Case
Hands to Yourself

I have a student in my classroom that is constantly touching his peers. Whether sitting in a chair, sitting on the rug, in line, in the bathroom--everywhere. Most of the time it's innocent, but it does bother his peers. My assistant and I continually remind him to keep his hands to himself. We have also used visuals while giving this direction, but he continues to touch others. What can I do to keep his hands to himself?

Posted on: 02/23/20 | Views: 464
Solution #1
Set up a conference with his parents together create a system that can ensure he keeps his hands to himself and reinforce his positive behaviors when not touching others with things he enjoys doing at school. Also try adding more sensory elements in the classroom and during lesson concepts to keep his hands busy.

Including more sensory elements was a clever idea!

I like the idea of including sensory elements to help the student.

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Solution #2
I would remind this student to keep his hands to himself by giving him a cue; for example hands on his lap, or I'd give him a fidget toy to see if that helps. This student will then learn that I expect his hands to be on one place either the fidget which could be a squishy, book or a stuffed animal or I'd have him tap his thighs while sitting criss cross apple sauce/ sitting in a chair.

I think this is a great solution because it allows the student to have sensory objects and potentially keep their hands to themselves. If the issue gets more serious and wont stop then maybe speak to the parents.

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Solution #3
This concern is problematic. I wouldn't be surprised if parents begin to call the front office with their concerns about their children being touched by this student. Without question, the student does not have any right to place their hands on anyone. This is non-negotiable. The students stimulation needs/causes could be approached with manipulatives they keep with them to act as a reminder and prevent such behavior. Consequences must be attached for the behavior and...unfortunately, this is not one that could be ignored.
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Solution #4
I would definitely consider making a conference with his parents. I would discuss your concerns with them about him keeping his hands to himself. This way his parents are aware and could help him work on it outside of school. I would also try to display appropriate behavior of giving classmates personal space and keeping hands to themselves.
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Solution #5
I do not think that visuals while giving these directions is enough for this student. I think you should be reminding them of the school-wide rules each day in the morning and also that we keep our hands and our feet to ourselves. You could play a song about keeping your hands and feet to yourself on Youtube, there are loads of great videos to aid in this whole concept about my personal bubble and keeping to one's self. Also maybe create a dance where everyone in the classroom can dance to each morning to remind them of these rules.
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Solution #6
Could it be a sensory problem? If so it may help to give him something to hold throughout the day like a stuffed animal or a buddy.
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Solution #7
I would set up a parent-teacher conference to talk to the parents about the issue. Find out if this is just something that happens at school or if it happens outside of school. I would talk to him privately. I would offer to give him a fidget toy if it is due to just being fidgety. If this does not help, try putting boundary tape on the floor to tell him while he is at his desk, he needs to stay within the tape at all times. If nothing is helping, involve administration along with the guidance counselor and the parents again. Come up with a behavior management plan and steps to help the student.
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Solution #8
One possible solution is to encourage students that are bothered by this behavior to speak up whenever they feel uncomfortable when touched. Some individuals are very touchy-feely when it comes to interaction and communication therefore shaming will not help but more so redirection to use gestures and words more than his hands himself can help.
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Solution #9
I would set a conference up with the parents and discuss isolating the student away from the class. This might resolve the issue when the student understands that they are away from the group.
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Solution #10
You could help everybody create a "personal bubble" at the beginning of the day and teach student to ask before touching because we do not want to pop others bubbles.
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Solution #11
I suggest you provide the student with sensory toy options. If the behavior is innocent most of the time, the student is probably in need of an object to hold or play with.
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Solution #12
One solution would be to redirect the students attention by changing the situation, such as having them move to a different section during rug time, having the stand next to an assistant in the line. Another potential solution is changing his actions by giving a more concrete suggestion. Instead of saying keep your hands to yourself, provvide a sensory toy or ask him to give himself a hug, cross his arms, or a high five to redirect that energy elsewhere.
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Solution #13
Give him a squishy thing for him to hold in his hands
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Solution #14
keep reinforcing the command hands to yourself. remember that takes time to develop a habit, takes even more time to get rid of one. Create a mini behavioral plan, so you can praise the student maybe with treasure box at the end of the week.

I would add more sensory activities within the classroom. The student may have some pent up energy that he needs to release or exercise his mind in a different way. If the student is overly fidgety, he could be losing interest. Try talking to him to see what his interests are. Try to incorporate those likes into a lesson.

I like how you related this disruption to be a sensory issue because it looks like it is a huge possibility.

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