What should you do if a student refuses to eat and pushes their tray?

• A. Yell at the student to eat.
• B. Calmly notify the teacher and follow the student plan.
• C. Remove the tray and do nothing.
• D. Force-feed the student.

Answer: (B)

When a student refuses to eat and pushes the tray, the safest and most effective approach is to stay calm, inform the supervising teacher, and follow the student’s plan. This keeps the response predictable and consistent with the supports the student has in place, which helps reduce escalation and builds trust. Yelling, force-feeding, or removing the tray without a plan can increase anxiety and pose safety risks, and they don’t address the underlying needs or the documented supports. The plan may include prompts, offering choices, a brief break, or a planned follow-up, and ensures everyone responds in a coordinated way. If the student shows signs of choking or distress, respond to safety concerns immediately per training while continuing to follow the plan and notify the team.