A Teachers guide to dealing with - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

A Teachers guide to dealing with

Tourettes

S

yndrome in the classroomSlide2

Research Question How can I support a student with Tourettes syndrome in the classroom? HBO video clip on tourettesSlide3

What is Tourettes Syndrome? Tourettes is a childhood- onset developmental neurological disorder that is characterized by numerous motor and vocal tics. This disorder is often present with symptoms of obsessiveness and/or compulsiveness, anxiety, and behavioral impulsivity.

Tourettes can be treated if it causes the child severe social or emotional impairment

and

pain

New tic’s may transpire at any given time and cannot be controlled by the

child

If a child happens to see another child with a tic he or she might start to develop a similar tic Slide4

Special Facts Tourette's is six times more common in males than femalesThe developmental progression of Tourette’s follows a similar course: - first present from the ages of 5-7 - tic’s are most severe from ages 12-13

A tic may be present for several months and then disappear overtimeA small portion of patients will use inappropriate tics such as uttering obscure words or making vulgar gestures Slide5

How to identify a child with Tourettes SyndromeBoth physical and vocal tics have been present at some time during the course of symptomsTics are constantly present throughout the day, almost every day or intermittently throughout a period of more than 1 year, and during this

period there has never been a tic-free period of more than 3 consecutive monthsThese signs and symptoms have occurred before the age of 18 Slide6

How to address Tourettes Syndrome in the ClassroomPrior to discussion communicate with parentsSpeak to the student before you decide to address the topic to see if he/she is comfortable with answering questions or being present in the room talk to the class as a whole about respect and differences Bring in a specialist who can be present during discussion

Create a safe and comforting environment Slide7

Ways to support a student with Tourettes Syndrome Set clear and consistent limits as increased anxiety with enhance symptoms Daily communication with parents, students and support staff is essential Encourage good work and appropriate school behaviorAssign the student a capable peer who will assist him/her

Encourage the student to be physically active in addition to PE as this can help to release symptoms Provide the student with a safe place to go when the tics become severe as this can be physically and mentally exhausting for the student Do not suggest that the student suppress his/her tics as this will divert attention away from learning Slide8

Classroom ModificationsDon’t’ require eye contact from student as this can be over stimulating to the visually defensive student and produces academic and behavioral problems Provide student with instructions prior to telling the classPresent verbal information slowly and concisely Restate directions so that the student is clear on the task

Assign work at appropriate instructional level Provide learning activities so that the student can experience success Break assignments into 10 minute segments Slide9

Assessment StrategiesTest in a low stimuli environment Asses verballyUse a variety of assessment strategiesAllow student to extra time Prepare an alternate test that has a lower volume of questions

Identify if the student should be on an IEPSlide10

Treatment Tourette's syndrome is often present with both ADHD and Obsessive compulsive disorder therefore treatment must include working with parents, patient and other support staff medication- serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI)Decrease anxiety Self monitoring- have the subject record tics in a small notebook Slide11

Impact of Neurological Disorder on Learning Learning TS symptoms disrupts learning process. Energy to suppress tics

can slow down learning . Memory Pieces

of information missing in cognitive file due to TS symptoms interfering with learning by disrupting ability to store information in memory.

Strategies

Understands strategies,

able to use strategies except when TS symptoms interfere with ability to use strategies.

Sequencing

Able to sequence except when TS symptoms cause impulsivity which interferes with the ability to sequence.

Problem Solving

Able to problem solve

except when TS symptoms interfere with the ability to problem solve.

social

Social interaction affect ignorance of others embarrassment from TS symptoms, teasing

, withdrawal. Slide12

Implications for teaching Parental support FundingObjection to medication useFurther questions? What is the likelihood of T

ourettes syndrome affecting children after childhood ?

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Resources http://www.springerlink.com/content/b7n4jkj1h212p077/fulltext.pdfJackson.M.Gerogina. Biology: Tourette's Syndrome. Volume 16, Issue 12. Pg.R443-R444. (June 2006). The University of Nottingham.Dornbush.P.Marilyn.Teaching

the Tiger. (April 1996). Hope press.Leckman.F.James and Cohen.J.Donald

. Tic’s, Obsessions and Compulsions: Tourette's

Syndrome.

(1999).John Wiley and Sons, INC.

Tourettes

syndrome associated conditions and the complexities of treatment: http//

brain.oxfordjournal.org

/content/123/3/425.full.pdf+html

http://

www.bced.gov.bc.ca

/

speacial_ed_policy_manual.pdf#page

=5

Video retrieved from

youtube

:

http://

www.youtube.com

/

watch?v

=HPmpIY7XJVE

Photos retrieved from

google

images without permission