Transcript to view my slideshow presentation on common behavior disorders.

A Look at Common
Behavior Disorders
By: Lauren Barth
Why Is It
Important?
• Behavior disorders affect OUR classrooms and OUR
students!
• In order to know how to help these students, we must
understand the problem.
• Often we are one of the first sources to recognize
potential symptomatic behaviors.
• We are required by law (IDEA) to give “a free and
appropriate education” to all students, including those
with behavior disorders.
What Is a
Behavior
Disorder (BD)?
According to the University of Virginia
Health System:
“Behavior disorders include mental health problems
with a focus on behaviors that both identify
emotional problems and create interpersonal and
social problems for children and adolescents in the
course of their development.”
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult
_mentalhealth/bdhub.cfm
A Few Important Clarifications:
1. Behavior disorders are not a learning
disability. They are a mental health problem!
2. Behavior disorders are more than annoying,
disruptive behavior.
3. Behavior disorders can lead to academic,
social, and emotional problems for the child.
While behavior disorders are commonly
associated with learning disabilities, they are
foundationally different.
A learning disability is a diagnosed problem with
learning. There is some type of processing,
memory, or another neurological problem.
A behavior disorder is a mental health problem that
is purely behavioral in nature, which can lead to
academic problems.
Statistics
• “Based on data from 2000-2001 (United States Department of
Education, 2002), in the past 10 years, there has been an
increase of about 28% in the number of students with
disabilities served through IDEA. The category of emotional
disturbances represents 8.2% of all students served (emphasis
mine) (Bullock & Gable, 2006).”
• “Although some degree of antisocial behavior is normal, it is
estimated that 2-6% of U.S. children and youth demonstrate a
pattern of antisocial behavior (emphasis mine) serious
enough to warrant such a diagnosis (Kazdin, 1995) (Lannie &
McCurdy, 2007).”
• “ADHD does affect a considerable number of people approximately 7 to 8 percent of school-aged children
(emphasis mine) (over 4 million children) and 4 to 5 percent of
adults (over 8 million adults) (Lavoie, 2008).”
Common Behavior Disorders
include:
1. ADHD
2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
3. Conduct Disorder
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Characteristics:
•
•
•
•
•
Short attention span
Lack of focus
Unable to stay on task
Constantly active
Impulsive
Suggested Strategies for ADHD:
• Teach to multiple learning styles
• Utilize peer tutoring to achieve more
immediate feedback
• Teach self-regulation and self-motivation
strategies with a focus on self-control
• Use positive reinforcement
(Nowacek & Mamlin, 2007)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
(ODD)
Characteristics:
• Aggression
• Defiance
• Vindictive Behavior
• Usually appears by 8 years old
(Practice Parameter, 2007)
* The earlier that ODD symptoms appear, the greater
the likelihood of the development of CD.
Suggested Strategies for ODD:
• Specific instruction in social skills, anger
management, or conflict resolution
• Work with the parents, the school-home
connection is vital
• Medication can be a helpful piece of the
solution, but is not a solution in itself
Conduct Disorder (CD)
Characteristics:
• Destruction
• Aggression
• Severe anti-social behavior in four major areas:
Aggressive Behavior
Non-Aggressive Behavior
Deceitful Behavior
Rule Violations
(Lannie & McCurdy, 2007)
• Tends to be related to early diagnosis of ADHD or
ODD
Suggested Strategies for CD:
• Be proactive, instead of reactive with
management and discipline
• Teach conflict resolution and problem solving
skills
• Academic support may be needed as a result
of poor skills from inappropriate behavior
• Often psychological treatment or medication
is necessary
What Can We
Do?
Strategies In The Classroom:
Observe the child to find the situations that
precipitate the inappropriate behavior.
Be consistent with behavior guidelines.
Use positive reinforcement and behavior
modification plans.
Enlist help from guidance counselors, social
workers, or administration for support.
Conclusion
While many of these behavior disorders appear in less
than 10% of children, it is likely that you will have at
least one in your career.
You cannot diagnose these conditions, but it is your
responsibility to be looking for the symptoms. You might
be the first one to realize a problem.
If you find symptoms, work with the parents during the
treatment process as many of the symptoms carry over
between home and school. Encourage the parents to seek
psychological treatment for their child.
Where Can I
Find More
Information?
Website Resources
About.com:Special Education
http://specialed.about.com
This is a great website to find special education resources with a specific section
about behavior disorders. There are also resources, such as checklists and
behavior contracts to help parents and teachers.
University of Virginia Health System
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_mentalhealth/bdhub.cfm
This site has several educational articles about BD, ADHD, ODD and CD. It offers
information about the disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
LD Online
http://www.ldonline.org/adhdbasics
While this site is primarily focused on learning disabilities, there is considerable
information about ADHD and the connection with LD.
Print Resources
BD:
Duppong-Hurley, K., Epstein, M. H., Nelson, J. R., Stage, S., & Synhorst, L. (2007). Risk
Factors Predictive of the Problem Behavior of Children At Risk for Emotional and
Behavioral Disorders. Exceptional Children, 73(3), 367-379.
Bullock, L. M., Gable, R. A. (2006). Programs for Children and Adolescents With
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in the United States: A Historical Overview,
Current Perspectives, and Future Direction. Preventing School Failure, 50(2), 7-13.
ADHD:
Lavoie, T. (2008). Introduction and Overview to ADHD. Exceptional Parent, 38(3), 7475.
Nowacek, E. J., & Mamlin, N. (2007). General Education Teachers and Students With
ADHD: What Modifications Are Made?. Preventing School Failure, 51(3), 28-35.
Print Resources
ODD:
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and
Adolescents with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (2007). Journal of the
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(1), 126141.
CD:
Lannie, A. L., McCurdy, B. L. (2007). The Challenge of Conduct Disorder.
Principal Leadership (Middle School Edition), 7(7), 11-15.
Relevant Books
Curtis, S. E. (2008). Understanding your child's puzzling
behavior: a guide for parents of children with behavioral,
social, and learning challenges. Bainbridge Island, WA :
Lifespan Press.
Connelly, E. R. (1999). Conduct unbecoming: hyperactivity,
attention deficit, and disruptive behavior disorders.
Philadelphia, PA : Chelsea House Publishers.
Reimers, C. L. (2006). ADHD in the young child: [a guide for
parents and teachers of young children with ADHD].
Plantation, Fla. : Specialty Press.
National Organizations
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
856-439-9099
http://www.add.org
Council for Children with Behavior Disorders
PO Box 24246
Stanley, KS 66283
913-239-0550
http://www.ccbd.net
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)
8181 Professional Place - Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
301-306-7070
http://www.chadd.org