View
1
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Partnering with your school to facilitate positive outcomes for
your childJeanette Sealy – Learning SupportCoordinatorEmily Bruining – Occupational TherapistRobyn Hickmott – Physiotherapist
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Outline ● The Stats
● The Systems
● The School
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Stats about children with HSD:
● 48% are less active and less able to participate in sports● 41% miss time from school● 40% report handwriting difficulties
● 24% report “problems at school”
Adib et al, 2005
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Research also tells us that:
Children with HSD who danced on average 3.3hrs/week reported:
● fewer unstable joints
● lower pain levels
● and found pain to be less problematic, affecting less of their body
● less fatigue
● better QOL in the subdomain of school functioning
Nicholson et al, 2017
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
It is essential for us to explore and understand the impact of the child’s challenges on school, home and their social life.
Engelbert et al, 2017
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Many children reduce physical activity and stop participating in physical education due to fear of injury or pain
Engelbert et al, 2017
Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire, 2016
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
The System
● Disability Discrimination Act (1992)
● Disability Standards for Education (2005)
● Legal obligation to ensure that students with a disability can access and
participate in education on the same basis as other students.
● ‘Reasonable adjustments’ - enable students to participate in education on
the same basis as other students.
https://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
People covered under the Act include those with:
• Disabilities (including learning, intellectual, physical or sensory)
• Genetic conditions
• Mental and physical illness
• Those with HIV/AIDS
• ADHD
• Carers and associates of people with disabilitieshttps://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
● Provides a helpful framework to schools. ● Identifies the types and number of disabilities.● Levels of adjustments needed by individual students.
Processes and policies vary from school to school but must meet legal obligations.
https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/guidelines-nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability-2018
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Where does HSD fit?
● Types of Impairment- physical, sensory, social/emotional, cognitive.
● Levels of adjustment - quality differentiated teaching, supplementary, substantial, extensive.
● Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder is classified as a physical impairment.
● The level of adjustment depends on the individual’s needs and can change over time and across curriculum areas.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Reasonable Adjustment
● Any measure or action taken to assist a student with any impairment toparticipate in education on the same basis as other students.
● Considers the student’s learning needs and balances the interests of allparties affected, including those of the student, the education provider,staff and school cohort.
https://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Potential Barriers in Education
● Day to day classroom routines – sitting for prolonged periods of time, poor
ergonomic seating.● Day to day logistics – movement around the school, weight of school bag,
length of school day.● Expectations for camps, excursions, co-curricular activities etc.
● Participation in the set school sports program and associated events due to
injury and pain management.● The impact of fatigue and injury on daily attendance.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Potential Barriers in Education cont’d
● Psychological dysfunction – anxiety, depression, perception of peers, staff
etc.
● Student engagement in proposed plan.
● Academic requirements – handwriting requirements, timed assessments,
assignments and workload.
● Lack of school based resources.
● Lack of knowledge or understanding of HSD and its impact on the
individual.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Examples of Reasonable Adjustments:
● Rest and movement breaks.● Provision of ergonomic furniture or equipment.
● Reduced workload.● Assessment accommodations e.g. rest breaks.
● Use of computer and assistive technology in non-assessment tasks e.g.Speech to Text software.
● Modifications to school based Physical Education program.● Modifications to camp activities/requirements and sports activities.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Starting a positive partnership with your school
● Face to face meetings or alternative communication methods
● Identify one or two clear priorities which will improve the student’s school
experience, and write them into a plan
● Have a proactive focus
● Let the school contact know what you would like to discuss.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Who’s at the table?
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
At the Meeting- R.I.F.F.!
● Record● Inform● Facilitation● Future
Emily Bruining, 2018
Emily Bruining, 2018
COMMUNICATION
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Ongoing communication
● Use the communication method agreed upon● K.I.S.S● Plan for excursions and changes in sport programs to maximise kid’s
participation!● Changes to the plan● Take advantage of opportunities to meet and discuss when proposed by
the school - even when things are going well, it can be valuable to reflect
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
"Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers"
Isaac Asimov
● “Nice” handwriting is not a goal (unless you want a career as a calligrapher!), but a means of expression
● There are many means of expression, including typing, drawing, multimedia, music, scribing...
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
● Detailed Assessment for Speed of Handwriting (DASH) with an Occupational Therapist
● Occupational therapy intervention:○ Remedial approach ○ Compensatory approach ○ Build core and upper limb strength and control
● School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA) requirements
Intervention
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA)
Recognises that:● Students with a diagnosed disability, impairment or medical condition may
be disadvantaged in timed assessments.● Adjustments may need to be made to the exam conditions to facilitate
student access to the assessment.● It is not about creating an advantage but about assisting the student to
demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills fairly in ATARcourse examinations.
www.scsa.wa.edu.au
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
SCSA guidelines for Year 12 ATAR Course Examinations
● The granting of special examination arrangements is not automatic.● Medical and/or psychometric evidence plus supporting school-based
historical information is required.● SCSA indicates the parameters around the evidence of the diagnosis
required and the types of arrangements that might be granted.● The most commonly granted arrangements include rest breaks (non-
working time) and the use of specialised equipment e.g. desks, chairs,cushion, slope board etc.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
SCSA guidelines for Year 12 ATAR Course Examinations
● The onus is on the school to prepare and lodge the application inconsultation with the student, parent, key people at the school andexternal service providers such as medical practitioners.
