Saturday, March 1, 2008

Disorders in Emotional Behavior

Infancy is considered to be a free from care time of life. The truth is, however, is that many children and adolescents experience emotional and behavioral difficulties that are real and painful rising up.

Students with emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) often have difficulty integrating into the mainstream education environment

and are frequently placed in exclusionary settings that offer greater behavioral support than general education settings.

Students with EBD are more likely to be placed in restrictive settings than youth with any other disability classification. Emotional Behavior Disorders

Defining EBD or identifying Normal behavior is influenced by various factors:

* Our personal beliefs, standards, and values contribute to our perceptions of others and their behaviors.

* Our tolerance for certain behaviors varies with our standards and values and level of emotional fitness at the time the behaviors are exhibited.

Emotionally and behaviorally disordered children are, by definition, challenged with serious problems to overcome. They include physiological abnormalities (genetically transmitted or acquired), chaotic home environments, and school environments that are often inconsistent. The behavioral repertoires of almost all these children are inadequate to deal effectively with such challenging circumstances. school psychologists, teachers, and others who work with such children are faced with difficult decisions each day. In our research, it has come to Arthur and I that different professionals view EBD in different ways by means of treatment plans which are merely shaped by the professionals training, their experience, and their philosophy about the prognosis of a childs disorder.

Over the years, the Federal government estimated that two percent of the schooled-age population was emotionally disturbed. Only one percent of the school population is actually identified as emotionally disturbed for special education purposes. The federal government estimates that 3-5% of the school age population is emotionally disturbed. One percent of the school population is actually identified with EBD for special education purposes and many students are not receiving services.

Juvenile delinquency and conduct disorder present problems in estimating prevalence. About one-third U.S youths are referred to a juvenile court in any given year. Disabling conditions of various kinds are much more common among juvenile delinquents than among the general population. Viewpoints differ as to whether juvenile delinquent youths should be automatically being considered to have EBD.

If schools are to address the educational problems of delinquent and antisocial children, then the number served by special education must increase dramatically. EBD in children and youths have varied tremendously because there has been no standard, reliable, screening instrument or definition.

Characteristics

Externalizing Behavior: involves striking out against others; aggressive or disruptive behavior that is observable behavior directed toward others.

Internalizing Behavior: involves mental or emotional conflicts, such as depression and anxiety.

Some researchers have found more specific disorders, but all of the more specific disorders can be located on these two primary dimensions.

A child may exhibit several behaviors associated with internalizing problems (e.g., short attention span, poor concentration) and several of those associated with externalizing problems as well (e.g., fighting, disruptive behavior, annoying others)

Comorbidity-the co-occurrence of two or more conditions in the same individual is not unusual. Strong moves have been made in some states and localities to interpret social maladjustment as conduct disorder aggressive, disruptive, antisocial behavior.

The federal government estimates that about one third of children with emotional or behavioral disorders have another disability as well.

Certain characteristics may indicate behavior disorders in relating appropriately to peers, siblings, parents, and teachers. They may also have difficulty responding to academic and social tasks as well. Most children find it difficult to maintain friendships so they seek out others like themselves. They do this because they feel unconnected to other peer groups. They have a hard time with interpersonal relationships, educational progress and life at home.

This emotions and behaviors may be influenced by genetic, neurological, or biochemical factors or by a combination of these.

Very good parents sometimes have children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders, and incompetent, neglectful, or abusive parents sometimes have children with no significant emotional or behavioral disorders. Sensitivity to childrens needs, love-oriented methods of dealing with misbehavior, and positive reinforcement (attention and praise) for appropriate behavior tends to promote desirable behavior in children.

Parents who are generally lax in disciplining their children but are hostile, rejecting, cruel, and inconsistent in dealing with misbehavior are likely to have aggressive, delinquent children. Broken, disorganized homes in which the parents themselves have arrest records or are violent are particularly likely to foster delinquency and lack of social competence.

Educators must be aware that most parents of youngsters with emotional or behavioral disorders want their children to behave more appropriately and will do anything they can to help them. These parents need support resources not blame or criticism for dealing with very difficult family circumstances.

Some children already have emotional or behavioral disorders when they begin school; others develop such disorders during their school years, perhaps in part because of damaging experiences in the classroom itself. children who exhibit disorders when they enter school may become better or worse according to how they are managed in the classroom.

The school can contribute to the development of emotional problems in several rather specific ways. For instance, teachers might be insensitive to childrens individuality, perhaps requiring a mindless conformity to rules and routines.

Educators and parents alike might hold too high or too low expectations for the childs achievement or conduct, and they might communicate to the child who disappoints them that the child is inadequate or undesirable.

Discipline in the school might be too lax, too rigid, or inconsistent. Instruction might be offered in skills for which the child has no real or imagined use.

The school environment might be such that the misbehaving child is rewarded with recognition and special attention (even if that attention is criticism or punishment), whereas the child who behaves properly is ignored.

Finally, teachers and peers might be models of misconduct the child might misbehave by imitating them. Teachers must ask themselves questions about their academic instruction, expectations, and approaches to behavior management.

The patterns of behavior that signal problems for the preschool child are those that bring them into frequent conflict with, or keep them aloof from, their parents or caretakers and their siblings or peers. Many children who are referred to clinics for disruptive behavior when they are seven to twelve years of age showed clear signs of behavior problems by the time they were three or four or even younger.

In summary to early intervention, a behavioral approach implies defining and measuring the childs behaviors and rearranging the environment to teach and support more appropriate conduct. It is possible to identify at an early age those children who are at high risk for emotional or behavioral disorders.

