Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
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• Low birth weight • Developmental delay• Epilepsy• Poor coordination / fine
motor skills • Behavioral problems
2 six week old infants
FASNormal child
Mental Retardation
• Mild (55-70 IQ)• Moderate (40-54)• Severe (25-39)• Profound (< 25)
Poor adaptive skillsBefore age 18
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Second Edition, Classroom Update
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales II (VABS – II)
Parent/Caregiver Rating Form, Interview Form - 0 through 90
Teacher Rating Form - 3 through 21 years,11 months
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Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
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1:733 births, and more than 350,000 people in the U.S.
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Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
• Physical Deformitiesflattening of the back of the headslanting of the eyelidsshort stubby limbsthick tonguesheart problemsoverly flexible jointsshorter than normal height
Common Neurological Disabilities• Cerebral palsy – “paralysis of the brain.”disability in muscle control, posture, and movement
Duchenne muscular dystrophy – deterioration of muscles
Epilepsy (seizure disorder)
Partial seizure – electrical charge affects only part of the brain; involuntary twitching of muscles or rapid eye blinks
Generalized 1) tonic-clonic – person stiffens, loses consciousness, falls, and arms and legs contract2) absence (ab-sawnce) seizures – lasts up to 30 seconds; mistaken for daydreaming.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)An amplified recording of the electrical
waves measured by electrodes.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Students with Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder
Chapter 15
Development of the ADHD Field
• 1902 -First description by Dr. George Still• 1920s – Children who survived encephalitis
lethargica often were distractible and impulsive• 1930s – Dr. Charles Bradley used stimulant
medication to control children’s behavior• 1960s – term hyperactive was used• Today – research on the brain’s role in ADHD
Definition of ADHD
A pervasive pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. (American Psychological Association, 2000)
3 Types of ADHD
• Predominately inattentive
• Predominately hyperactive/impulsive
• Combined
Prevalence
3-5% of the population
2-3 times as many boys identified as girls
No difference in frequency among races
Caucasian children more likely to receive medication for ADHD
Causes of ADHD• Physiological causes
– Heredity– Brain differences
• Environmental Causes– Lead poisoning– Maternal prenatal smoking
and alcohol consumption
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Causation
Cognitive Characteristics
• Problems with Executive Functioning– Working memory is not efficient– Self-directed speech not utilized effectively– Difficulty controlling emotions or
motivation– Reconstitution – the ability to break down
what is observed and to combine parts to carry out new actions
Academic Characteristics• Some students are very successful
academically
• Other students consistently achieve below their potential
Social/Emotional Characteristics
• Self-esteem is a problem for some, but not all, students with ADHD
• Students often have problems coping with social functioning– Developing and maintaining friendships– Rejection by peers
Behavior Characteristics• Failure to attend to details
• Make careless mistakes in work
• Failure to complete schoolwork
• Failure to listen when spoken to directly
• Difficulty organizing tasks and materials
• Avoidance of tasks that require sustained mental effort
Comorbidity with Other Disorders
• ADHD may occur simultaneously with other disorders such as:– Learning disabilities– Tourette’s syndrome– Emotional disabilities– Autism– Traumatic brain injury– Psychiatric disorders– Sleep disorders– Substance abuse problems
Initial Referral for Eligibility• Medical Diagnosis
– Pediatrician,psychologist, psychiatrist– Diagnosis may occur before child enters school
• Educational referrals may come from– Child’s classroom teacher– Special education teacher
Assessments May Include:• Medical assessment• Continuous performance tests• DISC IV (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for
Children)• Parent rating scales and checklists – BASC, CBCL• Teacher rating scales and checklists• Samples of student’s work• Anecdotal information
Gifted or ADHD?
Inability to regulate behavior
Question rules and create their own
Problems with Rules
Primary characteristic of ADHD
Good judgment lags behind intellectual development
Impulsivity
Difficulty in most situations
Only in specific situations, e.g., when bored
Poor sustained attention
ADHDGifted StudentsBehavior
Eligibility for IDEA Services• Does the ADHD “adversely affect” the
student’s educational performance?• Not all students with ADHD are eligible -
accommodations under Section 504• Students may be eligible because they also
have a learning or emotional disability
Early Childhood Education• Diagnosis at an early age is
difficult.• If children’s symptoms of
ADHD are severe, early intervention is crucial.
• Children may need a highly structured environment, immediate and consistent feedback, and age-appropriate rewards.
Elementary and Secondary School Services
• Many students receive their education in general education classrooms.
• Professionals must collaborate with parents
Transition and Adulthood• 66% have the disorder into
adulthood
Psychostimulants• Ritalin• Concerta• Focalin• Adderall• Strattera• Cylert
Best Educational Practices• Behavior interventions
– Rewards
– Token economy systems
– Structure
– Quick Pace
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Behavior Modification
Supporting Parents of Children with ADHD
Have realistic expectations of parents
Encourage parents to be good role models
Help parents have realistic expectations
Make related resources available