The Role of School Personnel: Managing OCD in the Classroom
Managing OCD in the Classroom
In any classroom, the teacher is the central figure who leads the class in learning, enlightens with insight, maintains order, promotes good behavior and rewards good work. The teacher also sets the mood of the classroom.
When a teacher has a positive attitude, the students are also likely to be positive. Conversely, a teacher's negative attitude can have an adverse impact on the class. A teacher's approach is all the more important for students with OCD. When a teacher supports and encourages these students, and tolerates no ridicule or discrimination from other students, it can make a huge difference in terms of how the student with OCD progresses.
One of the most important things teachers must remember when faced with the challenge of managing OCD in the classroom is that children and adolescents are very impressionable. Peer pressure to fit in and to be part of a group of friends can be extremely hard on a student who has OCD.
There are a number of ways teachers can provide support. With some planning, a teacher can make accommodations that help the student academically and socially. The following sections, beginning with Healthful Support Strategies, will provide ideas and strategies for teachers and other school personnel to work more successfully with and improve the school functioning of a student who has what may be a very distressing disorder.
Learn more about support strategies