Addressing Barriers to Learning: Helping Students Cope with Disruptive Behaviors

Anxiety Disorder

Mental Health in the Schools Series

Suzanne RillingMili Lal

Susan Cole

OBJECTIVES

Overview of Anxiety Disorder Signs and Symptoms Strategies/Interventions Classroom Accommodations Developing a Plan Case Study

ANXIETY

A generalized response to people or events that pose no immediate threat although to the individual they seem threatening.

Types of Anxiety Disorders: Separation Anxiety

Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Panic Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Phobias (social, objects, animals)

ANXIETY DISORDERS

General Information:

Effects approx. 8-10% of school aged children

Most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis in those 16 yrs. & younger

Associated with negative impact in multiple domains

High rate of comorbidity

Diagnostic Criteria

Symptoms are at an inappropriate severity level for age and developmental stage.

Must cause SIGNIFICANT functional impairment to be considered a disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety: COGNITIVE

Fearful Nervous Stressed Self-defeating Inattentive Indecisive

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety: BEHAVIORAL

Restless Clingy Dependent Shy Withdrawn Avoidant

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety:PHYSICAL

Increased heart rate

Shortness of breath Skin Irritation Sweating Gastro-Intestinal Dizziness Dry Mouth Stuttering

Sleep Disturbance Muscle tension

ACTIVITY

WHAT MIGHT ANXIETY LOOK LIKE IN YOUR CLASSROOM/SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT?

Observable/Measurable Behaviors of Anxiety in the Classroom

Clingy Refusal Withdrawn Leaving the room Frequent visits to

the nurse Shut down

Cries easily Negative self-talk Nail biting Hair Twirling

Types of Treatment

Psychotherapeutic Treatments Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy Family Therapy Other Therapies

Medication Treatments

Other Services

Anxiety and Development

Childhood Fear of animals,

the dark, imaginary creatures

Middle Childhood School

Performance Adolescence

Social and Interpersonal

STRATEGY INFORMATION SHARE

WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOESN’T?

Helpful Accommodations

Back and Forth Notebook between home and school

Extended time for tests/assignments

Late start to school day or shortened day

Unlimited access to bathroom/water

Extra set of books at home

Tool kit to manage emotions

Calculator for math Break long tasks into

smaller segments Permission to have

snacks Alternative/Modified

assignments Books on tape Natural Light Hard copy of notes

Developing A Good Intervention Plan

STEP 1: Establish a team

STEP 2: Get Student Input

STEP 3: Teach Self-Monitoring Techniques

STEP 4: Design Classroom Exit Strategy for the student

CASE STUDY

MATTHEW-6th Grade

AVAILABLE SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES