Aggression Management

What it is

An area of student need based on his/her demonstrated verbal, non-verbal or physical actions.

Teaching Strategies

Instructional
• Use direct instruction/social skills lessons to teach appropriate ways to express anger.
• Establish baseline of current frequency of aggression and develop alternative programming goal on the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Collaborate with the in-school support team.
• Deliver a balanced program, reflecting preferred and non-preferred activities for the student, to decrease likelihood of aggression.
More...

Environmental

• Establish a “time-out”/”cool-down” area(s) and protocol for use.
• Keep scissors or other potentially dangerous items in a teacher-controlled area.
• Post classroom rules, routines and schedules.
• Teach the entire class emergency exit procedures and have a predetermined location evacuation.
• Provide calming tools (stress balls, "fidget" toys, drawing, music/iPod).
• Post and refer to social skills charts outlining pro-social responses.
• Use preferential seating and close proximity to the teacher.

Assessment

• Give advance notice of tests and assignments (e.g. one-week/month notice on a written calendar).
• Give a choice of assessment options.
• Provide an option for open book tests.
• Minimize distractions; consider an alternative testing location.
• Chunk tests and assignments into small tasks and provide feedback as each component is completed.
• Reduce quantity of test/assignment items.
• Provide additional time (ensure space is available, should it extend into recess/next class).
• Provide periodic supervised breaks.



Resources
For Purchase

Teaches “cool” way to handle anger at all division levels with video enactments

Computer games to teach social skills.

Student Needs IPRC Exceptionalites Diagnosed Conditions