SCOOP

The

Ms. Freylings Fantastic Learners!

EUISMOD
ELEMENTUM

Welcome! Read this newsletter to get the scoop of everything

that is happening in our upper elementary resource room. Enjoy!

Hello! I would just like to take a moment to introduce

myself. My name is Ms. Freyling and I have the
absolute honor of teaching your very bright children.
Please know that I am thrilled for this school year!
Our school contains some diversity within the student population,
so this newsletter is written to inform you of several different
disabilities. My hope is that you will learn a lot and gain a better
understanding about exceptionalities after reading this newsletter.

Contact Me!
mikayla.freyling@hope.edu
Room #123
Phone: (123)-456-7890

Table of Contents:
ADHD
Learning Disabilities
Emotional Impairments

2
3
4

March 1, 2016
ABC School
1234 Learn Street
Grand Rapids, MI 56789

O.H.I
Federal Definition

IDEA (2004)
Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act

Other Health Impairments means having limited strength, vitality, or

alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that
results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that...
(1) is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention
deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes,
epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia,
nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome.
(2) adversely affects a childs educational performance.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Sydneys Story**

Characteristics

Sydney was just recently diagnosed

with AD/HD (Attention Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder) at the end of first
grade. She is 7 years old and is often
overly active at school and at home.
Sydney struggles academically because
of her inability to focus. She is constantly
fidgeting and squirming during the
school day. At home, Sydney runs
around the house and doesnt complete
her homework or chores when asked by
her parents. Finally, Sydneys parents
had her tested by a trained professional
after she almost got hit by a car while
spontaneously running across the street.
Sydney still has trouble paying attention
and sitting still, but the medication given
by the doctors has helped. Now, success
is being reached in school and at home
because Sydneys parents have done
their research and have implemented
several strategies for individuals with
AD/HD. Plus, Sydneys parents and
teacher have come up with a healthy
plan for her.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder is a condition that makes it
difficult for an individual to pay
attention, sit still, and behave
appropriately in everyday scenarios.
People with AD/HD often exhibit the
following symptoms:
Inattention: problem
with paying attention.
Hyperactivity: being
very active.
Impulsivity: acting
before thinking (Attention
Deficit Disorder Association, 2015).

Behavior
Some behaviors include:
Not following directions
Not paying attention
Not being organized
Getting distracted easily
Inability to play quietly
Blurting out answers
Struggling to be patient
Running and climbing
Fidgeting and Squirming

Rich Resources:
ADDitude
The following website provides
strategies and support for parents of
children with ADHD.
http://www.additudemag.com/
resource-center/adhd-parentingskills.html

ADDA
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
http://www.add.org

iRewardChart APP

Accommodations
Come up with a plan to meet the
individuals personal needs and help
him/her flourish in school and at home.
Some of the following strategies and
techniques can be implemented to better
accommodate individuals with AD/HD:
For Teachers:
Post clear rules, schedules, and
assignments so students can stay
organized and know what to expect.
Allow for space to move around.
Let the student use a computer.
Break down the lesson.
Encourage good behavior.
For Parents:
Be positive. Praise your child for
appropriate behavior. Reward system.
Be patient.
Talk to your doctor about using
medication.
Find support groups.
(NICHCY, 2015)

This free APP allows parents or

guardians to give positive
reinforcement for good behavior
(example: completing chores around
the house) through the rewarding of
stars. Children may also
track their own progress!
iRewardChart is good
for kids who need help
with self-control and selfawareness.

Timer
Using a timer can
be very
beneficial for
children with
ADHD. It helps these individuals stay
on task and manage their time. Dont
forget to always make note of when a
child behaves appropriately. Reward
him or her after focusing for the
amount of time given.

Learning Disabilities

Rich Resources:

Timothys Testimony**
Timothy, a very bright and hard
working student, loves school when he
gets to read, attend history class, and
study science.
Timothy is just like all
of his peers when it
comes to average
intelligence and
social situations.
Math, however, is a
completely different
story. Timothy is two grade levels behind
his peers with mathematical reasoning
and calculations. He frequently has
difficulty solving arithmetic problems and
grasping math concepts. Sometimes,
Timothys numbers get written
backwards or in a reverse order. After
the school conducted an evaluation,
Timothy was diagnosed with a Learning
Disability. He has been receiving special
help from a resource room teacher every
day. Timothy has made large strides
toward completing grade level content
math and is on track to living a
successful life.

