Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Special Education, Depression, or Defiance? I have a student who has an identified Specific Learning Disability (SLD). At the beginning of the year, the student would put a minimal amount of effort into their work. I always followed accommodations and worked one-on-one as often as the classroom dynamics permitted. During the middle of the year, I had a student intern who worked solely with this student but the student's performance began decreasing and they were becoming more detached. After the student intern left, we had the student re-evaluated and it was determined they have a visual processing disorder in addition to their SLD. I saw hope after this news because I thought this was the answer to this student's lack of motivation and involvement. I went through all the modifications (and extra) for the visual processing disorder-still nothing. I contacted the mother and she has yet to return my phone calls, emails, and the Special Education teachers phone calls. I am at a loss on how to help this student. I recently ask them if they were happy and they simply shrugged. I asked if they knew a way that I could help them and again shrugged. The student will not make eye contact with me or other students, will not accept assistance from myself or others, and will only put their head down during class. I've never experienced a student this withdrawn in sixth grade. I can't figure it out if the student is struggling because of their special education needs, if they are being defiant, or if they are depressed. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I agree with the first solution of building a relationship with the student that is not based on school. There is no telling what this student is going through at home and he probably needs someone to simply take an interest in his life. Let the student in on your life; your family, pets, hobbies, favorites, etc. so he can begin to feel comfortable with you and hopefully will begin to open up. I would encourage him to try on his work, however, don't let that be the main reason you are trying to build a relationship with him. Even if you don't see an academic or behavioral breakthrough, keep trying. Even in the upcoming years, continue to show an interest and build that relationship with him and it will eventually break through to his academics.