Off to work at the preschool this morning
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238317)
Walnut Creek, California
January 10, 2019 10:47am CST
I'm heading out, and will be at my friend's preschool for the next four hours. I'm supposedly a "behavioral specialist," and have been working with some "troubled" boys, one of whom was recently placed in foster care.
The boys are doing well, and I'm always thinking of ways to "empower" them, as I think that acting out usually come from feelings of powerlessness. I'll lead with a picture from the other preschool. Kids find pleasure in the silliest things, and working with them always makes me smile.
9 people like this
9 responses
@jeanena (2198)
• Bucklin, Kansas
10 Jan 19
That is a great picture , beautiful little dolls I love the smiles. As a Behavioral Specialist I would like to ask you what you think is the best way to handle a child with ODD. I seem to be able to deal with him better than most when he is on one of his Outbursts .He also has ADHD. I don't get angry with him like some other people do . I just talk to him and can usually get him over it faster like that.
I am pretty sure I know what cause his feelings . We talk about his Moms choices a lot, I don't sugar coat anything for him and his baby sister.
1 person likes this
@jeanena (2198)
• Bucklin, Kansas
11 Jan 19
@TheHorse His diagnosis from the Mental Health Psychiatrist was ODD --- Oppositional defiant disorder is a childhood disorder that is characterized by negative, defiant, disobedient, and often hostile behavior toward adults and authority figures primarily. The description is not my words..
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@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jan 19
I would just validate his emotions and behaviors and talk about times you do what he does. Do you mean OCD? That (validating and discussing) gives him labels for his behaviors and makes him more "in control" of them. ADHD, to me, is sometimes code for "being a boy." Boys take up more space than girls and seem to have more of an impulse to "destroy." I jut go with that energy and encourage them not to destroy until we've made the stacky tower (or whatever) "really big."
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jan 19
@jeanena Ah, ODD, I forgot that one! Understood. I just had a brain fart. When I work with ODD kids, I like to separate the kid from the behavior. To "discuss" ODD behavior with the kid, and what they gain from it. I try not to react negatively to it, as that is the usual response they get. Animal theraapy also works with some ODD kids, though you have to watch them closely at first.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
10 Jan 19
Great photo! It's so sad that boys that young are already having problems.
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@wolfgirl569 (135784)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Jan 19
Glad they are doing good. Kids can be a lot of fun.
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@Deepizzaguy (122172)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Jan 19
Working with children and brightening their days makes you a very happy teacher since the kids are going to be our future.
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@TheHorse (238317)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jan 19
Yes! When I'm old and have to have a tumor removed from my whatever, I'd rather have the surgery be done by someone who is happy and self-confident and has good values. Happy and confident kids (I hope) become happy, confident and competent adults.
@nela13 (59365)
• Portugal
10 Jan 19
Children are happy with so little, these two little girls look so happy 
