Theres a Boy in the Girls Bathroom free essay sample

He picks fights with the girls and the teachers say that he has serious behavior problems. No one ever dared to sit beside him, nor get near to his seat. Everyone was scared of him because of his very weird attitude. Then, Jeff Fishkin entered. He was a transferee from the capital of United States of America, the Washington D. C. he didn’t mind sitting beside Bradley. Maybe, he just doesn’t know who this big boy is, so he tried to be friends with Bradley. But it didn’t quite happened though. Chalkers don’t like having a friend. His only friends are his toys. After going to school, he always goes straight to this room to play with his little animal toy creatures. He has this brass lion that he found in the garbage can, an ivory donkey from Mexico, two owls that were once used as salt and pepper shakers, a glass unicorn with a broken horn and many others. We will write a custom essay sample on Theres a Boy in the Girls Bathroom or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was his collection. He enjoyed playing with them and he relieves his school stress through playing with these animals. He was a big liar. He always tells lies to be safe from the scolding of his parents. His mother just doesn’t know what to do with his son. Bradley lied that he’s a very good student in their class, he receives many gold stars from his teachers and got some high grades from their exams. One day, Bradley’s mother was called by the teacher of Bradley, Mrs. Ebbel. The teacher said everything about Bradley’s behavior problem. Mrs. Ebbel suggested also that Bradley should have to see the guidance once a week. Mrs. Chalkers agreed and also promised to do her best to help the guidance counselor. Since he was a transferee, Jeff was also asked to meet the guidance counselor once a week for some counseling of being a new student. On his way to the guidance office for the first time, he was lost. He was so scared because the building was very big. Jeff decided to ask a teacher walking in the aisle. The teacher gave some directions, but he didn’t understand though. Thought that he was on the right room, he suddenly opened the door and was shocked to see that it was the girl’s comfort room. The girl inside the comfort screamed in shock, as so he was so he went fast to the other room, the guidance counselor. There she met the new guidance counselor, MS. Carla Davis. They chatted and Jeff loves it. He also confessed about what happened on his way to the office. They even talked about Bradley Chalkers and Jeff told everything about that boy. But, Ms. Davis, instead of being scared to the words said against Bradley, she became more interested to him. When they first met, she already knew that Bradley has some unique characteristics that are hidden, he was something special, it’s just that Bradley didn’t believe in his abilities and also scared of trying. He always says that as long as Bradley Chalkers was his name, he’ll never get a gold star. Bradley don’t want Jeff to have other friend instead of him so he was very angry everytime Jeff says â€Å"Hi! † to the girls. He wants to punch them. Coleen Verigold, she was the girl inside the girl’s bathroom when Jeff accidentally entered. She consulted the guidance counselor to ask for help on her birthday, who to invite. Ms. Davis, knew that Coleen had a crush on Jeff. Bradley Chalkers wanted to punch the girls because he was envious of Jeff. Jeff had so many friends in that short time while he hadn’t any. One time, they waited until the classes ended and asked for a fight. However, Bradley lost to the girls and went back home crying. Few weeks had passed and Jeff Fishkin found his new friends and decided not to go to Ms. Davis anymore since he had new friends already. But Bradley Chalkers started to like the new guidance counselor. Because of Ms. Davis, he made his first homework in his entire school life. He was very inspired that even his sister and his parents were all shocked. However, when he was about to pass the homework, he lost his nerves and decided to tore it into two. Miss Davis, instead of being mad at him, she was very proud of what he did and said that next time, he doesn’t have to tear it. Mrs. Ebbel asked for a book review on the class. Bradley was very worried because he had no book and the librarian didn’t allow him to borrow a book. The librarian was very mad at Bradley because he never returns books and even tearing it. Ms. Davis saw his determination and his willingness to do a book review so she decided to lend a book to Bradley. It was entitled, â€Å"My Parents Didn’t Steal an Elephant†. Since Bradley knew that it came from Ms. Davis, he always takes care of this book. From an outcast student, Bradley evolves. He started to communicate with his classmates and one time, he was even asked to join the group of Jeff to play basketball. His first attempt to shoot was a success. That’s the time when he got some new friends. But something just went wrong. At a parent’s meeting, Ms. Davis was assigned to leave the school in exchange of a computer. It was decided by all the parents including the parents of Coleen, who knew that their daughter was meeting the guidance counselor without the permission from them. She was very sad but she has to say it to Bradley early. When Bradley knew about this, he became so mad at Ms. Davis. He even tore the book that he once treasured. He was crying all the time because he was secretly alling in love with the guidance counselor. Ms. Davis was sad also, but she has to obey the office. She even asked Bradley to help her move all her things to the new school she will be assigned. But Bradley didn’t answer. Coleen only invited two boys on his party and some of the girls didn’t know about it. Bradley and Jeff were the two boys that were invited. Saturday morning , before the party, he will be having a haircut first. It was his first haircut on an actual barber shop because her mother was the one who cuts his hair since he was a child. After the haircut, he remembered Ms. Davis. He felt bad that he will not be seeing Ms. Davis anymore so for the last time, he wants to see her. Unfortunately, he was too late. Ms. Davis already left the school and only saw a letter and the book Bradley tore. He read it and became so very happy. It was his first time to attend a birthday party for a long time. Jeff asked him to do what Jeff will do. Bradley, at first, was clueless of what is happening but later he started to enjoy the party. They played games and had fun for the whole time. He even got the highest point and was asked to choose the prize and he chose a harmonica. ODD is a psychiatric disorder affecting behavior. Three characteristic of the child who has this disorder are aggression, defiance and the constant need to irritate others. These characteristics affect the behavior of the child in school or with other person. It will be a negative impact on their social and academic functioning. It was Bradley Chalkers’ behavioral problem as I have observed in the description of the main character and the flow of the story. Let’s discuss the characteristics and their connection to Bradley’s story. The child often loses his temper. Bradley’s one characteristic that made his classmates scared at him. â€Å"Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you†, that was what he said to Jeff Fishkin when he was very annoyed. The child is defiant and doesn’t obey rules and routines. That’s why he was the oldest pupil in their section. He never did an assignment. He always wanted to sit at the last row. He never listened to the teacher and always scribbling his pen, taping the tip of it in the desk. The child argues often with adult and peers. It was very visible on Bradley. He always says that â€Å"Go call them†, â€Å"Go and ask them† and many more just to escape from yells. He tells lies about everything. He once said that he will be going to the zoo with her mother, which isn’t true, he also said that he always peek at the girls’ bathroom but the truth is he never entered nor peeked at that place. The child seems to go out of his/her way to annoy others in a very bothersome way. The girls don’t like Bradley. He’s very annoying. Mrs. Ebbel doesn’t like him because he never listened to her lessons or do homework. Jeff doesn’t like him because he felt that Bradley isn’t a true friend. The school librarian also hates him because he never returned the books he borrowed. The child is often lacking accountability and blames others for inappropriate behaviors. He hated his name; as long as Bradley Chalkers is his name, he’ll never get a gold star, was the words in his mind. He blamed his name but he just don’t know that he can do it, it’s just that he’s not trying. The child often seems angry, spiteful and vindictive. A monster, that is his name on school. No one wants to sit beside him. Coleen at first didn’t want to include Bradley in the birthday party. Just like the first characteristic, he always loses his temper that result in anger. It’s maybe because he’s clueless of the environment. It is quite the same with ADD or ADHD. The only difference in them is that people with ODD still have the ability to sit still and be silent in a corner. According to a psychiatrist, there is no specific cause of this disorder; however, they believe that it may be genetic combination, nurture or the environment he is surrounded or medical problems. In the case of Bradley Chalkers, I think it was the environment. Her parents and her only sister were normal and there is no indication of some major accidents that maybe the cause of the interference in his behavior. It’s just that he became an exile in his own environment. He is somewhat called as a loner, he don’t want any person sitting beside him or playing with him and even talk and yell with him. It’s also because he can’t have the time and the chance to communicate or socialize with other people because he don’t know what he’ll say and what he’ll do. He often annoys everyone when he is doing something. Example is the first birthday party he attended where he sat on the birthday cake. Since then, he doesn’t have the chance to go to another birthday party because he is now thinking what will happen if he goes there. Miss Carla Davis is a very good guidance counselor. I remember when she said these: â€Å"I listened to their problems, but I never tell them what to do. I try to help them to learn to think for themselves. I believe it’s more important to teach them how to think instead of what to think. If they did something bad, I don’t tell them it was wrong. It’s much better if they figure that out for themselves. † It was very good, that’s why Miss Davis became effective on the side of Bradley Chalkers. There are some best practices in the treatment of ODD. Develop consistent behavior expectations. He always allows Bradley to do whatever he wants. When he don’t want a certain topic to discuss, she never insisted it. When he tore his assignment, she became happy instead of being mad at Bradley. Communicate with parents so that the strategies are consistent at home and school. The parent’s consent is the most important thing when observing a child with this kind of disorder. In the story, Mrs. Chalkers was informed by the adviser as well as the guidance counselor so that they can help in the therapy not only in the school but also inside the house. Apply established consequences, immediately, fairly and consistently. Although this is not so obvious in the story, it was applied by Miss Davis through these words, â€Å"I never said to them what to do, because I want the students to learn what consequences are†. Establish a quiet cool off area. That’s why Miss Davis or any other school has their own guidance office and often isolated because of this. Distractions may affect the therapy. Teach self talk to relieve stress and anxiety. In this story, it was already used by Bradley. He lightens up his mood by talking to his toys and making scenes starring the animals. It is very effective because it can help to relax Bradley. Give praises for appropriate behavior and always provide a timely feedback. The praises of Ms. Davis to Bradley gave encouragement to the child that helped him to do the good thing and avoid the bad ones. Avoid confrontation and power struggles. A guidance counselor won’t allow his student to be mad everytime. You have to have the staying power to children with this kind of disorder since they were short-tempered and easily get mad. Patience is the best key for the therapy on the persons with this kind of behavior problem. Don’t always yell at them because it can affect their behavior to become worse, instead, give them understanding. Let them do what they want to do, but you have to explain their limitations, and the consequences that they may attain if they did something wrong. It is not only the job of the therapists but also the duty of the parents. The parents should help their child by giving them enough care, love and understanding inside their homes. With this joint help of the therapists and the parents, your child can be the next Bradley Chalkers, who was able to help himself to change his attitude and become a productive student and son of his teachers and his parents.