie and the Art Contest by Dana Sullivan
The Worst Day of My Life Ever by Julia Cook
Making a Splash by Carol E Reiley
What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
Teacher Readings
The Explosive Child by Ross Greene