Learned helplessness:
- Children with cognitive impairment often have difficulties communicating their needs, wants and feelings. The motor, sensory and communication difficulties impede the child's ability to act on the environment around them and effectively understand the results of their actions.
- When adults do not expect the child to inform them of his/her needs, the child becomes passive.
- This results in the child being misunderstood as well as a passive personality.
- Provide adaptations and instruction for students so they can be aware and in control of their environment.
- Provide multiple means of communication (assistive technology)so they can voice and complete their own tasks.
- SIB is exhibited anywhere from 3-17% in students with cognitive impairment. SIB includes behaviors such as head banging, hair pulling, regurgitation, amputation of fingers and eye-poking.
- Many etiologies have been suggested including specific syndromes such as Retts and Lesch-Nyhan. There has also been studies that have found alterations in neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine and opiods as well as seizures which may affect the chemical balance of the brain.
- Compulsive Behavior Disorders and Communication deficits also play a part in SIB.
- It is important to find the function of the behavior as these behaviors are very detrimental to development as well as cause intense physical harm and tissue damage to the students.
- Be PRO-ACTIVE!
- Use a functional behavior analysis to assess the behavior that is being exhibited and the function of the behavior.
- Have multiple people observe and collect data on the student!