Behavior
A Learning Disability usually consists
of problems in one or more of the
following areas: reading (dyslexia),
writing (dysgraphia), listening, speaking,
reasoning, and doing math (dyscalculia).
When an individual struggles in one of
these skills, it usually makes an academic
setting a very challenging environment.

Learning
Disability

Characteristics
When an individual has a Learning
Disability, he or she has an average to
above average IQ. This means that
students with LD are as smart or smarter
than their peers. It is a neurological
disorder that makes understanding and
using language very difficult. Math,
reading, writing, and speaking can also
be problematic areas. Their brains are
simply wired differently than most
individuals. People with LD sometimes
have poor social skills as well. It is a
lifelong disability, but these individuals
can still succeed in life when given
support and encouragement (Learning
Disabilities of America, 2016).

LDA
Learning Disabilities Association of
America is a wonderful website that
provides support and resources for
parents with children who have LD.
http://ldaamerica.org/parents/

Talking Calculator
A talking calculator
can help individuals
with a Learning
Disability in math
(dyscalculia). These
children have severe
difficulty in making
arithmetical
calculators.

Word Wizard APP

Accommodations
Accommodations are supports and
changes that help individuals with LD:
For Teachers:
Direct instruction (explain and
demonstrate the material being
taught).
Use a multi-sensory approach.
Break learning into small steps.
Provide quality feedback.
(NICHCY, 2015)
For Parents:
Become knowledgable about this
disorder.
Encourage your childs strengths.
Understand his/her weaknesses.
Work with professionals to learn
about different strategies for dealing
with specific challenges.

This APP has text to

speech capabilities
for students with LD.
Elementary students
can practice
spelling as well as
hearing sounds and
letters. It can highlight unrecognizable
words and act as a spellchecker.
Individuals who have difficulty reading
may benefit from using this APP.

Kidspiration
Kidspiration is another assistive
technology for children with LD. It is
the visual way to explore and
understand words, numbers, and
concepts.

Specific Learning Disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic

psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken
or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak,
read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. The term includes conditions
such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia,
and developmental aphasia. It does not include learning problems that are

Federal Definition
IDEA (2004)

primarily a result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation,

of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic
disadvantage.

Lindsays Lifestyle**
Lindsay was tested by trained professionals after having multiple emotional meltdowns and temper tantrums in school and at
home. She was diagnosed with having a Conduct Disorder, a specific Emotional Impairment. Lindsay can act out in a flip of the
switch. She is currently receiving therapy and training in problem solving skills. This support has decreased her aggression, temper
tantrums, and inappropriate crying. Now, she is getting better at coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Emotional Disturbance means a condition exhibiting one or more of the

following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree

Emotional
Impairment

that adversely affects a childs educational performance:

(1) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or
health factors.
(2) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with
peers and teachers.
(3) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.

Federal Definition
IDEA (2004)

(4) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.

(5) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal
or school problems.
Emotional disturbance includes schizophrenia, but does not include students
who are socially maladjusted or at-risk, unless it is determined they have E.I.

Emotional Impairments
Characteristics and
Behavior
Under the overarching term of
Emotional Disturbance, Mental Illness,
and Behavioral Disorders, lyes some
specific conditions:
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Conduct Disorders
Eating Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Psychotic Disorders
Characteristics within this disability
include hyperactivity (short attention
span), aggression, anxiety, withdrawal
(not interacting socially with others),
inappropriate crying, temper tantrums,
repetitive behaviors, and academic
difficulties.
In general, mental illnesses are
medical conditions that disrupt a
persons thinking, feelings, mood, ability
to relate to others, and daily functioning.
It makes it difficult to cope with the
normal and ordinary demands of life.

Accommodations
Mental illnesses are very treatable,
but it often depends on the severity of
the specific condition. Most individuals
can experience relief from their
symptoms by actively participating in an
individual treatment plan. Most of these
disorders can be treated with,
medication, psychosocial treatment,
psychotherapy, and counseling.
When a child is diagnosed with a
disability and eligible for special
education services, an IEP
(Individualized Education Plan) is
created. This plan includes personal
strategies and supports.
The following accommodations
could be made for individuals with E.I:
Set clear rules and expectations.
Encourage organization and
routine.
Set goals for success.
Behavior Chart/Points Sheet.
iPod that plays calming music.
Be consistent.
(Do2Learn, 1999)

Rich Resources:
Check out the following website for more
information about Emotional Impairments.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/
repository/emotionaldisturbance/