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Disability Behaviors

This article discusses the challenges faced in transporting children with disabilities and provides strategies for addressing these challenges. Topics covered include attention deficit disorder, autism, hearing and visual impairments, emotional disturbance, mental retardation, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, orthopedic impairment, and medically fragile conditions.

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Disability Behaviors

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  1. Disability Behaviors Kathleen Furneaux Director of Operations Pupil Transportation Safety Institute Syracuse, New York

  2. Today we will look at… • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) • Autism • Hearing and Visual Impairments • Emotional Disturbance • Mental Retardation • Specific Learning Disabilities • Speech or Language Impairment • Orthopedic Impairment • Medically Fragile

  3. “I got on the school bus by mistake!!”

  4. Section 1310.22 Children with disabilities… (c) Each agency must specify any special transportation requirements for a child with a disability when preparing the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), and ensure that in all cases special transportation requirements in a child’s IEP or IFSP are followed, including: • Special pick-up & drop-off requirements • Special seating requirements • Special equipment needs • Any special assistance that may be required; and • Any special training for bus drivers and monitors

  5. ADD & ADHDChallenges … • Inability to stay seated. • Difficulty following directions for a long period of time. • Dangerous behavior loading/unloading. • Stimulating other students. • Medication timing. • Noise levels. • No visual cues.

  6. Strategies…… • Clear simple directions. • Repetition and consistency. • Physically separate challenging children. • Assign seating. • Use activities or distractions. • Document and report trends in worsening behavior.

  7. AutismChallenges… • Obsessive repetitive activities. • Self-abuse. • Possible outbursts - fears. • Intellectual & behavioral discrepancies. • Communication difficulties. • Hyperactive/lethargic.

  8. Strategies…… • Ignore behaviors that are not safety related. • Give clear simple directions. • Quiet, firm,gentle voice. • Choices are difficult. • Holding objects help. • Storyboards can alleviate fears. • Avoid change. • Well thought out evacuation plans.

  9. Hearing & VisualChallenges… • 3 conditions. • Communication is difficult. • Become disoriented easily. • Effective student management essential. • High noise levels.

  10. Strategies…… • Consistent seating, communication and student management. • Assess levels of assistance needed individually. • Learn their “language” choice –use touch. • Respect “Deaf Culture”. • Avoid changes.

  11. Emotional DisturbanceChallenges… • Failure to stay seated. • Name calling & cursing. • Hitting & fighting. • Spitting. • Screaming. • Threats & harassment. • Inappropriate exiting.

  12. Strategies…… • Don’t take it personal. • Learn their interests, names. • Positive, professional attitude. • Don’t threaten or intimidate. • Give them responsibilities. • Clearly communicate key rules and consequences – enforce consistently and fairly. • Learn non-verbal cues. • Defuse early. • Structured daily routine.

  13. Mental RetardationChallenges… • Varying function levels. • Move frequently. • Negative physical or verbal contact. • Triggers exist. • Inappropriate demonstrations of affection.

  14. Strategies…… • Consistency and routines are crucial. • Avoid change. • Interact with sincere caring approaches. • Short simple directions with good voice control. • Expectations match function levels. • Attention to trends – identify triggers. • Work as a team.

  15. Learning DisabilityChallenges… • Difficulty following directions. • Look “normal”. • Using language is problematic. • Make choices to be “bad” instead of “unable”.

  16. Strategies…… • Establish trusting, respectful relationships. • Intervene early with sensitivity. • Give clear, simple directions. • Have patience with respect to oral directions. • Be discrete when possible.

  17. Speech/LanguageChallenges… • Communication can be difficult. • Frustrations rise with lack of understanding. • Usually young due to early intervention.

  18. Strategies…… • Targets of harassment – intervene. • Learn unique language patterns. • Use their communication techniques. • Be aware of processing difficulties. • Strong ties to hearing impairments.

  19. OrthopedicChallenges… • Specialized seating. • Physical assistance. • Adaptive equipment. • Varying levels of abilities. • Securement systems complicated. • Evacuation difficulties. • Victims of peer envy & sympathy.

  20. Strategies…… • Establish good relationships. • Avoid pity, sympathy and over compensating. • Training in securement. • Consult team members. • Ask questions until satisfied with the answer.

  21. Medically FragileChallenges… • Health problems are potentially life threatening. • Often dependent on medical equipment. • Sometimes requires additional staff on the bus. • Specialized training often required. • Do Not Resuscitate Orders, “DNR”.

  22. Strategies…… • Provide 1:1 staff when necessary. • Monitor closely during bus ride. • Detailed emergency plans. • Provide staff with training. • Develop strong communication lines. • Develop Board policy regarding “DNRs”. • Create staff support systems. • Monitor stress levels in staff consistently.

  23. Pupil Transportation Safety Institute Syracuse, New York 800-836-2210

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