Strategies used to Overcome "Learned Helplessness

In a classroom, many students may not realize it, but they are giving in to the term, "learned helplessness". This term means that the student is used to disappointment and failure at succeeding because to them they are not reaching success and as a result, they don't try anymore because they feel that its no use to them.

As a teacher, this is our worst nightmare. We never want a child to ever feel this way. We do everything in our power to let the child know that they are worthy of doing great things. However, sometimes its not what we say to a child, rather the techniques and methods we use that can help that child not feel so helpless anymore and overcome that learned aspect. 

Some tips for Overcoming Learned Helplessness:

• Build daily expectation of communication through specific activities such as choosing the activity during recess, picking a book to read, or identifying where to eat lunch
• Construct a brief daily report to parents that is communicated by the student
• Allow natural consequences to occur and provide avenues for repair. This includes setups that alter the environment to provide less support or sabotage
• Provide for choice making whenever possible that requires the student to use his or her augmentative communication system
• Provide powerful phrases on the device for students to reject or protest something

Resources:

Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012).Assistive Technology in the Classroom:Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with DIsabiltiies. New Jersey: Pearson. (Original work published 2008)