Scenario for Role Play 15
Teacher role
Joan is a very likable, above-average intelligence, nine-year old third grader who has three older sisters and a six-year old brother. Her father is a professional, and her mother was recently discharged from a drug rehabilitation center. All the children except Joan have accepted the home situation. Their father, who prefers to live in his own apartment, is liked by his children, but their mother does not share that affection. Joan loves both her parents and her siblings. Her school work doesn’t compare favorably with her past record. She misses school frequently, and when she is in school often has imaginary pains and illnesses. A physical examination indicated she is in good health. She is coming to talk to you now.
Considerations
- Possible background information
- Behavioral causes
- Possible solutions
- Consider theories, models, or other information used to help guide your decision making
- Create a script for talking with Joan.
Student role - Joan
You are a very likable, above-average, nine-year old third grader with three older sisters and a six-year old brother. Your father is a professional, and your mother was recently discharged from a drug rehabilitation center. Your father lives in his own apartment. You love both your parents and want to live with both. You know that father is leaving tonight for a business trip and you won’t get to see him for the rest of the week. The thought is making you sick. You go to the teacher and complain of a stomach ache.
Teacher - Suggestions
Suggestions to encourage change from self-limiting behaviors to mastery oriented behaviors. See Conversations to change behavior
and possible verbal interactions and interventions.
Short term
- Let the student go to the nurses office or home.
- Tell the student to sit down and tuff it out.
- Ask the student what they wanted to do.
- Talk with the student to try and allow them to acknowledge their actions.
Long term
- Suggest student and parent(s) visit a counselor or psychiatrist for family counseling.
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