BM-S6:Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and families.

BM-S8:Ability to recognize early warning signs of social and/or emotional difficulties.

Introduction

This unit describes a variety of topics that paraprofessionals often encounter when working with students who have challenging behaviors.

One topic is collaboration. Working with students who have particularly challenging behaviors is often a complicated process involving many people who are relevant to an individual student. Effective collaboration can be a powerful factor in successfully understanding the student, developing an intervention, and carrying out the intervention properly and consistently.

In lessons 2 and 3 we also cover the use of time-out and other punishment. Paraprofessionals work in a many settings involving teachers who represent different approaches to working with students who have challenging behaviors. Although this Para eLink curriculum emphasizes positive approaches to teaching appropriate behavior, it is important that you understand the concepts of time-out and punishment, because you will likely encounter them in your work as a paraprofessional.

Lastly, lesson 4 focuses on recognizing warning signs that can alert you to social or emotional problems students may have. Although there are professionals who specialize in assessing students for particular social or emotional problems, your ability to recognize early warning signs will help you discuss your observations with a teacher or social worker who can look into any concerns.

Objectives

As you read the objectives for this unit, think about and rate your current knowledge using the following scale.

1. I do not understand this.
2. I do understand this.
3. I understand this well enough to use in my work.
4. I could teach others about it and use it in my work.

Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• Work collaboratively with teachers, team members, and families.
• Recognize warning signs exhibited by individuals who may be experiencing social or emotional difficulties.
• Understand how and when punishment and time-out procedures are used.

The Para eLink is sponsored by the Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, located at the Institute on Community Integration in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

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