Addressing Barriers to Learning: Helping Students Cope with Disruptive Behaviors

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Addressing Barriers to Learning Helping
Students Cope with Disruptive Behaviors

• Bipolar Disorder
• Mental Health in the Schools Series
• Suzanne Rilling
• Mili Lal
• Susan Cole

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OBJECTIVES

• Overview of Bipolar Disorder
• Signs and Symptoms
• Strategies/Interventions
• Classroom Accommodations
• Developing a Plan
• Case Study

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Childhood Bipolar Disorder

• General Information

• Previously called manic depression
• Alternate between poles of excessive energy
  and hopelessness
• 1 of population
• Usually diagnosed late adolescence or early
  adulthood
• Recognized in children since 1995

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Diagnostic Criteria

• Symptoms are at an inappropriate severity level
  for age and developmental stage.
• Must cause SIGNIFICANT functional impairment to
  be considered a disorder.

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Essential Clinical Features

• Marked by EXTREME changes in mood, thought, and
  behavior
• Disturbance must be severe enough to cause
  impairment in school/family/peer functioning or
  need hospitalization.

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Etiology of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

• Genetic
• Chemical Imbalance
• Life stressors exacerbate illness

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Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

• Poor behavior regulation
• Irritability
• Labile
• Distractibility
• Switches topics rapidly
• Sensation Seeking
• Racing thoughts
• Inflated Self-Esteem

• Indecisive
• Change in eating habits
• Sleep disturbance
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

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Symptoms Continued..

• Other possible symptoms
• Paranoia
• Misinterpretation of social cues
• Beliefs of special powers

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ACTIVITY

• WHAT MIGHT CHILDHOOD BIPOLAR DISORDER LOOK LIKE
  IN YOUR CLASSROOM/SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT?

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Observable/Measurable Behaviors of Bipolar
Disorder in the Classroom

• Off task/Inability to focus
• Sleeping/Head on desk
• Rages
• Crying
• Poor Initiation
• Flat affect

• Frequent school absences
• Poor grades
• Physical complaints

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Types of Treatment

• Psychotherapeutic Treatments
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Other Therapies
• Medication Treatments
• Other Services

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STRATEGY INFORMATION SHARE

• WHAT WORKS?

• WHAT DOESNT?

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Helpful Accommodations

• 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

• 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

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Developing A Good Intervention Plan

• STEP I Establish a team
• STEP 2 Get Student Input
• STEP 3 Teach Self-Monitoring Techniques
• STEP 4 Design Classroom Exit Strategy for the
  student

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CASE STUDY

• JESSICA- 9TH GRADE

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AVAILABLE SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES