Course Summary:

For the most part, children with neurological disorders will appear no different than any other child in your class. In terms of behavior, however, they will present challenges that will go above and beyond what a neurotypical (i.e., without neurological disorders) child might present. Because of that, you will need to develop a comprehensive plan that takes their differences into account.

This course contains 3 parts: an introduction and two modules focused on specific issues within the plan. In the first module, the focus is on how to detect the warning signs of an emotional meltdown which will help you to establish a basic framework of understanding that you can use to assist you as you prepare your individual classroom plan (ICP). In the second module, the focus shifts on how to actually handle a situation when a meltdown, rage or tantrum occurs. Additionally, the second module will provide information regarding peer relations and social skills; dealing with lying, stealing and swearing; daily routines and self-esteem building

Time: approximately 60 minutes

Learning Objectives, Module 1:

• Understand why children with neurological disorders experience emotional meltdowns
• Recognize the signs that an emotional meltdown is impending
• Define "sparks" and "triggers"

Learning Objectives, Module 2:

• Identify the various stages of a "meltdown"
• Recognize why children with neurological disorders might lie, swear or steal
• Understand why a routine is important to children with neurological disorders

Key Topics Include:

Module 1

• A Framework for Understanding
• Coping with Stress
• Consistently Inconsistent
• Teachers and Parents United
• Is it Just Behavior or is it the Disorder?
• The Downward Emotional Spiral
• Teacher Characteristics That Lead to Success
• Consistent Teaching Practices
• A Positive and Proactive Teaching Style
• Creating Structured, Yet Flexible Routines
• Communication Styles
• Communication Styles – Word Retrieval and Thought Processing

Module 2

• Tantrums, Rages and Meltdowns
• What Not to Do
• Maintaining Emotional Control
• Negotiating and Compromising
• Use of a Home Base or Safe Place
• The Rage Stage
• The Recovery Stage
• The All Clear Stage
• Public Rages
• Discipline
• Stuck Thinking and Obsessions
• Obsession and Compulsion
• Coping with Fear
• Peer Relations and Social Skills
• Dealing with Tics
• Dealing with Teasing

Course Summary:

Teaching is both a challenging and rewarding profession. Dedicated teachers, as well as paraprofessionals, counselors and administrators, can truly make a difference in the lives of students. On a daily basis, however, educators face many challenges, and none is more daunting than working with children who have neurological disorders. Fortunately, today there is much more information available on how to help children with these conditions. Yet even with this information, we still don't know for certain what causes the behavior of kids with neurological disorders.

In this course the learner will gain understanding regarding the different types of neurological disorders that impact children. The course will also address the symptoms typical of these conditions, how they impact the child's behavior in the classroom and finally how educators can intervene to make it easier for children to cope and therefore learn with minimal disruption to the classroom.

Time: approximately 30 minutes

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how neurological disorders impact a child's life at school and the impact they can have on the classroom
• Recognize some of the characteristics of Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Identify the "triggers" and "sparks" that can precede an emotional meltdown

Key Topics Include:

• Success Begins with Understanding
• The Known and the Unknown
• Making Distinctions
• Tourette Syndrome
• TS and the Classroom
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Types of Obsessions
• OCD and the Classroom
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Categories Within ADHD
• Determining a Diagnosis of ADHD
• ADHD and the Classroom
• When Disorders Cross Over

Course Summary:

Asperger Syndrome is considered the mildest and highest functioning form of a variety of neurological disorders that make up what is known as the autism spectrum. What can make working with children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) both fascinating, and yet often frustrating as well is their apparent normalcy. While children with more severe forms of autism will exhibit symptoms that are much easier for the untrained eye to discern, a child with AS will initially appear to be no different than any other student, perhaps just a bit "quirky". In the case of children with Asperger Syndrome, however, appearances can be deceiving.

In this course, the learner will gain understanding regarding behaviors that are typical of children with AS, but even more importantly, the "why" behind those behaviors. Once teachers and staff have an understanding of the "why", working with a child with AS may still be challenging, but it won't be a mystery.

Time: Approximately 30 minutes

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the behaviors that children with Asperger Syndrome may exhibit
• Identify the triggers that lead to emotional meltdowns for children with Asperger Syndrome
• Recognize methods for dealing with triggers

Key Topics Include:

• Empathy and Acceptance
• Intelligence is Not the Issue
• Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome
• Poor Social Interactions
• Narrow Focus
• Unusual Sensitivities
• Lack of Flexibility and Spontaneity
• Stress and the Student with AS
• Filtering Inhibitions
• Awareness of "Triggers"
• Riding out the Behavioral Roller Coaster
• A Neurological Model