Proactive approach at the first sign
When a student's attitude toward learning diminishes, early detection is important in heading off the student's reactive decisions which may be hap-hazzard under the mounting realization that things are deteriorating.
I definitely think talking with the student to air out the situation will show you care and want to help. A lot of people say they care, but few take the extra step. I believe it takes a real commitment from the facilitator to help save the at risk students.
One of the signs of this that I have learned to look for is a student placing blame on other things, like classmates, the school or the staff, rather than themselves. A good 1 on 1 discussion is usually effective at bringing out the true cause of the learning difficulty.
