Transcript Helping Students Cope with Disruptive Behaviors Anxiety Disorder

Addressing Barriers to
Learning: Helping Students
Cope with Disruptive Behaviors
Anxiety Disorder
Mental Health in the Schools Series
Suzanne Rilling
Mili Lal
Susan Cole
OBJECTIVES
Overview of Anxiety Disorder
 Signs and Symptoms
 Strategies/Interventions
 Classroom Accommodations
 Developing a Plan
 Case Study
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ANXIETY
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A generalized response to people
or events that pose no immediate
threat although to the individual
they seem threatening.
Types of Anxiety Disorders:
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Separation Anxiety
Disorder
Generalized Anxiety
Disorder
Panic Disorder
Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
Phobias (social,
objects, animals)
ANXIETY DISORDERS
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General Information:
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Effects approx. 810% of school aged
children
Most prevalent
psychiatric diagnosis
in those 16 yrs. &
younger
Associated with
negative impact in
multiple domains
High rate of
comorbidity
Diagnostic Criteria
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Symptoms are at an inappropriate
severity level for age and developmental
stage.
Must cause SIGNIFICANT functional
impairment to be considered a disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety:
COGNITIVE
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Fearful
Nervous
Stressed
Self-defeating
Inattentive
Indecisive
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety:
BEHAVIORAL
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Restless
Clingy
Dependent
Shy
Withdrawn
Avoidant
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety:
PHYSICAL
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Increased heart
rate
Shortness of
breath
Skin Irritation
Sweating
Gastro-Intestinal
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Stuttering
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Sleep Disturbance
Muscle tension
ACTIVITY
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WHAT MIGHT ANXIETY LOOK LIKE
IN YOUR CLASSROOM/SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT?
Observable/Measurable Behaviors
of Anxiety in the Classroom
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Clingy
Refusal
Withdrawn
Leaving the room
Frequent visits to
the nurse
Shut down
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Cries easily
Negative self-talk
Nail biting
Hair Twirling
Types of Treatment
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Psychotherapeutic
Treatments
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Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy
Family Therapy
Other Therapies
Medication
Treatments
Other Services
Anxiety and Development
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Childhood
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Middle Childhood
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Fear of animals,
the dark, imaginary
creatures
School
Performance
Adolescence
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Social and
Interpersonal
STRATEGY INFORMATION SHARE
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WHAT WORKS?
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WHAT DOESN’T?
Helpful Accommodations
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Back and Forth
Notebook between
home and school
Extended time for
tests/assignments
Late start to school
day or shortened day
Unlimited access to
bathroom/water
Extra set of books at
home
Tool kit to manage
emotions
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Calculator for math
Break long tasks into
smaller segments
Permission to have
snacks
Alternative/Modified
assignments
Books on tape
Natural Light
Hard copy of notes
Developing A Good Intervention Plan
STEP 1: Establish a team
STEP 2: Get Student Input
STEP 3: Teach Self-Monitoring
Techniques
STEP 4: Design Classroom Exit
Strategy for the student
CASE STUDY
MATTHEW-6th Grade
AVAILABLE SCHOOL-BASED
SUPPORT SERVICES