amalia s - pws_education

8/8/2019 Amalia s - PWS_education

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UNDERSTANDING AND

MANAGING EDUCATIONALISSUES IN PWS

Amalia Raluca Sabu

Psychologist, RPWA



Content

Educational issues (legislation,

educational alternatives, strenghts and needs of the child with PWS)

Pragmatic suggestions and strategiesto help educators/teachers



The role of education«

To develop skills necessary for

integration into community, to

maximize child¶s functioning,independence and happiness



Education Legislation Article 15. - (1) Persons with disabilities have

free and equal access to any form of education,

regardless of age and according to the type,

degree of disability and their educational needs.

(Law nr.448 / 2006)



Education Legislation

Identification

Evaluation of the child by an

inter diciplinary team ± standar dized

intelligence tests

Diagnosis

Design of an Individualized EducationPlan (IEP)

EDUCATION and related services



Educational alternatives

a) educational centers for inclusive education;b) integration of the individual in mass education units,

including units in the languages of national minorities;

c) special groups or classes integrated in regular

(pre)school units;

d) educational services through itinerant / support

teachers;

e) home schooling until high school graduation, but no

later than age 26 years;

f) education during hospitalization;

g) educational alternatives.

Law 448/2006



Educational alternatives

Regular school with support teacher

(school counselor, speech therapist)

Special education school (speech

therapy, physical therapy,

psychological intervention)

Day care centers (NGO¶s, public

institutions)



Decision making

Parents decide!

based on

The needs of the child

The support (services) that school system is

able to provide in regular and specializedsettings



Attention deficit

Rigid thought process

Perseveration/

obsessivethinking

Compulsive tendenciesWeak short

term memory

Expressive language

Lack of socialinteractions

Poor impulsecontrol

Poor fine and

gross motor

skills

Childwith PWS



Strenghts

Long-term memory for information (events,names)

Receptive language

Multi-sensory learners (Visual learners)

Hands-on experience

Reading skills

Social and friendly

Education should capitalize

on strenghts!



Infancy

Rapid development andlearning

Poor gross and fine motor

skills

Limited expressive skills(difficulties in developmentalassessment,

underestimation of cognitiveabilities)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Early intervention is

necessary

Focus on physicalstimulation,communication andsocialization

Compensate for limitations (physicaland occupationaltherapists)



Preschool

3 years ± the child is

eligible for

comprehensive school

programs

Delayed motor skills

Delayed speech abilities

Difficulties adapting to

change ± resistance to

physical activities,

frustration, tantrums

RECOMMENDATIONS:

positive behavioral

strategies, speech

therapy, physical therapy,a predictable environment

Pre-academic learning

Early social skill training

A predictable daily routine Restrict the behavior to a

certain place and time



School age

Weak short term memory

Difficulties to concentrate in settings with a lots of

distractors

Difficulties in changing the directions once he gets on the

wrong track

Difficulty understanding abstract concepts

Poor motor skills

Visual learners, learn better if he can verbalize material Disruptive behaviors

Need great structure and routine



Recommendations

Teaching rehearsal strategies

Repeating and rephrasing verbal

instructions

Writing down lists of procedures Facilitating sufficient opportunities to

practice new motor tasks

Physical education and therapy (useful for the development of strengths,

coordination, balance, motor planning

tasks)



Adolescence

A challenging time

Increased awareness of the differences

between themselves and their classmates

Difficulties in develop and sustain

friendships

Bahavioral challenges



Recommendations

Schedules are needed (consistent, with aminimum number of transitions)

Focus on the practical use of learning

(application of math skills to manage money,time)

Skills necessary for community living(enhancement of social skills needs tocontinue)

A course about sexuality, designedspecifically for persons with developmentaldisabilities



Conclusions

Awareness of the broad spectrum andcharacteristic patterns of learning disabilities

Behavior modification technique

Need great structure and routine in their lives ± help them to review the changes

Use different strategies and teaching

methods



For success«

Organize,

Repeat,

Enjoy!

amalia s - pws_education

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