#spedchat Archive
#spedchat is a Twitter hashtag used for (1) daily, continuous research and resource sharing on issues related to and effecting students with disabilities, & (2) a scheduled weekly Twitter chat on Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00 EST.
Tuesday October 18, 2016
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
Welcome to - Introduce yourself, tell where you are from, & what you do. Don't forget to use the hashtag for each tweet.
hang in there. I'm a veteran of the DVT wars ! Glad you're feeling better
I’m Danielle - SPED Coordinator from Indianapolis. Happy to be with you all for while is fall breaking!
Howdy! I'm Kevin from Navasota, Texas, elementary resource teacher.
Angie Boone sped middle school sped teacher from Cheney, KS
Hello from Mexico, ! Tonya here just giving a big SHOUT OUT to you all and a big THANKS to for moderating! Have fun!
Tonight's will discuss mental health issues and strategies. Looking forward to great discussions.
Just trying to make us all jealous, right?! ;) Hope you're having fun!
Stick around for next on Mental Health Issues and Strategies!
Jennifer 5-8 sped teacher Ness City..tonight I'm working concessions for volleyball so hope not to miss too much
Thanks Stay tuned in for now!
See y'all next week! Join starting now!
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
We will post questions as Q1, Q2, etc.. Please tweet your response with A1, A2, etc. Don't forget to add to each tweet!
Howdy all Eric HS SPED in NJ
Multi-tasking at its finest! Welcome to !
Q1: Do you have the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with students who have a mental illness?
Nicole, elem special ed, WV, looking forward to learning with tonight's topic!
Joining as a Special Ed. student from Grove City College in PA!
A1: I'm not sure anyone does, but I have the desire and passion to do what I can to make school a positive experience for them.
Happy to be part of a discussion about metal health - I'm a former sped teacher and current team chair
NAILED IT. My thoughts exactly!
A1: As a freshman, I don't have all the tools yet but I am very excited to learn!
HI Kelli from Indiana, SpEd T specializing in ASD, Aspergers, ED, SLD
A1: Mental health is schools is an area I strive to improve in but feel that I learn more and more each year.
A1) I didn't start my sped career with skills but spend many hours dealing with mental health issues so have developed skills.
Yay! Welcome! Happy to see you here!
Exactly how I felt. Would be awesome if more training happened at the university level if you ask me!
A1really depends on the individual Ss & the particular case. Justas important to "know what I don't know" & use supports
Q2: What are some warning signs you’ve seen indicating that your students may be suffering from a mental health illness?
A1: Tough 1, even if u think u do u don't w variables in a moment I'd love 2 say I had ninja skills to work on the fly effectively
Christy Beneke from Jefferson City Mo - how I didn't miss much
Hello all! Jenny from Indiana. Spced, high ability, and ELL director.
You didn't miss much at all! Welcome!
Half the battle! Ur ahead of the game!
A2: Tough Qs tonight. :) The warning signs I see most often are anger and/or isolation/withdrawal.
Hi ! How's your year treating you?!?
A1:Definitely don't fell prepared with the myriad of diagnoses that seem to be coming into the school
A2: Ss can appear withdrawn, lack of peer interaction, self-harm, serious change in Bx...I've seen all of those.
A2 sudden change in personality, extreme mood swings, but of course that can be symptomatic of so many things
A1: NO! But, I have lots of resources and I'm learning more every day. Seems like more and more S's have a diagnosis before K now
Exactly. Your "know what you don't know" theory is so helpful here. https://t.co/l96e4dFXZt
A2 sudden change in personality, extreme mood swings, but of course that can be symptomatic of so many things
yes we have to be vigilant t so many things with our Ss, https://t.co/AtCTZpNG3V
A2: Ss can appear withdrawn, lack of peer interaction, self-harm, serious change in Bx...I've seen all of those.
A2: If a student is withdrawn and/or has Increased sensitivity
Q3: What behaviors most often cause you to refer a student to a mental health professional?
A2: I worry most about thenSs who withdraw, way to easy for teachers to miss
A2: I feel that many times its missed & JUST the behaviors get dealt w & NOT the core of the behavior which could be mental health
A3, acting out in class/becoming extremely withdrawn, not taking part in prefered activities
A3: So often I see the more "extreme" Bx's getting referrals and not the smaller things like anxiety, acting out, withdrawal
A3: Typicaly when they become unreasonable, a significant lack of effort or concern, or when there's potential harm-self or others
A2 - Its hard to tell with teens. Sometimes it can been peer issue they are trying to deal with, or personal issues
A2:
Aggression, melt downs, withdrawal, even suicidal ideation at a very young age.
A3) depression, mood swings, threats on self or others,
A3: most frequent are aggression and suicidal ideation; we can't wait
YES! Exactly. It's important to remind ourselves to pay attention to things like this. https://t.co/GkcCaKSZKP
A2: I worry most about thenSs who withdraw, way to easy for teachers to miss
A3: If a student is withdrawn, they aren't putting forth effort, and they have mood swings that disrupt the class.
Q4: Does your school have a policy surrounding mental health for students? What is it?
A4: I work with adult students, so many self-elect into programs as long as we make them aware of them
A3: Violent behavior is typically a start of the mental health professional conversation
A4: Unfortunately, we do not. We are a small district. We do have access to a school psychologist for support/resource
A4: we have MOUs with several providers and allow them to meet with the child at school for counseling and behavioral therapy
I'm so glad u said that. Can't and DONT wait
A4: I know that my college has a policy but I don't know it. I will learn more about it when I take a Special Ed. Class here.
