Strategies that Teachers Can Use to Overcome “Learned Helplessness”

It is very important for teachers to make sure that their students do not develop patterns of learned helplessness. Below are strategies that teachers can help students to overcome learned helplessness

·      Build a daily expectation of communication through specific activities such as choosing the activity during recess, picking a book to read, or identifying where to each 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 of sabotage. 

·      Provide for choice making whenever possible that requires that student to his or her augmentative communication system.

·      Provide powerful phrases on the device for students to reject or protest something.