This past week, I was involved in an RtI meeting (Response to Intervention), brainstorming ideas to help a young fourth grader. The mere mention of C’s name causes an immediate empathetic, “Ohhh”. All of her teachers color their hair due to the persistent manipulative personality of this young lady. C craves adult interaction. She is an attention-seeking addict, controlling her turf. Life outside of school is chaotic, unpredictable, and abrasive.
Focusing on her strengths, C is smart, an excellent reader, and definitely a great vocabulary handler. She’s humorous, tugging smiles and chuckles from those who interact with her. Her teacher is amused by her antics, yet simultaneously annoyed. C uses her skills to get what she wants from others. With her adult-like speech, C articulates like a lawyer. She clarifies and twists the boundaries of what has been asked of her.
I’m intrigued with this young girl, yet dumbfounded. C is queen of the class: “Manipulation 101”. We struggled coming up with interventions to help C succeed within the boundaries of school rules and social graces with her peers. Our hope is that we can make a difference with C. Our diligence will be the evidence.
As the team was reviewing C’s plan, her teacher summarized C’s personality with the following equation:
“Having C in my class is like having a mixture of Lucille Ball plus Junie B. Jones.”
Spring break – where are you?
Posted by MaryHelen 
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