Out of Seat/Eloping
A student who is leaving their seat or eloping from the instructional area may...
- need more movement to regulate their attention and engagement
- physically leave the teaching area (seat, room, building, etc.)
- run away
- be frustrated with academic or social expectations
- struggle with time on task
- have difficulty navigating transitions
- be bothered by sensory distractions
- experience physical discomfort
- be impulsive or fidgety
- react physically to express emotions--excitement, disappointment, surprise, fear, happiness
When supporting a student who leaves their seat/instructional area, some general strategies involve
- avoid negative consequences that "feel" punitive
- reduce outside breaks as a strategy that may reinforce leaving the space (i.e., for other strategies, the strategy of purposeful movement is a good idea, but for a student who elopes providing additional opportunities to 'run away' may have negative outcomes)
- chart time in seat or space and provide specific praise
- adjust the seating environment--allow choice in seating
- interact frequently with the student; be mobile and ready to move to support the student
- use mindfulness/quiet moments in the classroom
- avoid competition or losing/error focus
- make certain that student gets the opportunity to express opinions and ideas
- allow individual work responses, rather than group
- put up a visual cue--stop sign
Interventions may include
- a calm corner in the classroom
- use chimes on your door to alert yourself to look in case you are turned away
- use space to plan and implement physical barriers (making "running" less easy)
- increase access to preferred activities in a non-preferred space
- expose the student to a non-preferred stimuli in the environment in small amounts with gradual increases
- setting alternate goals/tasks for the time in the classroom
- structure the environment to avoid dwelling or revisiting problems (perseverating)
- set up a frequent and consistent reinforcement system
- allow passive participation
- use safety social stories
- prepare materials in advance to reduce chance of frustration/challenge with mechanical or material issues
Literature Links
This is a topic that is individualized for responses. General books on fidgety behaviors or impulsive behaviors can be found on related links, but for eloping from class, it is suggested you work with your counselor and school psychologist for tools.
Teacher Readings