Situation:Visual supports provide students with the help they may need in academic situations when work appears overwhelming. One visual support is the use of post-it notes that provide answers to work tasks. Students see this strategy as novel and ‘doable’, motivating them to complete the work. The additional “demand” of having to both think of the answer and then write it is decreased and students become compliant vs. non-compliant. When work is perceived as over-whelming, the priority becomes addressing behaviors vs. academics.
I am a paraprofessional who works with a student in regular education settings and in a Support Room. He has a very hard time working. I’ve learned many strategies and have used them with some success but sometimes he will just groan and refuse to work. The other day he was doing so well and had finished 3 papers but refused to do the last one. I know he could do it but he just wouldn’t think and fill in the answers. What do I do in those cases? I hate to just say he doesn’t have to do it – that seems like going backwards and giving in.