Today, we know more about behavior and mental health than ever before. Mental health and behavioral disorders affect everyone from young children to elderly retirees. However, young students often struggle to grapple with it due to their age, inexperience, and yearning to be understood.
Historically, the education system hasn’t always taken mental health and behavioral disorders into account. Because of that, students struggling with ADHD and other disorders have often faced judgment and discipline for their behavior. Others feel misunderstood and stressed because of their differences.
That’s why modern schools need specialized behavioral support roles more than ever. Follow along as we explore how students and teachers alike can benefit from specialized behavioral support roles in schools.
Create Understanding Among Students
Young students face more challenges than ever. The rise of cyberbullying and online misinformation creates even wider gaps between students than ever before. However, skilled professionals can remove this gap and create understanding among students through specialized behavioral support.
Teachers, counselors, and social workers can help address certain behaviors and help others understand them. Educating the student body about such behaviors and the differences we all have can eradicate ignorance. This can help foster understanding and empathy, which can help stop bullying.
When students understand their peers’ differences, they can empathize with them. This understanding can show them that they aren’t so different after all.
Help Students Take the First Step in Seeking Help
The stigma surrounding personal differences, behavioral disorders, and mental health struggles is still strong. Because of this, many young students are afraid and unwilling to reach out for help. Even worse, many families can’t access adequate support due to economic reasons.
By offering specialized behavioral services at school, students can get help without their families spending a fortune. Social workers are in high demand, and schools need them more than ever. Counselors and social workers can recognize behavior in students who may not otherwise ask for help.
In doing so, they can intervene when students need it most and help them take the first step. Of course, this doesn’t involve forcing decisions upon students. However, having the option there can improve the lives of countless students and their families.
Support Teachers
Teachers are often the first school staff to notice behavioral differences in certain students. While they are mandated reporters, their education and training don’t revolve too much around behavioral disorders and mental health issues. However, schools that embrace specialized behavioral support can bolster their teachers’ skills and ability to help students.
Social workers, therapists, and counselors can educate teachers about what to look for and how to handle certain situations. In doing so, they can give students the best shot at getting the help they need as soon as possible. Helping those who need it most is the main reason to become a therapist, whether at a school or in private practice.
Teachers need this support as much as students, as they’re supposed to do everything possible to help their students. Unfortunately, teachers can easily become overwhelmed when trying to teach while dealing with struggling students. Schools owe it to their teachers and students to offer specialized behavioral support.
Reduce the Need for Disciplinary Action
While disciplinary action is sometimes necessary, it shouldn’t always be the first resort. For many years, students dealing with behavioral disorders and mental health issues were sometimes wrongfully punished. Social workers and counselors can help schools develop behavior intervention plans to remedy problems positively.
Of course, disciplinary action is sometimes necessary, especially in the case of bullying. However, behavioral support experts can offer functional behavioral assessments to help understand the reasons behind the behavior. For example, a teacher or social worker may determine that the student was seeking attention.
Otherwise, they may determine that the student has ADHD or another common condition. Instead of punishing people who need help, behavioral experts can help teachers reach solutions that benefit everyone.
Create Better Outcomes Through Behavioral Support
While it’s unfortunate the education system hasn’t always embraced behavioral support, it’s never too late to start. The growing demand for school social workers and counselors has shown that schools, students, and teachers can benefit from behavioral support. Not only does this support help students feel understood, but it can also improve their performance.
Teachers can tailor their interactions with certain students to their unique behaviors and mental health. In doing so, they can ensure students get the best possible experience without feeling inadequate because of their differences. Understanding the vast spectrum of behavior and mental health can improve the way teachers and students approach school.
Hiring support personnel, like social workers and counselors, can make a huge difference. However, training teachers about behavioral support is equally important. By supporting students through these differences, you can minimize their struggles. This can ultimately create better outcomes and give students the best chance for success.
