Strategies to Overcome Learned Helplessness

Tips on overcoming learned helplessness
 As we continue to explore the resources available in the text, Assistive Technology in the Classroom (Dell, et all, page 290) today's blog will offer the author's tips on how to help a student overcome learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a lack of communication on the student's part because of years of being told or implied that they could not do it on their own, as such they relay on others, and will not initiate or understand what is within their control.

1. Create the expectation that the student will make choices for specific activities on a daily basis - choosing their SSR book or choosing their free time activity
2. Daily report for student to communicate to parents
3. Allow natural consequences for communication (if not given a supply student will need to request it from teacher)
4. When child needs to express a choice, whenever possible require student to use augmentative communication device.
5. Provide means or phrases on device for student to reject or protest something.