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

© 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights

reserved. Santrock, Educational Psychology,

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