This is great. An open door policy for wrap-around services can be so helpful! https://t.co/1PPtRAlRXj
A4: we have MOUs with several providers and allow them to meet with the child at school for counseling and behavioral therapy
Awesome! Jed Foundation is an awesome resource for the collegiate level if you ever want more info! https://t.co/czALOVTNBz
A4: I know that my college has a policy but I don't know it. I will learn more about it when I take a Special Ed. Class here.
Yes since we are small and have high poverty it is imperative we work collaboratively.
Q5: What PD have you received surrounding mental health as it impacts your students? What PD do you want?
A3:'anxiety and withdrawal would be things that I would share with counselor and social worker
A4) Several already have providers they work w. We do have mental health providers who see patients a school. Not set up by us
A5: Though it's not specific for mental health issues, CPI training is definitely relevant. Wish I knew what else was available.
A5) none! I would take any that is suggested!
I see this often as well. Seems like there is often a gap on getting Ss connected from the school side
A5: My district offers Mental Health First Aid training - HIGHLY recommend!
A5 really not alot we should have more
A5: is SUPER DUPER helpful as well!
A5: CPI training for deescalation techniques and the use of therapeutic rapport after an incident. Need more on locus of control
A5: I have designed PD for my staff and network surrounding mental health in the classroom - DM your email if you want the PPT!
A4: don't have a specific policy, asma small school, it is difficult for changes in behavior to go unnoticed
That's definitely helpful in its own right!
A5 pt 2) I guess we do have de-escalation training and MANDT
Q6: Cultural differences can have a direct impact on mental health. How does your school tackle that?
A5: would love to have music, art, and equine therapy training in my perfect world.
A6: I would have to say it's tackled individually...with an emphasis on educating all parties with appropriate information.
A5 with the rise of mental health issues in schools now I wish we had more training and support than we do for our Ss
Yes! I used to volunteer for therapeutic horseback riding and it was therapy for me as well! :)
A6: Overall awareness of different cultures helps. Ask Ss how to best help them. Work on breaking stigmas always.
Same at our school, wish we had more local services.
Q6: I am very excited to learn how my future school will handle cultural differences impacting mental health.
A6: There is a culture where the behaviors of some of our students are actually survival skills in their home environment...
A5: we had a suicide awareness pd at the beginning of school, but I know we need more!
Q7: What have you done lately to relieve stress and focus on your own mental health to ensure you remain an effective teacher?
"I had no idea a classroom pet would make this kind of difference in a room of intermediate students.” … https://t.co/bqTSyInW43
A7: The best thing is to make an effort to leave school at school and not bring it home. Tough, but necessary. Play PokemonGo.
A7: Run, spend time with family and friends, cheer for the (AKA hold my breath a lot)
A7) I try to get a monthly massage https://t.co/d41ocTkK28
Q7: What have you done lately to relieve stress and focus on your own mental health to ensure you remain an effective teacher?
A7: I have days I can just exercise, read, or sing. Other days I have a Margarita and shoe shop!
Leaving school at school is often the hardest thing for a teacher to do. But you're right about the importance!
A7: been doodling and journaling, it has been sooooo much fun!
Do you have a bullet journal?? Talk about a game changer.
Q7: I practice yoga or meditate everyday. Helps clear my mind and remember to breathe. I share techniques w my Ss in class too
A7 trying to leave school at school and have a 4yr old who doesn't care about my day just wants his favorite parent to play
Q8: What do you feel you need the most help with regarding mental health in your school?
Definitely search it on Pinterest. It's a new obsession.
A8: I am always looking for ideas of ways to break the stigma of mental illness
A8: knowing what services are available and how to approach parents with mh concerns
A8: Not enough access to child psychiatry when needed. This is a real crisis everywhere.
A8: What I need most? No judgment from staff not involved with the Ss; understanding from all that it's not an easy fix.
I try not to bring work home but if I do I don't bring my charger so I'll work effectively not all night https://t.co/CLWV80qghF
A7: The best thing is to make an effort to leave school at school and not bring it home. Tough, but necessary. Play PokemonGo.
Oh yes. That's big. Overall awareness for the staff is crucial. https://t.co/aAtcYnjwqP
A8: What I need most? No judgment from staff not involved with the Ss; understanding from all that it's not an easy fix.
Tweet of the evening! https://t.co/n16kYxxtLk
A8: I am always looking for ideas of ways to break the stigma of mental illness
Q9: Let’s share some mental health and anxiety resources. Where do you go for help? Websites? Books?
A9: Here's a great resource for educators and/or parents and includes resources in Spanish: https://t.co/CSjFr4xAbh
A9: I've got nothing. Can't wait to see what other people recommend.
A9: I follow which tweets out resources, ideas, and articles. Highly suggest it!
Q10: What questions would you ask mental health professionals regarding ways to help students if you could?
A10: I personally would love to know more about making wraparound services more streamlined for our Ss.
A10: I would want to make certain that how I work with Ss with mental health issues, is not "undoing" or harming their treatment.
A10: what are the most important supports for the kiddo to be successful
Interesting thought. Seems like there needs to be a more thoughtful school/mental health professional connection.
A10: how can we work more collaboratively between home and school to empower parents who may also have mental health issues?
And what can we do, if anything, to help the parent receive necessary services.
Do you currently have a school-based therapist that your students work with?
Time to wrap up tonight! Thanks for the great dialogue & collaboration. Continue to use the hashtag as you finish your chats.
A10 help them be successful people in the school environment
thanks so much for the chat, important topic
Thanks so much for participating! It's clear that there is much to be done. Talking about it is the first step!
Thanks for another great chat! Def some tough questions but it made me think!
Let me know what you think! And send things my way if you find anything good!
Thanks so much for joining us!
will be back from sunny Mexico for the next , Tuesday at 9:00 pm EST
Exactly. Goes back to the stigma thing. Such a pervasive issue. More people are talking about it now. Thankfully.
