Download Struggling Academically?

Struggling Academically?
Mental Health
• A state of emotional and social wellbeing in which the
individual can cope with the normal stresses of life and
achieve his or her potential. It includes being able to work
productively and contribute to community life. Mental
health describes the capacity of individuals and groups to
interact, inclusively and equitably, with one another and
with their environment in ways that promote subjective
wellbeing, and optimise opportunities for development and
the use of mental abilities. Mental health is not simply the
absence of mental illness. Multicultural Mental Health Australia Website Glossary of Term
Mental Illness
• A clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly
interferes with an individual’s cognitive, emotional or
social abilities.
• The diagnosis of mental illness is generally made
according to the classification systems of the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
(DSM-IVR) or the International Classification of Diseases,
Tenth Edition (ICD-10).
Multicultural Mental Health Australia Website Glossary of Terms
Keep in mind
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Always remember the whole child
The mental health of every child is important.
Many children have mental health problems.
These problems are real and painful for the child & the family.
Mental illness can be mild, moderate or severe.
Mental illness can be recognised & treated.
• Families and communities can offer significant support if they
understand these difficulties.
• Mental illness can affect academic achievement
• Poor academic achievement can impact mental health
Basic Skills for Coping at School
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physical
language
self-control
social skills
desire to learn
The Work of Learning
Pain of Learning
• Mortimer Adler - (1941) Invitation to the
Pain of Learning
• All learning involves some pain (effort)
• For some it is more painful that for others
• Learning is not ‘child’s play’ but actual
work
Barriers to Academic Achievement
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A learning barrier is anything that hampers a learner’s
ability to achieve learning goals
Socio-economics
Negative and harmful attitudes
Inflexible curriculum
Language & communication methods
Inaccessible & unsafe environment
Inadequate provision of support services
Lack of parental recognition & involvement
Physical disability
Learning Disability
Physical illness
• Mental illness
Mental Health Problems that may Impact
Learning Success
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Fear & Anxiety problems
Repetition problems
Somatic problems
Substance Abuse problems
Mood problems
Attention & Concentration problems
Conduct problems
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Learning & Communication Difficulties
• Intellectual Disability (preferred term for
“mental retardation”) IQ below 70
• Specific Developmental Language Delays
• Specific learning Disabilities
• Acquired learning difficulties as a result of
traumatic brain injury
DSM IV Classification
Intellectual
Disability
Disorders where DSM IV –
the development Axis 11
of learning and ‘Mental
communication Retardation’
skills is impaired
Learning
Disorders
Motor Skills
Disorder
Communicati
on Disorders
Mild ID
Moderate ID
Severe ID
Profound ID
Reading Disorder
Mathematics Disorder
Disorder of Written Expression
Developmental Co-ordination
Disorder
Expressive Language Disorder
Mixed Receptive-Expressive
Disorder
Phonological Disorder
Stuttering
Amnesic Disorder due to Head
Trauma
Indicators of Academic Difficulty
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Failure to achieve grade requirements (1-4 scale)
Not realising personal potential(underachievement)
Poor task completion
Homework problems
School refusal
Behavioural problems
Poor attention & concentration
Complaints of physical symptoms
Management Process
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Identify the problem
Understand the problem via assessment and collateral info
Involve the family & school in the process
Put appropriate remedial and therapeutic measures in place
Refer to appropriate professionals
Provide psychoeducation to family & school
Encourage open communication by all roleplayers
Follow-through on follow-up measures
Re-assess as necessary
Remember that each child and problem will dictate the
specific management strategy
Scholastic Interventions
• Ensure referral for appropriate scholastic
placement/intervention
• Access therapies: physio, OT, speech &
language, remedial
• Effective homework help !!
• Facilitate teacher/school knowledge &
participation
Language Skills
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Listen to and understand what others are saying.
Talk to others.
Understand instructions.
Understand words.
Listen and pay attention.
Respond to questions.
Understand concepts.
Describe feelings
Describe actions and needs
Give information
• Ask and answer questions.
Self-Control Skills
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Express feelings in acceptable manner.
Wait turn and understanding turn-taking
Delay gratification.
Understand connection between behaviours and
consequences.
• Manage anger and frustration non-violently.
• Behave well in the absence of supervision.
• Ask for help to help solve problems or manage
conflicts.
Social Skills
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Feel comfortable being with other children.
Awareness of others and their interests.
Understanding that others have rights and what these are.
Assert own rights and avoid becoming a victim of other
children
• Play cooperatively and act positively towards other children.
• Show consideration and empathy for needs of others.
• Understanding fair treatment.
• Exercise self-control in behaviour towards others.