Case
Distracting Laughter

I am currently interning in a high school ESE class and there is a student in my class that starts laughing hysterically in the middle of lessons. My CT usually sends them outside (we have courtyard outside the classroom) to calm down. It rarely works though and the student still ends up laughing hysterically. It is very distracting when I am teaching and to the other students. Any ideas on how to control them?

Posted on: 11/09/18 | Views: 721
Solution #1
Top Solution
The first thing you need to do is determine if this behavior is resulting from something related to their own exceptionalities. If that is the case, then the way that you proceed, is going to depend on how you should proceed, based on their specific needs laid out in their IEP. Once that is complete, if it is not outlined in their IEP, you could try to talk to the student prior to class, to determine what might be triggering them to behave this way in the middle of the lessons. Creating that connection with the student, might curb the behavior but also give you insight, as to this specific student's needs while in your class. There are so many reasons why the student may be laughing but I think asking them is a good place to start, then you can create a plan based on that information.

I think that this is the best solution for a situation like this. It is important to consider whether or not the laughter is related to a disability that a student has and if there are steps outlined in the IEP for working with it.

I agree this is a good approach for the situation.

I think this is the best plan of action to help you and the students.

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Solution #2
Is there any indication as to what is triggering the laughter? If not, perhaps pull the student aside to ask what he/she is laughing about. A fidget to play with when the student feels he/she is about to laugh could be a helpful distraction. If this doesn't work, a parent-teacher conference could be needed.

I think this is the best solution. I think figuring out what is triggering the laughter is best.

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Solution #3
One thing I like to do with my special needs kids is use reminders. If the student laughs out in class I will remind them of my expectations once. "Jimmy (or whatever the name may be), remember we use inside voices in class." If the problem persists, ask the student if they are making a good choice or a poor choice. If they can self-reflect, and even most of my severe autistic kids can, they will try to re-evaluate and readjust themselves.
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Solution #4
I would sit with the student to find out why the student is laughing and contact the parents. The student might also be laughing because they may not understand the material and this is a way to feel like they are in control.
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Solution #5
I would try to find out if this behavior is a fidget for the student. If it is you can try to retrain this fidget to something else that is less distracting to the class.
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Solution #6
The best solution is to figure out what is bothering the student and then work from there.
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Solution #7
I would see if this behavior is resulting from their exceptionalities first. It might be worth it to talk the student one on one to understand why he is behaving this way if the laughter is not a result from an exceptionality.
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Solution #8
Ignoring the behavior is ideal; however, it seems that is difficult to do here. Finding or identifying the trigger(s) to the laughter is essential. If able, provide redirection or a distractor when it is believed the behavior will be triggered.
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Solution #9
This behavior could be mental or a disorder if it is being repeated as you are stating. First I would talk with the student about it to find out the possible cause and to find a solution that would work for you and them.
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Solution #10
Does this student have an FBA? I am curious, as the behavior is not avoided or ignored, it is dealt with head-on by bringing this student alone outside to just have the outburst. I am wondering about the route cause of this behavior. I suggest starting a Behavior Change Project on this student and collecting data based on the behaviors exhibited and what interventions you put into place. I think there needs to be a change adjusted so learning can happen for this student. I also suggest a quiet sign or visual in the form of velcro to the student's desk to remind them during lessons to remain quiet. These are just some possible solutions.
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Solution #11
oh wow, this is a tough one. It's really important to find out why they are laughing in hopes to fix that. I would pull the student out of class, after class, and get to the bottom of it and brainstorm some consequences if they don't stop. Sending the student out of the room might be more of an incentive and that could be why they keep laughing.

I agree that the student might be laughing now because they know they get out of class. I would sit with the student to find out why the student is laughing and contact the parents.

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Solution #12
Prior to the lesson I think it would be a good idea to pull the student aside and find out why they laugh during your lessons. Explain to them that you're in college to be a teacher and its really important to you as a future teacher to create lessons that are intriguing and informative and if there is something that you are doing thats distracting them and making them laugh so that you can try to prevent the behavior from happening. Hopefully the student will have empathy.

Respectfully, I disagree. I think that it would be better to remind the student that they are in a classroom environment. Also, it is imperative to remember this is an ESE classroom; therefore, you should consult the student's IEP to ensure the proper course.

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Solution #13
If the behavior is related to an emotional/behavioral disability, then check with the behavioral specialist the student works with.
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