Working with Disruptive and Distressed Students

1
Working with Disruptive and Distressed Students

• Georgia State University
• Counseling Center

2
Disruptive vs. Distressed

• Disruptive students
• Students that make teaching and learning
  difficult for others in the class by their
  behavior.
• Distressed students
• Students that are experiencing emotional and
  psychological problems that is interfering with
  their ability to learn.
• Students who are disruptive may also be
  distressed.

3
Disruptive Behaviors

• Whether a students behavior is disruptive is
  often subject to interpretation, and can range
  from confusing to violent.
• Common disruptive behaviors include
• Monopolizing class discussions
• Exhibiting a challenging or insolent manner
• Not doing class assignments
• Displaying overt disinterest (sleeping, leaving)

4
Disruptive Behaviors

• Consistently coming to class late or leaving
  early.
• Talking when someone else is speaking.
• Making constant excuses for their behavior.
• Being unaware of acceptable behavior (passing
  notes in class, answering cell phone)
• Refusing to participate in class discussion
• Being disrespectful of others in the class
• Physically or verbally threatening another
  student or College personnel

5
Underlying causes of disruptive behavior

• Students may have
• Underlying psychological problems.
• Confusion about class expectations or material.
• Difficult transition to college (i.e. still
  exhibiting high school behaviors.)
• Cultural values, norms and behaviors that are
  appropriate in cultural environment but clash
  with classroom setting.

6
Avoiding Disruptive Behavior

• Spell out expectations for class clearly in the
  syllabusbe detailed!.
• Review these the first class period.
• Get feedback from students early in the course
  about how the course is going to avoid later
  conflict.
• Look to non-disruptive students for learning
  cues is class following material or confused?

7
Handling Disruptive Behavior

• If student is disruptive, do
• Talk to them in private about situation.
• Explain clearly what is acceptable behavior in
  class.
• Discuss situation when both you and the student
  can be more calm about it (e.g. in your office
  hours)
• consider that the student may have emotional or
  psychological problems.
• discuss situation with others in your department,
  such as the Chair, if behavior continues.

8
Handling Disruptive Behavior

• If student is disruptive, dont
• Use class time to address the behaviorask to
  speak to student privately after class.
• Ignore the behavior.
• Refer student for counseling and ignore
  disciplinary concerns.
• Forget about your own safety. If at any time
  you feel threatened by a student, notify the
  Chair of your department and campus police.

9
Understanding GSU policy on Disruptive Students

• If a student is disruptive, the following actions
  can be taken
• You may orally warn student at the time of
  incident.
• You may ask a student to leave class.
• You may have security remove a student from class
  if they refuse to leave.
• You may have student removed from the course,
  with support of your department.

10
Disruptive or Distressed?

• Disruptive may also mean distressed.
• Distress signals include
• Depressionincluding poor concentration, loss of
  interest, withdrawal.
• Agitationstudent may appear anxious, cant sit
  still.
• Disorientationstudent seems out of it, may
  exhibit bizarre behavior.
• Suicidal expressions, thoughts or threats.
• Alcohol or drug abuse- including coming to class
  intoxicated.

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Distressed students

• Distressed students
• Are often frightened and overwhelmed.
• May have problems outside of school environment
  (home, relationships, psychological)
• May have limited social support or coping
  resources.
• May respond well to concern and resources for
  help.

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Distressed students

• If you believe student is distressed
• Talk with student privately.
• Show concern.
• Help student understand they can receive help
  for their distress.
• Provide student with referral information
  (counseling center)
• If you believe student is in danger of harming
  self or others, please contact counseling center
  immediately [phone].

13
GSU Counseling Center

• Individual and group counseling services
• Hours M-F 9-5, T 9-8pm (also after hours on call)
• Students can walk-in for emergencies.
• Staff can call to discuss situation with
  counseling center staff.
• Students can initiate counseling services by
  coming to the counseling center and completing
  intake paperwork.