Notes

Outline

It’s  Challenging Behavior, But Is it a Disability? Tennant Kirk     Janie Sailors T/TA Specialist Health Specialist Quality Improvement Center  Quality Improvement Center for Disability Services

The objectives of this presentation are: To engage participants in discussions of mental health and disabilities issues related to challenging behavior; To provide participants with guidelines for making referrals to the appropriate agencies; and To encourage the implementation of prevention strategies.

Challenging Behavior What causes it?

The Causes are Complicated… Biological:  genetics, chemical imbalances, CNS damage (head injury) Environmental: toxins (lead), violence (physical abuse, disasters), stress (chronic poverty), loss (death, divorce)

ADHD

Disabilities with potential behavioral indicators Emotional/Behavioral Disorder Health Impairment: ADD Developmentally Delayed in social/emotional development

A child is considered eligible for disability services if: He/she falls within the     legislative definition 2. By reason of this disability , they require special education and related services

Eligibility Criteria for: Emotional/Behavioral Disorder Head Start Performance Standard 1308.8

Eligibility Criteria for: Health Impairment :  ADD Head Start Performance Standard 1308.7(d)

Eligibility Criteria: Developmentally delayed in social/emotional development. LEA gets to decide State’s definition

Mental Health How do we define it???

Mental Health Issue OR  Disability? How do you respond to a report that a child is exhibiting challenging  behavior?

This is Challenging Behavior, Is it a Disability?

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Vignette Sally is a four year old who lives with her mother.  She hits and bites children. She refuses to pick up toys.  She will use foul language when required to follow classroom rules.  Yesterday she hit a child in the head with a block and then bit and scratched the teacher when the teacher attempted to remove her from the area.  The teacher has threatened to quit. Parents of other children are calling the director and the policy council members to get the child removed from the Head Start classroom.

Where should you refer Sally??

Develop a Comprehensive Prevention Plan Classroom arrangement Schedules and transitions Activities Team Planning Behavior Plans Emotional development and social skill building