User:CommonBehaviouralDisorders

Overview
This wiki was intended for teachers or parents wanting to research common behavioural disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD). It is important that teachers and parents learn about these common behavioural disorders in order to recognise symptoms and diagnose children with behavioural difficulities so as to provide them with the most beneficial education possible.

Behavioural disorders
Behavioural disorders are becoming more prevalent in today’s society and today’s classrooms. It is one of teachers’ many responsibilities to keep up to date with new theories and information to ensure that each of their students is given the same opportunities regardless of their behavioural and intellectual ability.

Studies conducted by indicated that students with emotional and behavioural problems are just as challenging in a regular classroom as any disability. In Australia 2.1 boys to every 1 girl is diagnosed with a behavioural disorder

The most common behavioural disorders in children include Autism Spectrum Disorders; Rett’s disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and Childhood disintegrative disorder, as well as ADD/ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). To ensure that children diagnosed with these behavioural disorders are given the same educational opportunities as their peers teachers are responsible for researching these issues.

Autism Spectrum Disorder
According to statistics released as late as May 2010; autism affects 1 in 160 children in Australia. Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder which is characterised by impaired communication skills, socialising difficulties and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour.

Common symptoms can be identified in very young children and include self-destructive behaviour such as biting or head-banging, as well as repetitive patterns such as rocking or spinning. Although autistic children will develop intellectually and physically at an average rate, it is common to find a lack in communication skills. Generally speaking children with autism cannot read facial expressions or tone of voice and will therefore show more interest in themselves than a person they are speaking with. It is also common to find children with autism referring to themselves in the third person (their name) rather than “I” or “me”,

It has been found that children with ASD have an increased chance of developing Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, learning difficulties and attention deficit disorder. These behavioural characteristics will affect learning and classroom behaviour and are therefore very relevant to teachers of all ages and genders. Autism is diagnosed using an autism diagnostic observation schedule or ADOS. This method uses observations and conversations 30-45 minutes long over 4 sessions to assess the severity of communication and behavioural skills,

More information can be found using the following links.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is common in children and teens, but can also be shown in adults as well. Common symptoms include hyperactivity and impulsivity which all children display at one point or another, however children with ADD will display these symptoms inappropriately.

There are three different types of ADHD, these include;
 * 1) Combined ADHD - showing all symptoms.
 * 2) Inattentive ADHD - impaired attention and concentration (previously known as ADD)
 * 3) Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD - hyperactivity without inattentiveness.

For a list of common behaviours refer to the links below.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

 * Classroom ideas for teachers - Asperger’s Syndrome

http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i1i1i2l336l149/information-sheets.htm


 * What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?

http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/images/file/Brochures%20and%20Information%20Sheets/What%20are%20ASD_LR%20sep%20pages.pdf

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm


 * Visual representation of ASD:

http://www.psychiatrytalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder.jpg


 * Rett’s disorder:

http://childparenting.about.com/library/glossary/blfactrett.htm


 * Autism Spectrum Disorder:

http://www.jhsph.edu/CADDE/Facts/autism.html


 * Childhood disintegrative disorder:

http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/childhood_disintegrative_disorder.htm


 * ADOS:

http://childpsychologist.com.au/service/assessments/ados

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

 * ADHD:

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions/adhd.html


 * Classroom tips for ADHD children:

http://add.about.com/od/childrenandteens/a/adhd-classroom.htm


 * Symptoms for ADHD:

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/ast_oneadhd-children


 * Diagnosis for ADHD:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_diagnosis.htm


 * Incentive behaviour sheets

http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/behaviorcontrac.htm

Why should we learn more?
To ensure that our children are given equal opportunities in education and life after school, it is important to learn about their difficulties. The more we know about behavioural disorders the easier it will be to ensure that these children are not misunderstood as difficult and naughty, but are seen as capable human beings who have the right to equal opportunities and chances of success.

The future depends on what we do in the present - Mahatma Gandhi