How to Help a Student Who Feels Everyone Is Wrong

As a teacher, it can be difficult and tiring to help a student who feels everyone else is wrong. The child may be simply going through an age-appropriate phase and beginning to question authority. Oppositional behavior is normal in early adolescence. However, if the behavior continues long-term, deviates from normal behavior of the child's age group and leads to problems at school or home, it may be a sign of a mental health condition. Find out what the problem is, and you can help the child to succeed in school.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to the child's parent and determine if he has been diagnosed with any mental health conditions. Grandiosity, or an exaggerated sense of superiority, can be a sign of bipolar disorder or narcissistic personality disorder. Children with oppositional defiant disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder often have problems accepting authority. Recommend the child's parents seek a professional evaluation if the problem persists and no diagnosis exists.

• 2

  Test the student for giftedness. Many children of high intelligence have difficulty submitting to authority and may feel frustrated when others don't live up to their expectations. If the child is gifted, it may help for you to provide more challenging work.

• 3

  Reinforce positive behavior. When the child behaves appropriately, praise her actions. If the child normally refuses to do her work, praise her during the rare occasions when she completes it.

• 4

  Establish consequences for inappropriate behavior. Make sure consequences are consistent and last for a set amount of time. Don't punish certain behaviors sometimes, and let them go other times.

• 5

  Work with the child's parents. You should be using similar discipline techniques at school and at home.