For Big Results, Keep Expectations High

When dealing with a student with special needs, it is easy to fall into the trap of doing too much for them.  While it is important for the paraprofessional to be there to support a special needs student, too much support, or support that is not actually needed, can create learned helplessness and be detrimental to a student’s growth, both academically and socially.

Therefore, it is important for paraprofessionals to work to keep their expectations for their students high by:

• Allowing and encouraging students to do anything and everything they can and should do for themselves.
• Remembering that no matter what the cognitive age of the child is, it is important to treat him or her socially in accordance with his or her chronological age.
• Expecting and encouraging age-appropriate social behavior.
• Asking yourself, “How would I feel if I had an adult right next to me all day long?”, and having the courage to give students personal space to interact with the classroom teacher, other students, and to work independently.