How to Assist Bipolar Children in Education

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness as known as manic-depression treatable illness. The illness causes extreme changes in the mood, energy levels, and behavior. The symptoms may be present from infancy, or early childhood. The manic episode can vary and last for several minutes to several weeks.

For children they can experience manic episodes which may include feelings of extreme happiness and act silly. They can also experience a shortness in temper. Talk very fast about a long range of things. Trouble with sleeping and not feeling tired along with trouble staying focused. Along with doing risky things and other dangerous behavior.

To help with teaching a child with bipolar disorder:

Difficulty:: Moderate

Instructions

- 1
  
  Be patient with the child while teaching them as it takes them time absorb material.
- 2
  
  Encourage the child to be open about themselves and listen to them carefuilly.
- 3
  
  Understand the different types of bipolar disorders such as Bipolar I which consists primarily of mood swings, mania episodes and depression. Bipolar II included hypomania along with depression. Rapid cycling has more than four episodes per week which is cycling through all of the symptoms.
- 4
  
  Meet with the parents and the child's to determine the child's educational needs in order to help them better and progress in their education.
- 5
  
  Use flexibility to help them to adapt to the curriculum and assignments.
- 6
  
  Being patient includes ignoring the negative behaviors and focus on encouraging the child with positive behavior. Remaining calm will help the child to adopt this type of behavior instead of negative behavior.
- 7
  
  Instill good skills in conflict management to help resolve conflict in a non-confrontational, non-combative, and safe manner.
- 8
  
  Be receptive to any chance that may occur while working the student's parents, therapists, and doctors in order to meet the needs of the child.
- 9
  
  Must be able to laugh at one's own mistakes, as this helps to promote laughter, humor, fun moments into the classroom. This also reduces the tension between the student, teacher and other students in the classroom.

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011