Sexual Development Definition and Factors

Focused Topics Sexual Development & Behavior in K-12 Students Lesson 5 Learn Sexual Development Definition and Factors Reflection	WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG ACTIVITY ID: 23451 Name Certifier Date
You may find it helpful to complete this activity if you need assistance with understanding and reflecting on the sexual development and behavior of students in your care. Think about a student’s sexual development-physical changes, knowledge and beliefs, and behaviors and record the information in the table. Physical Changes Typical for 11-year-old Knowledge & Beliefs Advanced knowledge of sexual language and sex acts Believes threatening and physical behavior is a way to get what he wants and resolve conflict with others Behaviors Uses threats of a violent and sexual nature to respond to conflict with students, even those that are much younger Forcefully touched another student’s private parts Record your thoughts on the following factors to reflect on a student's sexual behavior. Culture & Family Norms It has been difficult for program staff to collaborate with Vanessa and Chris, Cameron’s parents. They have a very authoritarian, no-tolerance parenting style. Sheila has provided information to the family on social-emotional development and positive guidance. When Sheila hears of Cameron doing good things in the program, she always shares this with Vanessa and Chris. Development Cameron has a history of challenging behavior. He received special education in preschool due to delayed social-emotional development, though he no longer qualifies for services at his kindergarten transition. Last school year, he went through the evaluation process at school and the evaluation team recommended he qualify as a student with an emotional disturbance. Vanessa and Chris disagreed with this and would not consent to an IEP. They feel the problem is with the school, not their son. Function of the Behavior Cameron threatens using violent and sexual language to get what he wants. He couldn’t really state why he touched Makayla but did say that he gets “mad over stupid stuff” and that she was “going to get it.” Frequency & Participation This is the first time staff observed Cameron inappropriately touching another student, but he has a history of using profanity and violent language with other students. Cameron will participate in a wide range of activities, but several of the other students in the program don’t want to be around him. Environment Staff don’t feel there is a particular environment or activity where these behaviors occur more often, but peer collaboration activities are most challenging for Cameron. Effect on Others Cameron’s behavior upset and violated Makayla. Different students exposed to single incidents react in various ways, so we don’t know what future support she will need, if any. Cameron’s behavior is creating an environment where other students don’t want to be around him. Makayla is not the only student staff have heard refer to him as a bully. Other students may have observed the incident and will need support in understanding what they saw is not an appropriate way to handle conflict. Redirection Staff have been providing targeted supports (Tier 2 of the Pyramid Model) for several months. They have been trying to build Cameron’s self-esteem by pointing out the good things he does and providing mini rewards for his good behavior, but this has not been very effective. Cameron initiates confrontation and uses threatening language on a frequent basis. Learn more about the Pyramid Model and targeted supports in the Focused Topics course Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors.

Reflection

WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG

ACTIVITY ID: 23451

Name

Certifier

Date

You may find it helpful to complete this activity if you need assistance with understanding and reflecting on the sexual development and behavior of students in your care.

Think about a student’s sexual development-physical changes, knowledge and beliefs, and behaviors and record the information in the table.

Physical Changes

Typical for 11-year-old

Knowledge & Beliefs

Advanced knowledge of sexual language and sex acts
Believes threatening and physical behavior is a way to get what he wants and resolve conflict with others

Behaviors

Uses threats of a violent and sexual nature to respond to conflict with students, even those that are much younger
Forcefully touched another student’s private parts

Record your thoughts on the following factors to reflect on a student's sexual behavior.

Culture & Family Norms

It has been difficult for program staff to collaborate with Vanessa and Chris, Cameron’s parents. They have a very authoritarian, no-tolerance parenting style. Sheila has provided information to the family on social-emotional development and positive guidance. When Sheila hears of Cameron doing good things in the program, she always shares this with Vanessa and Chris.

Development

Cameron has a history of challenging behavior. He received special education in preschool due to delayed social-emotional development, though he no longer qualifies for services at his kindergarten transition. Last school year, he went through the evaluation process at school and the evaluation team recommended he qualify as a student with an emotional disturbance. Vanessa and Chris disagreed with this and would not consent to an IEP. They feel the problem is with the school, not their son.

Function of the Behavior

Cameron threatens using violent and sexual language to get what he wants. He couldn’t really state why he touched Makayla but did say that he gets “mad over stupid stuff” and that she was “going to get it.”

Frequency & Participation

This is the first time staff observed Cameron inappropriately touching another student, but he has a history of using profanity and violent language with other students.
Cameron will participate in a wide range of activities, but several of the other students in the program don’t want to be around him.

Environment

Staff don’t feel there is a particular environment or activity where these behaviors occur more often, but peer collaboration activities are most challenging for Cameron.

Effect on Others

Cameron’s behavior upset and violated Makayla. Different students exposed to single incidents react in various ways, so we don’t know what future support she will need, if any.
Cameron’s behavior is creating an environment where other students don’t want to be around him. Makayla is not the only student staff have heard refer to him as a bully. Other students may have observed the incident and will need support in understanding what they saw is not an appropriate way to handle conflict.

Redirection

Staff have been providing targeted supports (Tier 2 of the Pyramid Model) for several months. They have been trying to build Cameron’s self-esteem by pointing out the good things he does and providing mini rewards for his good behavior, but this has not been very effective. Cameron initiates confrontation and uses threatening language on a frequent basis. Learn more about the Pyramid Model and targeted supports in the Focused Topics course Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors.