Work Refusal Flowchart & Staff Scripts | Special Education Behavior

Work Refusal Flowchart + Staff Script Cards

When a student refuses work, most of us talk too much, too loud, and too soon; this work refusal flowchart and set of staff script cards gives every adult the same plan and the same words for each stage.

What's Inside

• What's Under the No: ten common reasons students refuse

• A one-page refusal flowchart from before the no through re-entry

• Five stage pages with what to do, thirty say-this-not-that swaps, and notes for PE, job sites, and the community

• Sixteen staff script cards to cut and clip to a lanyard

• A fill-in flow for one student, plus an after-refusal debrief page

Who It's For

Paras, subs, new staff, resource rooms, life skills and transition classes, adapted PE, community job sites, and teams preparing for an FBA or BIP conversation.

Grades & Format

Middle School, High School, and Adult Education (including 18–21 programs). Single PDF, 15 pages, US Letter. Does not cover restraint or seclusion. Follow the student's IEP or BIP and your district policy.

How to Use It

Print the flowchart for the clipboard and cut the script cards for lanyards. Walk the team through one stage at a staff meeting, then use the fill-in flow for one student.

More ways to use it: Use this work refusal flowchart as the common plan for a classroom, a resource room, or a whole special education department. The staff script cards give paras, subs, and new teachers simple de-escalation words for each stage, which helps behavior management feel calmer and more consistent. The say-this-not-that swaps make a quick staff meeting or para training activity. Life skills classrooms, transition programs, adapted PE, and community job sites can use the setting notes so the plan travels with the student. The fill-in flow maps the plan for one student, which is useful to bring to an FBA or BIP conversation. It fits classroom management goals in high school special education and 18-21 programs. Pair it with the ABC data sheets in my shop. https://teachsimple.com/contributor/transitioncliff