Complexities of Childhood Onset Brain Disorders in the Classroom
by John Yatko, Ph. D. Galion Ohio City Schools
"We automatically feel empathy for a 6 year old boy in a wheel chair, and offer assistance.
Teachers don’t hesitate to comfort a 14 year old girl with a pattern of crying and feeling rejected by peers.
But a persistently defiant, impulsive, overactive 8 year old child can be very irritating and challenging in a class of 24 kids.
We have the mindset to perceive many children with anger and behavior problems as undisciplined at home, or having weak or dysfunctional families.
There is a need to inservice school staffs, PTO’s, and families in regard to the complexities of childhood onset brain disorders and their co-occurrence with learning disabilities, behavior problems, family stress, abuse and domestic violence; and related substance abuse by students and parents/step-parents/grandparents/caregivers.
But we need to assess and address their issues, family histories, diets, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and progress reports in order to determine if there are undetected brain disorders causing chaos in the family and the classroom.
Principals, teachers and counselors are overwhelmed by the dramatic increase in numbers of children who display disruptive, hyperactive, un-socialized behaviors.
It’s a long and sometimes disjointed process to discover whether the roots of the problem are inadequate parenting, or brain based disorders in supportive families; or social adjustment issues aggravated by transient families with multiple divorces, relationships, separations; or grief issues ... or all of the above.
The symptoms of childhood onset brain disorders may be misperceived, misinterpreted, and mis-communicated by well meaning, but uninformed, professionals. Psychiatric diagnoses and their implications may be misunderstood by parents and educators and treatment may be delayed or be inconsistent.
The schools can address these complex issues through the referral, intervention, and evaluation process established in Ohio schools. The Intervention Assistance Team (IAT), including parents, collects observations and information on a student. An intervention plan is written and reviewed after 2-6 weeks. If improvement is made the plans continue.
If the student’s inappropriate behaviors and adjustment problems persist, a multifactored evaluation including a medical/psychiatric examination may be completed to develop a more structured program with detailed supports in school and at home.
We need to take the extra time required to take family histories and to have parents complete behavioral assessments to be included in multi-factored evaluations.
The teams need to collaborate with parents, pediatricians, psychiatrists and other mental health providers on an ongoing basis to ensure early intervention, consistent treatment, and medical monitoring to improve students’ development, social adjustment, and academic progress."
John Yatko, Ph.D.
School Psychologist
Galion City Schools
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Teachers Links
Advocacy, Education and Support ... NAMI ... the National Organization
Check out their Family to Family Education Program,
Great Fact Sheets and additional links.
Advocacy, Education and Support ... NAMI Ohio ... the State Organization
Check out their family education programs ...
Hand to Hand ... AND ... Family to Family!!!
All Your ?s Answered/Reach Out for Teens
NAMI recommended site.
A dialog for Teens covering the following topics ...
Alcohol and other drugs
Depression and other mental health issues
Eating disorders and feeling healthy
Family issues
Friends and relationships
Illness and staying healthy
Loss and grief
Managing independence
Positive stuff
Safety and violence
School and uni
Sex and pregnancy
Sexuality and coming out
Amazing ... Fun, safe sites for Kids
Syndicated newspaper columnist, Barbara Feldman's, "Surfing the Net" Site created just for kids and their parents ...
Anxiety Disorders in Children
Listing of various forms of Anxiety Disorders. What parents can do to help their child.
Asperger Syndrome
Parent to Parent site for families experiencing Asperger Syndrome in a loved family member ...
Autism and/or Behavioral Problems Innovative Techniques
Using a color coded system, Pupils are shown stick figures
on Green cards that reinforce positive behaviors; on red cards to discourage inappropriate behaviors. A simple effective program!!!
Bipolar Depression in Teens
This site categorically lists the symptoms of Bipolar Depression in our Young Adults. Additional links are found at this site ...
Bipolar Child
A definitive and reassuring guide to childhood's most misunderstood disorder. Great newsletters and links!
BiPolar Child Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A model IEP ... one that specifically addresses the seasonal variation in mood, energy, attention, motivation and behaviour.
Childhood Depression
This site identifies the symptoms of this childhood onset brain disorder.
Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
Education of the general public and professional community in regard to
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ...
Childhood Schizophrenia
This disorder is rare in children. However, this site describes the symptoms and early warning signs of childhood onset Schizophrenia.
Childhood/Adolescent Depression ... Use of Medication in Treatment
This newly launched web site includes a fact sheet for families titled
"The Use of Medication in Treating Childhood and Adolescent Depression:
Information for Patients and Families." The fact sheet includes practical
advice for families.
The ParentsMedGuide.org web site also includes a guide for physicians on treating depression in children and adolescents, offering information on treatment alternatives and the latest science and research findings.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Science-based, evidence-based information about AD/HD for parents, educators, the media and the general public.
Depression in Teens
Help in identifying & treating teen depression.
Depression/Columbia University TeenScreen Program
The Columbia University TeenScreen Program is an adolescent mental health and suicide-screening initiative active in 40 states. By helping communities establish programs in schools, doctors’ offices, juvenile justice facilities and other youth organizations, and collaborating with legislators, administrators, and advocates to promote mental health screenings throughout the country, we hope to offer a mental health check-up to every teenager in America.
Depression/Teen Depression & Suicide
Understanding teen depression and its role in teen suicide.
Education/Beyond High School ... Transitioning to College
Comparison of High School classroom expectations with College classroom expectations.
Education/Book ... My Uncle Keith Died
Carol Loehr's book, My Uncle Keith Died, is for families impacted by suicide. The book helps to meet a need that we believe exists for families with children. The book explains how depression can hurt people and how even young people can find help for friends that may be depressed.
Education/Eating Disorders Resource Catalogue
Articles on Recovery ...
Basic Facts about
Eating Disorders ...
Newsletters ...
Self-Help Books ...
Professional Texts ...
Educational Videos ...
Internet Resources ...
National Organizations ...
Treatment Facilities ...
Education/Focus on Learning
If your child is having difficulty in school, she/he may learn differently from other kids. If you aren't sure what to do ... start here!!!
Education/Helping Kids with Learning Differences
A Parent's guide to helping Kids with learning differences ...
Education/Planning For The Future
The single most important concern in the mind of any parent who has a child with a disability, regardless of the age of the child, is what will happen to the child after the parent has died. Planning For The Future, discusses in an easy to understand way all the steps that parents should take to assure a secure life for their son or daughter.
Laws ... Ohio Legal Rights Services
The mission of the OLRS is to protect and guarantee the human, civil and legal rights of Ohio's citizens with disabilities. The young, the old and all in between. Check it out!!!
Legal Rights of College Students with Learning Disabilities
Attorney Paul Grossman discusses legal rights of College Students with Learning Disabilities ...
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