Reference no: EM133702191

Assignment

Sylvia Jackson has a diverse class of 1st graders, some of whom are "a real handful." She is particularly worried about Dominic, who is very aggressive toward the other children. He often uses foul language and has even called her nasty names. On many occasions, Sylvia has had to intervene when he has hit other children. Today Dominic bit Christopher. Sylvia decides to involve Dom's parents. She calls and requests that they come in for a conference. She believes that perhaps Dominic has a behavior disorder. She'd like for him to be evaluated by the school psychologist.

"I'll come, Ms. Jackson, but my husband is awfully busy," responds Dominic's mother.

"That's just fine. I'll be happy to meet with you," says Sylvia.

The meeting does not go well. Dominic's mother refuses any form of psychological evaluation for him.

"Ms. Jackson, I want Dominic to have normal social relationships. That just isn't going to happen if he keeps hitting and biting other children. I really would like to see him get some help."

"You just don't want to do youre job! They'll drug my baby and he'll be a zombie! Absolutely not! I don't want that head-shrinker anywhere near my child!"

The next morning, as Sylvia arrives at work, her voice mail is blinking. An angry parent has left a message regarding Dominic's behavior toward her child. "If you can't protect my child from that MONSTER, then I'll sue!" yells the parent.

Sylvia is stymied. They can't perform an evaluation of Dominic without parental consent. Without the evaluation, he doesn't qualify for special education services. Yet the angry parent has a point: the other children must be protected from his aggressive actions. Sylvia decides on a course of action. She moves Dominic's desk slightly away from the others. She then takes out some blue painters' tape and makes a circle approximately three feet away from Dominic's desk.

When the children arrive, Sylvia shows Dominic to his new area, informing him that this is his office and that he must request permission when he wants to leave it. She tells the other students about Dominic's new "office" as well. She explains to them that they should not enter Dominic's office because it is his personal space. Dominic appears happy to have his own "office." While he rarely leaves it to lash out at other children, if they enter, he behaves quite aggressively.

Ashley is another student in the class. Ashley's mother comes to pick her up after school one day. Ashley takes her into the classroom to show her the new art project on which they have been working. When she enters the room, she can't help but see the blue tape on the floor. "What's with the tape, Ash?" she asks.

"Oh, that's for Dominic. We can't go in there or he'll bite us," she responds casually.

Ashley's mother is shocked. She isn't sure whether she is more shocked about the biting or the tape. Soon word spreads to other parents about the "biter" in Sylvia's class. Many parents call the school upset about the potential harm to their children.

Task

1. Why do you think Dominic's mother refused to have him evaluated by the school psychologist?

2. What do you think of Sylvia's way of dealing with Dominic's aggressive behavior? Why?

3. How would you react to the calls from other parents regarding their fears that Dominic might hurt their children?