● A suitably qualified panel appointed by SCSA assess the application anddetermine the special arrangement to be granted.
www.scsa.wa.edu.au
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
School based case management● Reasonable adjustments put in place should reflect what the student would
most likely be granted if applying for special examination arrangements in
Year 12.
● Adjustments should be recognised in a documented plan (CAP, IEP etc).
● Adjustments should have been in place over a sustained period of time and
have proven to reduce the functional impact on the student.
● case studies to follow as examples
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Aleisha (15) year 11Barrier
● pain & fatigue
● sitting is difficult
● poor sleep
● Struggling with handwriting
● Not participating in sport at school
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Aleisha (15) year 11Barrier Reasonable adjustments
● regular rest/movement breaks
● preferential seating
● allow cushion/s
● adequate time to copy from board
● use of laptop where appropriate
● monitor & modify homework
● teach to self regulate to manage
fatigue & pain
● pain & fatigue
● sitting is difficult
● poor sleep
● Struggling with handwriting
● Not participating in sport at school
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Aleisha (15) year 11Barrier Reasonable adjustments
● regular rest/movement breaks
● preferential seating
● allow cushion/s
● adequate time to copy from board
● use of laptop where appropriate
● monitor & modify homework
● teach to self regulate to manage
fatigue & pain
● pain & fatigue
● sitting is difficult
● poor sleep
● Struggling with handwriting
● Not participating in sport at school
● Student reluctance to take advantage
of/or to facilitate the plan
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Andrew (12) year 7Barrier
● Chronic pain which moves around a lot
● Recurrent subluxations shoulders & hips
● Several joint stabilisation surgeries
● Uses aids to walk
● POTS- prone to fainting
● Illegible handwriting
● Anxious about all the schoolwork he’s
missed
● Physically deconditioned
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Andrew (12) year 7Barrier
● Chronic pain which moves around a lot
● Recurrent subluxations shoulders & hips
● Several joint stabilisation surgeries
● Uses aids to walk
● POTS- prone to fainting
● Illegible handwriting
● Anxious about all the schoolwork he’s
missed
● Physically deconditioned
Reasonable Adjustments
● Flexibility with uniform
● High locker
● More time to move around school
○ Leave class 5 mins early with buddy
● Faint & POTS plan
● Subluxation/pain flare plan
● Use of pen grips/slope board/rest time
● Health centre access to rest flat
● Physio prescribed exercise plan
○ Done independently during Phys Ed
under supervision of teacher
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Tiffany (6) year 1Barrier
● Injury prone
● ADHD
● Cannot sit still
● Takes longer to complete work
● Easily distracted
● Phys ed teacher concerned re excessive
range and erratic movements
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Tiffany (6) year 1Barrier
● Injury prone
● ADHD
● Cannot sit still
● Takes longer to complete work
● Easily distracted
● Phys ed teacher concerned re excessive
range and erratic movements
● Phys ed modifications
○ Low impact
○ Paced breaks
○ Emphasis on joint control not speed
● Subluxation plan
● Rest and movement breaks
● Hokki stool
● Allow time to copy from board or provide
notes or Onenote
Reasonable adjustments
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Build a positive relationship with your school.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Build a positive relationship with your school.
● Establish a chain of clear and regular communication with the school
around the child’s needs (without swamping the school).
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Build a positive relationship with your school.
● Establish a chain of clear and regular communication with the school
around the child’s needs (without swamping the school).
● Allow the school to inform all staff involved with the student about
the adjustments.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:● Build a positive relationship with your school.
● Establish a chain of clear and regular communication with the school
around the child’s needs (without swamping the school).
● Allow the school to inform all staff involved with the student about the
adjustments.
● Seek input from external therapists (OT, Psychologist, Physiotherapist,
Podiatrist, Specialist, GP) bearing in mind what is reasonable within the
context of the school, staffing, resources.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Notify school of your child’s sensitivity to how they want to be treated and
viewed by others.
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Notify school of your child’s sensitivity to how they want to be treated and
viewed by others.
● Be aware of the need for advanced planning and flexibility around
participation – upcoming events (i.e. carnivals, camps etc.)
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Notify school of your child’s sensitivity to how they want to be treated and
viewed by others.
● Be aware of the need for advanced planning and flexibility around
participation – upcoming events (i.e. carnivals, camps etc.)
● Make time to reflect/review
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Important Takeaways:
● Notify school of your child’s sensitivity to how they want to be treated and
viewed by others.
● Be aware of the need for advanced planning and flexibility around
participation – upcoming events (i.e. carnivals, camps etc.)
● Make time to reflect/review
● Know the constraints of SCSA
SPONSORED BYEhlers-Danlos Society Learning Conference, December 2018
Thankyou
Recommended