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Resource #3 School and Classroom Strategies: Bipolar Disorder 

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Resource #3 School and Classroom Strategies: Bipolar Disorder 

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Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

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Resource #1 Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder 

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Resource #1 Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder 

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-Flexibility with assignments, curriculum and presentation style
-Patience : Being able to encourage positive behaviors and provide positive behavioral choices. Staying calm is the best model of desired behavior
-Good Conflict Management Skills: Teachers must be able to resolve conflicts in a non-confrontational and positive manner.
-Receptivity: Being able to work collaboratively with child’s parents, doctors and other professionals to meet the child’s needs.
-The ability to laugh at oneself : Teachers can help reduce the stress level of the student by bringing humor into the classroom.

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A doctor will ask questions about your child’s mood, sleeping patterns, energy and behavior. Depending on the age of the child, they will give them a assessment to take that will help identify the symptoms. Doctors will also need to know about family medical issues such as depression and alcoholism. (Children can be diagonosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 5)

Treatment: Medication has been the most effective treatment for children with bipolar disorder. Many children with bipolar disorder need to take medication for long periods to combat the illness. Parents must be patient with their children while doctors try to find the right medication for the child.
Medications that are given to children:
-Mood Stabilizing Medication
-Antipsychotic Medicaitons
-Antidepressant Medication

Psychotherapy: therapy can help your child to learn the best ways to identify and respond to their manic and depressive symptoms when they occur. Family counseling can also help your child’s other loved ones learn how to live and manage the ups and downs from the bipolar disorder.

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Bipolar I: also known as “manic-depressive illness” is the most serious form of the disorder. Children with this type experience manic episodes or mixed (manic and depressive) episodes that can last for at least a week. They can be so severe that the child is not able to sleep or function. Sometimes a depressive episode can last for two weeks and may require hospitalization.

Bipolar II: A form that is slightly milder than Bipolar I. Children can also experience manic episodes but only may last up to 4 days with less serious symptoms. The mild manic episodes are called Hypomania.

Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified (NOS): This is an even milder form of bipolar disorder. Children’s episodes don’t last as long or have the same severity of symptoms.

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Causes:
-Family History
-Anxiety Disorder
-Neurotransmiters: a chemical imbalance in the brain
-Environment: stressful environments may trigger bipolar disorder

Triggers:
-Changes in sleep habits
-Sensory Overload
-Stress
-A LOT of excitement
-A break from the norm
-Fights with family or friends
-Temperature Change
-Stressful environments

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Bipolar Disorder Statistics - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

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How Can Bipolar Disorder Affect Parents and Families?

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How Can Bipolar Disorder Affect Parents and Families?

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Bipolar Disorder can affect family members in various ways. They may experience a variety of emotions as they learn to accept someone who has bipolar disorder. It’s important to know how to handle the emotions. Families will likely feel sorrow and grief because they may feel like they lost the person they once knew. Families may assume that the family member with bipolar disorder cannot live happily, however, they can. It is just a challenge that families may face.

The biggest concern for families is what will happen when the family member with bipolar disorder has a manic episode. One way to help reduce this worry is to develop a plan and communicate how the family will manage the situation in difficult times.

What families can do to support their family member with bipolar disorder:
-educate yourself on the disorder
-support the family member to manage their disorder
-believe in them
-continue to love them through hard times

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Parent Tips: How can I support my child through their journey?

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Parent Tips: How can I support my child through their journey?

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-Maintain structure and regularity in activities (schedules)
-Keep a mood log (this will help you identify patterns and triggers)
-Plan ahead: to avoid unnecessary situations
-Decrease family conflict
-Remember your child’s strengths and assets
-Be aware off stressful events outside of home
-Facilitate transitions
-Have a crisis plan in place
-Be aware of unrealistic expectations
-Take care of yourself*

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This high-quality website gives teachers information on how to accommodate children with bipolar disorder’s needs.
Classroom Accommodations includes:
-Extended Time on Testing
-A second set of books at home
-Mental Breaks
-Reduced Work in times of instability
-Reduced classroom size
-Limiting sensory inputs: lights, noise
-Organizational Assistance
-Safe place to go when child is feeling distressed *

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Bipolar Disorder in the Classroom

A powerful guide that offers hope, encouragement and new perspectives for educators as they tackle tough classroom situations. This book shows the educational impact of the illness and gives educators the tools to help their student find success.

The Student with Bipolar Disorder: An Educator's Guide

Teaching children with bipolar disorder can be both rewarding and challenging. This free downloadable brochure gives a concise overview of helping students with bipolar disorder.

Teacher Training: Four Part Webinar Series

The Webinar Series: Listen to our 4 part teacher training webinar series presented to the teachers of the state of Nebraska in association with ESU 13.

​Bipolar disorder can have many effects on a student in the classroom. Symptoms of both depression and mania can interfere with learning and make it difficult for the student to pay attention, stay on task, remain focused, and maintain motivation. In addition, cognitive effects may be seen in multiple areas including executive functioning, memory, and organizational skills. Bipolar disorder can also affect the child's ability to correctly process facial expressions and the emotional meaning of language. This can cause conflict with peers and staff, making social interaction a challenge.

