Are you looking for ways to stop students from running away from school experiences? If so, keep reading.

1. Converse with the learner about ways of handling situations successfully without conflict (e.g., walk away from a situation, change to another learning experience, ask for help, etc.).

2. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, or (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

3. Connect with the parents(e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for dealing with problems in appropriate ways at schoo1.

4. Urge the learner to use problem-solving skills: (a) find the problem, (b) find goals and objectives, (c) create strategies, (d) create a plan for action, and (e) carry out the plan.

5. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., asking for help) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

6. Praise the learner for dealing with problems in appropriate ways based on the duration of time the learner can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

7. Praise those students in the classroom who deal with problems in appropriate ways.

8. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

9. Let the learner voice their opinion in a situation to avoid becoming angry or upset.

10. Talk with the learner to explain(a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., running away from situations, running out of the room, running away from school, etc.) and (b) what the learner should be doing (e.g., asking for help, calling attention to the problem, practicing problem-solving skills, using self-control, etc.).

11. Praise the learner for dealing with problems in appropriate ways: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

12. Notify others (e.g., teachers, aides, lunchroom clerks, etc.) of the learner’s tendency to run away to avoid problems.

13. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

14. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.