There are many shows out right now that show some of the dynamics of living with disabilities. I just saw that there should be one more added to the list.
Here’s some interesting shows to check out. Let me know if you have any to add
Month: January 2012
Mental Retardation: the Background and the Issues
Some of the issues relating to mental retardation are the terminology, laws, diagnosis, and symptoms of a child with mental retardation.
Terminology of Mental Retardation
We used to label children TMH (trainable Mentally handicap) and EMH (educable mentally handicap) for the primary reason of not saying “retardation” as a label. However, in the last few years, the labels have changed to MIMR, mildly mentally retarded, and MOMR, severely mentally retarded, with there also being common use of the label Intellectual Disabilities. All of these different ways to say the same thing can create some issues with others keeping pace with the terminology and some getting confused.
Laws of Mental Retardation
Issues relating to the law of “no child left behind.” This law states that no matter the severity of the disability the child should be main-steamed into the regular classroom so that they are exposed to the same opportunities as typically developing children. However, the drawback to this is that the curriculum, language used by teacher and students, does not necessarily match the child effected learning abilities. It can lead to disruptions to the rest of the class, as well as, seclusion of the child.
Diagnosis of Mental Retardation
Issues relating to identification of mental retardation are the comparison of standard scores and their IQ. IQ is rates by scores. For example, an IQ of 130 and above means Very Superior, an IQ of 120-129 means Superior, an 110-119 means High Average, an IQ of 90-109 means Average, an IQ of 80-89 means Low Average, an IQ of 70-79 means MIMR, and an IQ 69 and Lower means MOMR. Standard scores are principles that all standardized tests have to allow a psychologist to “label” a child. If their Standard Score were 72, they would fall in the MIMR range. The final decision is suppose to be a “team ” decision, but an issue might arise if the teachers involved, the psychologist, and parent do not agree.
Symptoms of Mental Retardation
The impact of characteristics might be physical appearance, different walking gaits, being made fun of, being picked on, getting into trouble because they cannot think things through and don’t understand the consequences, and being taken advantage of by regular students.
Conclusion
All of these issues demonstrate how difficult it is not to offend some, how to get the child proper intervention, and how steer through the evolving politics. By discussing with others the issues related to mental retardation, it helps to better understand how many issues there truly are in society.
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Definitions and Challenges
The following is to help understand more about Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in children, so that they can find success in the classroom. It reviews the definitions of emotional disabilities and the challenges of providing services to students with emotional disabilities.
Behavioral disorders become apparent when the student displays a repetitive and impact persistent pattern of behavior that results in the significant disruption in other students. Such disturbances may cause significant impairments in academic, social, and or occupational functioning. Such a behavior pattern is consistent throughout the individual’s life. There can be much difficulty with these children. These children can sometimes need more help than a mainstream classroom can provide. Often more support is needed, but it can be difficult finding a balance between getting the child help and not limiting the child’s access to the mainstream environment.
Characteristics of emotional disturbances include: bullying, exhibiting lots of physical aggression, showing little remorse and compassion, destruction of others property, blame others for wrong doings, and physical abuse of others. Disruptive emotional and behavioral disorders are complicated and may include many different factors working in combination. For example, a child who exhibits the delinquent behaviors of Conduct Disorder, CD, may also have ADHD, anxiety, depression, a drug abuse problem and a difficult home life. This can make working with the effect individuals difficult as it takes patience and understanding. These students can also be disruptive to other children in the classroom making it even more difficult.
Although it difficult working with and raising these children, it can also be highly rewarding watching the children with emotional and behavioral disorders succeed and get beyond the disability.
Down Syndrome: A Bio by the Father of a Child Effected
Down Syndrome effects 1 in every 691 births. It can range in severity, but the common symptoms are a delay in physical and intellectual development. Often individual’s effected have low muscle town, a flattened facial profile, a single crease across the palm, and an upward slant to the eyes. There can be heart, feeding, sight, and other issues involved. Down Syndrome is present when there are 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46 a the chromosome effected is the 21st chromosome. It can be only a partial or a full copy of Chromosome 21. There are cases that they call ‘Mosaic’ where some of the areas of the individual are normal while others are not. There is no known reason for the disorder, but it occurs when there is an error in cell division. The chances increase with age of the mother, but 80% of children born with down syndrome are under 35 years old.
Here’s, Noah’s Dad, a great blog written by a dad that details the life of his child with down syndrome. Hope you can find it helpful
Great Developmental Milestones Quick Guide
As we all know, developmental milestones are huge ques into your child’s health. Here’s a great info graphic all about development of a child 0-18 months old. It let’s you know what to be looking for on the appropriate development of a baby. Hope you find it helpful.
Development Chart: Birth to 18 months
