What support would you feel a 4yr old with Pervasive Developmental Disorder would need?

Question

What support would you feel a 4yr old with Pervasive Developmental Disorder would need?

Answer 1

Probably depends on how delayed he is.  Is this a mainstream classroom?  Plenty of opportunities to interact socially with his peers are very important.  Give him support in this area.  He may not understand how to introduce himself into play.  Help him with words.  "Oh, you want to play with the blocks too?  Let's ask.  Boys, Johnny wants to play too.  Can he be the truck driver?"  Encourage him more and more to come up with his own words.  "I'll go with you.  You ask if you can play!"  Encourage the other children to play with him without singling him out.  "You know boys, you are such good friends!  I love the way you include everybody in your games!"

He make not pick up concepts as quickly as the other children but that's ok.  Remember that he is learning at his own level.  Maybe your learning objective is for the children to recognize more alphabet letters by cutting them out and talking about what letters they have, but it's ok if his goal is just to be able to use the scissors and maybe recognize just the letter his name starts with.  Treat him pretty much the same as the other children, just keep his needs in mind.  To a large extent, children will live up to your expectations of them, so expect him to grow and learn, and he will do just that!

Adult staff members need to know what this child's needs are and what the teacher's goal is for him at this time.  This information is confidential however and should  not be shared too widely.  For instance, if someone else's mom is volunteering in the room today, she doesn't need to be informed of his needs.

Answer 2

Each individual is different. They may act the same or have the same symptoms, but each one would have a different type of support or treatment. The parent(s) of the 4yr old should know better than anyone of what kind support the child needs...what would work best with the child. If the the child has started therapy/counseling they may be able to offer ideas on how to support the child. Parents in area support groups may also offer a range of ideas that have worked with  their child. Some universities offer support programs for parents as well as the child at no cost. Most will come to your house if needed. They can help you learn how to deal with the child in many different situations to make it a more positive experience for both the child/parents and other family members. Usually states offer some type of support programs for childern and parent with behavioral issues.

Answer 3

I assume this is a child in a preschool classroom. He will probably need support from adults learning to interact with other kids. If you see him watching the kids playing at the water table ask if he wants to go there. He may not tell you verbally-look carefully at his facial expression. Take him over, introduce him to the others, and stay with him for a while. He may do best with just one or 2 kids.

Be aware that he may be upset at the normal chaos in a preschool classroom. Don't force him to participate and if he gets really upset at the noise and activity get an adult to take him out for a while. This is not a punishment. It should be along the lines of "Come on, you can be my helper and we'll take these papers to the office."

   Some PDD kids are not happy if anyone gets physically close or touches them. The other kids will understand that "Joey doesn't like it if you touch him. You can be his friend by talking to him and sharing your toys."

    Depsite the name of the disorder PDD kids can be quite bright. I had a 2 and a 1/2 year old boy with PDD in my day care program who taught himself all the letters from watching Wheel of Fortune. He developed into an excellent reader in elementary school. The child in your classroom will learn, even though he may be unable to comminicate to you what he knows. Offer him the same opportunities you give the other kids but do not force him to participate. Work closely with the therapists assigned to him. They will have lots of good advice to offer.

Answer 4

love and care with much patient

Answer 5

- Make sure directions are given step-by-step, verbally, and visually, and by providing physical supports or prompts, as needed by the child, such as picture exchange systems to aid communication.

- Children with PDD oten have trouble interpreting facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. So it is important to be as concrete and explicit as possible in your instructions and feedback to the child.

- Find out what the child’s strengths and interests are and emphasise them. Use these strenghts to create opportunities for success. Give positive feedback and lots of opportunities for practice.

- Build opportunities for the child to have social interactions throughout the regular school day. Provide support, structure, and lots of feedback.

- If behaviour is a significant issue for the child, seek help from expert professional resources (including parents) to understand the meanings of the behaviours and to develop a unified, positive approach to resolving them.

- Have consistent routines and schedules. When you know a change in routine will occur (e.g. an outing or assembly) prepare the child by telling him/her what is going to be different and what to expect or do. Reward the child for each small success.

- Work together in partnership with the child’s parents and other personnel in the setting to create and implement an individual educational plan tailored to meet the child’s needs and regularly share information about how the child is doing at school and at home.