Went to FL conference last week, myself and 3 team members. We now have our other 3 team members on board with WBT.

Today was orientation, all but 1 of my 22 students came in to meet me. I'd say that's a great start. I have one student specific that I began wondering about what I can try with him on day 1.

I am having an open mind and looking at this as a new year for him, but still want to be prepared should we have issues the 1st day.

Mom tells me right away he has ADHD, takes meds, but sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, and they may take a couple of hours to work. He takes them in a.m before coming to school. She said if it's not working, there WILL definitely be problems. I'm told from a previous teacher he had in 1st grade, but hasn't seen since that he can have violent outbursts with no warning...maybe that's changed.

He was in my room about 10 minutes today. Never once looked at me.

If I spoke to him, or asked him a question, he'd just ignore.

He'd through his head up in the air with a nod, while his gum was falling/stretching from his mouth. Mom also had 6 other kids with her, so I "think" he is probably lacking attention at home.

I could tell he will be a mover, as he was constantly on the move while here briefly this morning.

Will just the WBT strategies that I start in the beginning be enough go help (class/yes, teach ok, procedure routines, etc...) or is there something specific that may work with him based on what his personality seems to be? I call it the "too cool for school attitude" Thanks in advance!

Remember, it's a long year ... any special technique you start early with this student, the more likely it is to wear out before the school year ends. Start on a positive note ... you won't know if the basics of WBT will not work, until you've tried them for some time ... several weeks to a month. If you become absolutely desparate because his behavior is disrupting the entire class ... then go to the bullseye game and then the Agreement Bridge ... these are our last two options in a six level system ... so, don't go to them too quickly. Hopefully, you can make the Scoreboard last for at least a month and then go to the Practice Cards. The levels are
1. Scoreboard
2. Practice Cards
3. Guff Counter
4. Indpendents
5. Bulls Eye
6. Agreement Bridge ...
In general, we've found the first two levels will, if applied consistently (!), take care of almost all management problems.

I cannot offer any WBT advice - Mr. Biffle does this nicely - but I cannot resist offer a few thoughts, if that's permitted:

(1) Actively work on building relationship with this child. Just offer very brief, specific, simple statements. ("I notice you skateboard." I notice you caught a grounder in gym class." "I notice you draw well.") Just comment (to him alone, not in front of the class) and walk away. He might not acknowledge you, but he will hear you, and I am betting he will appreciate you. When he trusts that you notice and care about him, it will be easier for him to cooperate.

(2) Talk to your vp about whether the school could administer meds in the morning. This worked well for me one year.

(3) There may be problems other than ADHD. You say he does not look at or answer you. Is this a pattern with other students and/or adults? He may have a social anxiety disorder. Does he ever do what he is asked? If not, he may have ODD. You might want to begin a journal. Your attention and documentation may help uncover any additional issues, which will allow him to receive additional help.

Good luck!
Eileen

Thanks Chris. I had planned on following the levels, I guess I was just wondering if there was any one on one I could try with him on the first day if we get off to a rough start right away.
I am walking in on Monday and will be positive. I believe everyone gets a fresh start each year and that one year can be very different from the last.
Eileen, I will definitely take your advice as well. I can't answer your 3rd questions/comments though because I just met him. We'll see what the year has in store for us!

Nikki,
My ADHD daughter was having trouble in school. Her behavior clip was going from green straight to red every day. The teacher was emailing everyday saying my daughter was defiant and refusing to do her assignments. So, I tried the Bull's eye game that Chris suggested and it completely turned around her behavior. It took about 2 weeks. She has an excellent behavior record now going on 1 year. And all this was before we started using medication!
Bill

How is everything going down there in Florida with WBT and your ADHD student? One technique I have used with not only ADHD students, but also students who are "too cool" for some of the WBT practices is to make them your partner when you model new gestures or when you do the teach-okay. These students need the one-on-one attention. You could also mentor one of your TOP [Teach-Okay Prodigy] students to work with him/her.

PS - I am originally from West Palm Beach...what part of FL are you in?