AND BIPOLAR CHILDREN
Until recently Bipolar Disorder (BD) in children was thought to be extremely rare
or nonexistent. While we now recognize that children can indeed have BD, it is
very difficult to recognize and diagnose. Early onset BD does not fit the symptom
criteria established for adults, and its symptoms can resemble or co-occur with
those of other common childhood onset disorders. The vast majority of children
with BD also meet the criteria for ADHD and many meet the diagnostic criteria for
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). BD in children
can also occur with Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and
Tourette’s. It is estimated that a third of the children who are being diagnosed with
ADHD with hyperactivity are actually suffering from the early symptoms BD.
ADHD and BD significantly impairs functioning in school, with peers, and at
home with family. It becomes critical that adults who deal with children become
aware of the often subtle differences between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder so
children can receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. There is evidence
that using traditional stimulant medication with a Bipolar child may worsen manic
symptoms. In this workshop, you will learn the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and
BD and how to differentiate between the two. We will examine school strategies
to deal with both disorders. Without early identification and proper treatment,
ADHD and Bipolar Disorder can have serious consequences. This does not have
to happen.
COURSE CONTENT
• What is ADHD?
• Research on the ADHD brain.
• Understanding the developmental delay in executive functioning
skills.
• The special problems of teens with ADHD.
• What is life like for an ADHD person?
• Is ADHD over diagnosed or mis-diagnosed?
• ADHD and co-morbidity
• ADHD and mis-diagnosis.
• Diagnosing ADHD
• ADHD Treatment
• ADHD and a multi-modal treatment plan.
• Medication issues
• An historical explanation of ADHD.
• Careers for the ADHD person.
LUNCH
• What is Bipolar Disorder
• Symptoms of early onset bipolar disorder in children and teens.
• Diagnosing BD in children and teens.
• Differentiating between ADHD and bipolar disorder.
• Using learning styles information to help the ADHD and BD students
succeed.
• Tactile and Kinesthetic Learners
• Visual Learners
• Auditory Learners
• Learning Style Strategies
• Classroom suggestions for helping ADHD and BD student learn.
• Educational modifications for 504 plans and/or IEPs.
• Teacher interventions
• Classroom management strategies for coping with ADHD.
• Strategies for success at home.
• Strategies for improving intrinsic motivation.
YOUR COURSE OBJECTIVES
The participant will be able to:
• Describe the symptoms and behaviors of the ADHD student and gain an
insight into the world of ADHD.
• Describe effective treatments for ADHD including medication.
• Identify other disorders that often co-exist with ADHD and BD.
• Explain the characteristics of children with BD.
• Differentiate between ADHD and bipolar disorder.
• Identify the core symptoms of ADHD and BD.
• List other disorders that are often mis-diagnosed as ADHD and BD.
• Select learning styles that are successful for the ADHD and BD student.
• Describe the special problems of teens with ADHD and BD.
• Identify accommodations for the student with ADHD and BD.
• State federal law that applies to students with ADHD and BD including 504 plans and IEP’s.
 "The presenter is knowledgeable and personable. This is the best ADHD workshop I have ever attended in 22 years of teaching." Sharon Rich |
Educational Seminars WORKING WITH ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common learning
and behavioral disorders in childhood. In recent years children are being
diagnosed with ADHD in record numbers. While teachers, therapist and
pediatricians are more aware of the unique characteristics of children with both the
hyperactive and inattentive forms of the disorder there is still a lack of
understanding of the disorder and the long term implications. |