Mental Health Disabilities | Origin: ED201
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Students with Disabilities in the Classroom --> Mental Health Disabilities
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
I learned that psychological disabilities can affect students' moods, behaviors, and ability to function, but every student is different. I will apply this knowledge by focusing on the student rather than the diagnosis, setting clear expectations, and using positive strategies to support appropriate classroom behavior. I will also try to be patient, consistent, and understanding.
I learned that mental disabilities can severely affect the student's performance in the classroom for very many reasons
This module taught me that mental health conditions can significantly affect a student's learning, behavior, attendance, concentration, memory, and social interactions. I learned that students with mental health challenges, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, may need additional support, understanding, and accommodations to be successful in the classroom.
I learned that students with bipolar disorder may experience periods of high energy, impulsivity, or difficulty focusing, as well as periods of depression, low motivation, and fatigue. Students with schizophrenia may have challenges with concentration, processing information, communication, or distinguishing reality from symptoms they may be experiencing. These conditions can impact academic performance and classroom participation.
I also learned the importance of:
Maintaining a safe, structured, and predictable classroom environment.
Building positive and respectful relationships with students.
Following accommodations and supports outlined in IEPs, 504 Plans, or other support plans.
Communicating appropriately with counselors, administrators, special education staff, and families when concerns arise.
Focusing on the student's strengths and abilities rather than the diagnosis.
Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
I will apply this knowledge by creating a supportive learning environment, providing flexibility when appropriate, monitoring student well-being, and working collaboratively with support staff to help students succeed. By demonstrating patience, empathy, and consistency, I can help students feel safe, valued, and capable of learning regardless of the challenges they may face.
mental disabilities are a huge issue among students and must be handled individually
Mental health disabilities can affect students ability to learn, participate, communicate, and manage the demands of the classroom. Focus on student's needs and behavior without making assumptions. I intend to be supportive while maintaining a respectful classroom environment.
I learned that focusing on the student and not the disorder will help control the situation and not bring unwanted attention to the situation. It is helpful to know how to work with students with mental disorders.
Psychological disorders can be challenging to work with. Those with Bipolor disorder have a shift in moods ranging from depressive moods to normal and high moods. The student with OCD will have recurrent thoughts, impulses or behaviors that make learning and functioning in the classroom challenging. ODD is a disorder that involves hostile, negative or defiant behaviors over a period of 6 months.
I learned new techniques for working with students with psychiatric disorders. A learning environment that has a lot of order and consistency is beneficial for these students. It is also helpful to remain calm and when addressing a student having an episode. To mitigate episodes student can work on ways to check in with themselves to see if their behavior is changing.
Focusing on the student and what is going on instead of the disability being in the forefront.
Understanding how not to trigger or make the situations escalade is very important to keep down confusion and to reach the student.
Establishing an environment that provides structure in the classroom and consistent application of rules can help some students with psychological disabilities.
I learned there is a difference between OCD and OCPD. OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) done to relieve anxiety, which the person usually finds irrational, while OCPD (Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder) is a personality pattern of perfectionism, rigidity, and control where the person often sees their rigid behaviors as appropriate and correct, leading to interpersonal problems.
Also, it is good to start each day with a clean slate for students with some mental health disorders.
The do's and don'ts to avoid with students with disabilities.
There are various different mental disorders that require maintaining a calm demeanor, refraining from raising one's voice, and beginning each day with a fresh, focused mindset.
patience and forgiveness is key when interacting with someone is vital to forming a bond with most people, and you have to remember that even when they have something going on that causes you to become frustrated or angry with them.
I enjoyed learning more about psychological disorder, such as Bipolar, OCD, and ODD. There are common mistakes to avoid with the student who is bipolar, has OCD or ODD as well as strategies that will enhance the students' behavior in a positive manner and know that we are not qualified or learning about how to diagnose a psychological disorder.
The disorder of ODD is new to me. I realize that I have probably seen more afflicted with this than I actually knew.
An overview of common psychological disabilities with some possible accommodations was very helpful.
I didn't know ODD was a thing. I like the idea of setting up cues with students. The issue will be getting them to pay attention and pick up on said cues.