?Isn't this just a behavioral issue

?How can I help a student with bipolar disorder in the classroom

?Do children with bipolar disorder qualify for an IEP

?What accommodations may be helpful

?How can I improve my classroom environment

​Children with bipolar disorder frequently have difficulty processing sensory stimulation. Analyze your classroom from the perspective of your student. Sitting by the pencil sharpener or a noisy air conditioner may overly tax this student as he or she tries to process these noises. Overhead lighting should also be examined. If your student is overly stimulated by these bright lights, consider turning a section of lights off and using a dimmer area for this student. Ask your student about things in the classroom that bother him. Making minor adjustments can make a major difference!

Can kids with bipolar disorder also have learning disabilities?

Can a child with bipolar disorder also be gifted?

Where can I get more information?

This essay by Tracy Anglada was originally published on the web and later included in the appendix of two of her books, Intense Minds and Swivel to Success. It shows the school day from the perspective of a student with bipolar disorder and demonstrates how a little understanding and help can go a long way in making a difference for a child.

My School Day without Help

As technology advances we get a glimpse into the workings of the brain which in turn gives an improved understanding of brain disorders. This download shows brain abnormalities which have been associated with childhood onset bipolar disorder. For a more complete discussion of these abnormalities and how they may impact the child, see the book "Swivel to Success"

Brain Abnormalities Associated with Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with Psychiatric Disability is a very useful handbook made available by the New York State Office of Mental Health

Cognitive Dysfunction Handbook

LEVEL OF STABILITY/ FLEXIBILITY IN SCHOOL

Bipolar disorder is an illness that doesn't stand still. The symptoms of the illness can range from severely ill to stable. This chart helps teachers and parents clarify how to best meet the needs of the child during various stages of the illness.

Level of Stability/Flexibility in School

Students with bipolar disorder may have multiple sensory sensitivities. This checklist will help you evaluate your classroom environment and make modifications to address the needs of those who are hyper sensitive to noise, lighting, temperature and odors.

Examine Your Classroom Environment

Accommodations are frequently necessary in the classroom setting for students with bipolar disorder. While these should always be tailored to the individual needs of the student, here are some possible accommodations to help.

ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH MOOD LABILITY

A very useful brochure from schoolbehavior.com about students with "mood lability" which includes those with depression and bipolar disorder.

Accommodating Students with Mood Lability

It can take months to recover from an episode that requires hospitalization. Special considerations must be made when a student is received back to school after a hospital stay. This article by Tracy Trudeau gives insight into this important transition.

A tool to help your students identify moods, express themselves, and learn social and emotional skills in the classroom and beyond. Gain insight into your student through technology and find the support you need.

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Bipolar Disorder in the Classroom A powerful guide that offers hope, encouragement and new perspectives for educators as they tackle tough classroom situations. This book shows the educational impact of the illness and gives educators the tools to help their student find success.

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-Manic Episodes

-Depressive Episodes
-Anger and Rage: *All children can get angry, but with bipolar disorder, children and adolescents tend to feel angry on an intense level. For example, being violent, possibly attacking others or destroying their toys. This rage can last for hours*
-Severe Fluctuations in Mood
-“Flights of Fancy” : meaning children can be overly goofy at unexpected times.
-Family Inheritence: Bipolar Disorder can be genetically passed down in the family
-Changes in school: children may be getting into trouble at school and not focusing on their work.
-Irritability
-Frequent argumentativeness
-Bold/intrusive/demanding behaviors

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The individual who inspired my research topic is Sasha. She is a family member and is 10 years old. Sasha is a social butterfly and does exceptionally well academically. However, Sasha suffers from bipolar disorder in which causes unusual shifts in her moods. Although her episodes are not as frequent at school, they are frequent at home which affects her environment.

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“Sometimes I feel like screaming, and angry and other times I feel happy and excited”

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“Sometimes I feel like screaming, and angry and other times I feel happy and excited”

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A young girl shares her story of what it feels like to have bipolar disorder.

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Sadie's story: the tale of a bipolar child

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Bipolar Disorder Facts & Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

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If you're wondering if you might have Bipolar disorder, you can watch this video, which explains bipolar and it's common symptoms. However, only about 1% of the population is affected, so you shouldn't worry about it too much. Also, If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder the condition is very manageable with the proper treatment.

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Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and the ability to carry out daily tasks. Some doctors believe that children cannot be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, however, according to American Academy of Child and Adolescnet Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and teens with depression in the US may actually be showing and experiencing signs of early onset bipolar disorder. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience unusual intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels. These periods are called episodes.

There are two types of episodes: Manic and Depressive.
In Manic episodes, children may experience: hyperactivity, acting unusually silly or happy, having a short temper irritability, talking with rapid speech, trouble sleeping or needing less sleep, trouble concentrating, engaging in risky behaviors.
In depressive episodes, children may experience: feeling very low or sad, disinterest in playing, complaining about stomachaches and headaches, having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, over or undereating, expressing feelings of guilt or worthlessness (they may continously call themselves bad), thinking about death or suicide and having trouble concentrating.