Researchers are coming to the conclusion that a large number of children in the United States who were thought to have ADHD actually have early onset bipolar disorder. ADHD and early onset bipolar disorder are “look alikes” and can be misdiagnosed. There are many other ADHD look-alikes, which I will address in a future blog.
The child with bipolar disorder can have difficulties in the public school system, for obvious reasons. Their mood swings, manic behaviors and depression can create obstacles to learning. A child with bipolar disorder should be in frequent contact with a caring child psychiatrist who can make appropriate recommendations for medications and therapies available. However, there are things you can do to help make your child’s classroom experience more positive. Some of these adaptations are similar to those which might be made for a child with ADHD, because the symptoms are similar.
Children with bipolar disorder are eligible for special education, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). “Special Education” may simply mean that classroom adaptations can be made to help improve your child’s school experience.
Ten adaptations you can request to help your child with bipolar disorder at school:
- Provide adequate training for your child’s teacher. If your child is in a regular classroom, you should meet with the teacher prior to the beginning of school or as soon as possible thereafter to discuss your child’s diagnosis, what behaviors to expect, what medications your child is taking, and when you want to be contacted. Don’t be afraid to give the teacher reading materials, like a pamphlet from your child’s psychiatrist. Don’t assume your child’s teacher is educated on the topic. If the teacher does not seem sympathetic or isn’t motivated to help, schedule an appointment with the principal. If you disagree with your child’s school placement, you have options and rights. Click here to read my blog: “When You Disagree with Decisions Regarding Your Child’s Education: What to Do.”
- Classroom rules should be posted and reviewed regularly. Your child should understand what consequences will take place when she misbehaves. Discipline should be predictable and consistent. And you, as the parent, should know what the disciplinary approach will be.
- The teacher should give a five minute warning prior to activities changing in the classroom. Your child needs adequate time to disengage from his current task.
- Assignments should be broken down into manageable parts. Your child may need breaks during tests and extended time to complete assignments.
- The classroom will likely need another adult, such as a teaching assistant or parent volunteer, who can assist if your child becomes unmanageable. A plan should be set in place for those occasions, should they occur. For example, the child could be brought to a neutral zone away from the other students to have a break or express frustration without disrupting the class. The child could use breathing techniques for relaxation or be able to walk or do mild forms of exercise until he regains composure. If these techniques don’t work, the child could be brought to the office, and you should be contacted. However, be careful not to “reward” misbehavior by taking the child home and allowing him or her to “play” the rest of the day. A child will soon catch on that misbehavior gets him the day off.
- Suicidal or disturbing comments involving violence should be taken seriously by everyone involved with your child. Make sure this is clearly understood and that all such comments be reported to you, the school psychologist, and your child’s psychiatrist.
- A lot of positive reinforcement should be given when the child is on task and following instructions. Good behavior should be praised, without patronizing the child.
- If serious problems occur, request an IEP meeting as soon as possible. Meeting with the school professionals involved with your child is a way of “putting heads together” to think of specific solutions. Do not be intimidated. Come to the meeting prepared to voice your concerns. (See my blog, “How to Prepare for your child’s IEP meeting.“)
- Look for trends and triggers to your child’s manic episodes. If a problem occurs in the classroom, find out what was happening prior to the incident. What were the antecedents? Is there a certain time of day that outbursts seem to take place? Check-in frequently with your child’s teacher.
- Make sure the school staff is trained in properly dispensing any medications and recognizing side effects.
If school has become an unbearable situation for your child, you might consider a more specialized classroom setting with a smaller teacher-student ratio. Homeschooling is another thing to consider if you’re in the position and have the motivation to do it. Ultimately, you are your child’s best advocate and you know what will help her the most. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask for changes when they’re needed.
Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.