Emotional Difficulties

Brendan, Ben and Sam Emotional Difficulties

Todays Presentation Outline General IntroductionSpecific Introduction Obsessive Compulsive disorder (O.C.D)Prevalence and Statistics Available Help (State and National)Teaching Strategies Activity Conclusion

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) In Australia EBD is the preferred term

However SEBD (Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties) is also used.

Umbrella term which covers wide range of difficulties, syndromes and conditions

Difficulties of Definition Not only have no agreed-upon definition

Not universally accepted as categories

Other terms commonly used include Mental health disorder Mental health concerns Disruptive behaviour

Identifying EBDDisability Discrimination ACT 1992 Disability Standard for Education (2005):

A disorder, illness or disease that affects a persons thought processes, perceptions or reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour.

EBDObsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D)Selective mutismOppositional Defiance (O.D.B)Conduct Disorder (C.D)Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD)Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D)Separation Anxiety Disorder (S.A.D)

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyOboNDrYsY

To Define OCDObsessive: Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images

Compulsions: Repetitive activities or mental acts

Disorder: To disrupt the systematic functioning or neat arrangement of/a state of confusion

Ask yourself?What is something you do every day?

Brush your teeth?Shower?Turn off a light switch?Eat Lunch at 12:15pm?

OCD SufferersFeel they must perform a particular ritual

If not completed, may lead to anxiety and discomfort

Signs/SymptomsCleanliness/order

Counting/hoarding

Safety/checking

Sexual issues

Religious/moral issues

The main difference between "neat freaks" and people with OCD is that "neat freaks" like being neat. They want to be that way because they feel like it helps them and keeps them productive.

People with OCD wish they werent that way, but feel they have to do their rituals in order to prevent some dreaded catastrophe that is unlikely in the first place. OCD is based on fear. OCD rituals are responses to obsessions. "Neat freaks" do not have obsessions like people with OCD do.

Not everyone with OCD is focused on cleanliness. OCD is pretty diverse in terms of its symptoms and everyone has symptoms that are a little different - their own personal spin.

Jonathan Abramowitz, PhD

OCD Statistics2-3% of the worlds population

Between 22 to 36 years of Age

50-50 balance between sexes

Mental Heath Statistics1 in 7 children suffer from mental health difficulties IN AUSTRALIAIn America, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults8 percent of teens aged 1318 have an anxiety disorderEmotional and behavioural disorders affect 10-15% of the global populationIn the Netherlands, social and attention problems affect a total of 29.4 and 17.7% of children respectively

So what if I am concerned? Remember GRIPGather

Promote WellbeingInvolveRespond

Follow Up and Reflect

Government Support for SchoolsDisability Discrimination Act (1992) and Disability Standards for Education (2005)

Support for children/students with EBD is highly state-dependent

Outside intervention is often sought when disruptive behaviour is displayed

EBD not categorised as a disability in South AustraliaTargeted funding is available to schools through the Disability Support Program (DSP) for challenging behaviour

We have chosen to involve support. What government support is there? Might not be living or working in SA for all of our careers, so read the Cummings paper. Briefly summarise some of it here though. Only ACT explicitly states that an IEP is needed. Some states mandate a behaviour plan but that doesnt necessary focus on any underlining emotional problems. DSP behaviour support only for students with ASD or mental health problem.16

Where to go for helpFor Students and FamiliesBeyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au) helps find local support services

Headspace (headspace.org.au)

Reachout (au.reachout.com)

Kids Helpline

The Panic Room SA (Payneham)

Adolescent Services (Enfield)

Division of Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) - based at multiple locations

Australian Psychological Society (www.psychology.org.au) helps to find specialised services based on needs

Lots of organisations. DECD links to many of these if support is needed.17

Where to go for helpGeneral Services (for children, families and/or educators)Kidsmatter.edu.au & Mindmatters.edu.au (Initiative of the Australian government and Beyond Blue)Responseability.orgQueensland education department (Fact sheets for teachers and referenced by DECD)Centre for Emotional Health (Macquarie University) fact sheets

For children and families with disabilitiesAutism SANovita

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Teaching Strategies and Adjustments2 Step Perspective Ethical underpinningIs it the right thing to do?Appeals to feelings, emotions and social understanding

Intellectual strategyUnderstanding our and others behaviourAppeals to our cognition and insight

Need both perspectives to respond effectively

So the student is now seeking help externally, but what can be done within the classroom to support the student?19

How school staff can help?Suggestions from Kids Matter (2013) :Teach coping skills

Discourage avoidance

Encourage having a go

Set realistic expectations

Develop independence

Access help when needed

Modify and monitor stressful activities

More Strategies Feeling boxes

Talk about emotions and have part of a lesson

Exit plan

Recognise small achievements using positive reinforcement, communication strategies and feedback

Provide explicit guidelines for assignments

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6 groups

Case study each

Discuss with group what teaching strategies you would use

Then create a short role play performance demonstrating how these teaching strategies would be implemented

Conclusion EBD covers range of difficulties, syndromes and conditions

No agreed-upon definition which causes difficulties in education setting

GRIP

References GG31109 2011, Short Film Festival Winner - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), YouTube, viewed 14 October 2014Beyond Blue: KidsMatter 2013, Anxiety: Suggestions for school staff, Australian Government Department of Health and Aging, Canberra. Education Queensland 2012, What is anxiety? Information sheet, Queensland Government Student Services, Department of Education, Training and the Arts, Brisbane. Hyde, M. Carpenter, L. & Conway, R. (2014) Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement (2nd ed.) Oxford University Press.Wiltshire Country Council 2006, The Secondary Teachers Toolkit for Including Young People with Social Communication Difficulties, Children with Autism: Strategies for Accessing the Curriculum, SEN partnerships, Wilshire.Cumming 2011, The Education of Students With Emotional and Behaviour Disabilities in Australia: Current Trends and Future Directions, Intervention in School and Clinic, vol. 48, no. 3 pp. 55-61.