Head Start Health Institute May 22, 2013 Bobbie Rose RN California Childcare Health Program

 Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)  Seizure Disorders

1. ASD affects about 1 in 88 children in the United States, with more children identified than ever before. 2. ASD is about 4 times more likely in boys than girls. 3. ASD affects children of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. 4. ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that there are varying degrees of severity and every child with ASD has different skills, challenges, and needs. 5. While do not know all of the causes of ASD, we have learned that there are likely many contributing factors, including genes and the environment.

6. ASD can be reliably diagnosed by age 2, but many children can be diagnosed at earlier ages. 7. Early identification of ASD helps children get the services they need. 8. There is no “cure” for ASD, but there are several interventions that can help children learn important skills that improve everyday life. 9. Typically, the earlier children are diagnosed and receive services, the better their outcomes are. 10. Children with ASD can learn and succeed in the classroom and beyond, with the help of their families, providers, doctors, specialists, and communities.

 Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that impairs a person’s communication, behavior and social skills.

 S/S of autism in infants and toddlers  S/S of autism in preschool age children

 Valid and reliable screening tools  Ages and Stages, M-CHAT, PEDS

 Discussion

 Definition: A neuro-behvioral disorder characterized by significant difficulties with attention, hyperactivity and/or impulsiveness.

1. Usually symptoms emerge before 7 years of age. 2. Often people refer to ADHD as "attention deficit disorder" (ADD), however, this term has not been officially accepted since the 1994 revision of the DSM. 3. ADHD results in restlessness, acting impulsively, and lack of focus which impairs their ability to learn properly. 4. It’s the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. 5. A recent report showed a dramatic rise in diagnosis of ADHD.

6. 30 to 50 percent of those diagnosed in childhood continue to have symptoms into adulthood. 7. ADHD is diagnosed two to four times more frequently in boys than in girls. 8. Management consists of behavior management, counseling and lifestyle changes and sometimes medication. 9. According to a recent parent survey, about two- thirds of the children diagnosed with ADHD were treated with stimulant medications. 10. Teens and college students are know to misuse ADHD medications to increase their ability to concentrate and to improve attention, memory and learning.

 Predominantly Inattentive Type: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.  Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.  Combined Type: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.

 Discussion question:  “How can Head Start classrooms support diversity in neurological development?”

Definition:  A seizure is a sudden alteration of behavior or consciousness caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.  Some seizures involve convulsive activity such as jerking movements or stiffening of the body. Other seizures are exhibited by simply staring off into space.

1. The most common seizure typically begins with sudden change in the child’s level of alertness, followed by shaking or stiffening of the body lasting several minutes. 2. Seizures are often followed by a period of decreased activity, usually sleepiness, and may include temporary paralysis. 3. While first-time seizures that last less than three to five minutes may be frightening, most are not serious. 4. For prolonged, persistent seizure activity that lasts longer than five minutes, parents and caregivers should seek medical care. 5. Seizures that are longer than 15 minutes and recurrent are termed status epilepticus.”

6. Status Epilepticus is a medical emergency. 7. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain. 8. Partial seizures, also known as focal seizures, affect one part or one side of the brain 9. Common causes of seizures include : fever, infection, injury, hemorrhage, brain abnormality, genetic disorder. 10. The vast majority of febrile seizures are felt to be harmless. Something like one in 25 children will have a seizure associated with a fever.

 Suppository –rectal diazepam  Licensing regulations and rectal medications  Discussion  Case Study