These children exhibit extreme aggression or social withdrawal and may be socially rejected or identify with deviant peers. They should be identified as early as possible, and their parents and teachers should learn how to teach them essential social skills and how to manage their problem behavior using positive, nonviolent procedures.

If children with emotional or behavioral disorders are identified very early and intervention is sufficiently comprehensive, intense, and sustained, then there is a good chance that they can recover and exhibit developmentally normal patterns of behavior.

Nevertheless, research suggests that in practice, early intervention typically does not occur. In fact, intervention does not usually begin until the child has exhibited an extremely disabling pattern of behavior for several years.

If children with emotional or behavioral disorders are identified very early and intervention is sufficiently comprehensive, intense, and sustained, then there is a good chance that they can recover and exhibit developmentally normal patterns of behavior.

Nevertheless, research suggests that in practice, early intervention typically does not occur. In fact, intervention does not usually begin until the child has exhibited an extremely disabling pattern of behavior for several years.

The understanding and support of professionals can have a profound and positive impact. They need effective tools to use, appropriate resources for support, and assurance that they and their child are accepted. Professionals and families must carefully evaluate a childs behaviors. The focus must be on promoting positive behavior and preventing challenging behaviors.

When intervention is needed, such services must be development, individual, and culturally appropriate. Families should be considered as integral participants to all decisions related to the planning and strategies of available services.

Prevention in children may well engage in challenging behavior that quite often can be eliminated by a change in adult behavior. It is possible that the child is reacting to lack of attention from an adult or unrealistic expectation.

By changing adult behavior, we may prevent a childs need to engage in challenging behavior.

Prevention means that the important adults in the childs life have to look at the childs behavior in the classroom, home, or community setting in which these places might be maintaining the childs challenging behavior.

relaxation: calm yourself with music, reading or by practicing specific relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. Diet: low in fat, high in carbohydrates, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Communicate: share your concerns and goals with your loved ones. exercise: exercise on a regular basis to trigger the release of endorphin to enhance your mood and self-esteem.

Some Effective Strategies:

G Systematic, database interventions (interventions that are applied systematically and consistently and that are based on reliable research data, not unsubstantiated theory).

Provision for practice of new skills (skills are not taught in isolation but are applied directly in everyday situations through modeling, rehearsal, and guided practice).

Multi component treatment as many different interventions as are necessary to meet the multiple needs of students (e.g., social skills training, academic remediation, medication, counseling or psychotherapy, and family treatment or parent training)

Programming for transfer and maintenance interventions designed to promote transfer of learning to new situations, recognizing that quick fixes nearly always fail to produce generalized change.

Commitment to sustained intervention interventions designed with the realization that many emotional or behavioral disorders are developmental disabilities and will not be eliminated.

Individualized education plan (IEP) IDEA requires an IEP to be drawn up by the educational team for each exceptional child; the IEP must include a statement of present educational performance, instructional goals, educational services to be provided, and criteria and procedures for determining that the instructional objectives are being met. Treatment matched to the problem (interventions that are designed to meet the needs of individual students and their particular life circumstances, not general formulas that ignore the nature, complexity, and severity of the problem).

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) Evaluation that consists of finding out the consequences (what purpose the behavior serves), antecedents (what triggers the behavior), and setting events (contextual factors) that maintain inappropriate behaviors; this information can help teachers plan educationally for student. Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Systematic use of the science of behavior to find ways of supporting desirable behavior of an individual rather than punishing the undesirable behavior; positive reinforcement (rewarding) procedures that are intended to support a students appropriate or desirable behavior.

Under the law, FBA means that educators attempt to determine and alter factors that account for the students misconduct. Apparently, the intent of the law is to require teachers to assess the students behavior in ways that lead to the selection of effective intervention strategies.

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Replacement Disks For Guitar Hero 3 On The Wii In 2008 - Activision Fixes Mono Bug

After the release of guitar hero 3, consumers started to notice a huge issue with the Wii version of guitar hero 3: Legends of Rock. Gamers began reporting that the sound quality was fixed to mono and there were no options for stereo within the game, preventing many gamers from properly "Rocking Out". Now that Activision is aware of the issues, which probably had something to do with the thousands of angry fans sending hate mail, they are currently working on fixing the problem.

The bad news is for whatever reason they can't fix this with a patch, but the good news is they have announced that they will be running a program which will offer free replacement discs for the Wii starting in 2008. Nice!

Rhy-Ming Poon, a spokeswoman from Activision: "We recently became aware that some consumers have not been able to enjoy the full audio output in the nintendo Wii version of guitar hero III: Legends of Rock. We're currently working with nintendo and are planning to issue an improved audio experience in the game's future versions. We expect to have remastered discs available by early 2008 and will be offering consumers replacement discs at no cost when they become available".

While it's surprising to me that such a high profile game, based completely around good sounding music, could go out the door and have a feature like this over-looked. At least in the end, Activision has decided to do the right thing; step up, admit their mistake and replace everyones disks at no cost! So make sure if you have guitar hero 3: Legends of Rock for Wii that you get your replacement disks when Activisions replacement disk program starts in 2008.

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The WiFi Blues

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love has it. Many in San Francisco want it...

Wireless broadband Internet access (wifi) seems too good to be true. At relatively low cost, anyone can get on the Internet anywhere in a city. All the city needs to do is install wifi antennas.

An argument in favor of citywide wifi is that it will reduce the digital divide: the poorer you are, the more limited your access to the Internet and its information resources. Cities like Philadelphia and San Francisco are actively trying to close the digital divide. One option is wifi.

Yet in weighing the options, virtually nothing is heard about the potential health risks. Saturating an entire city with wifi adds to the existing burden of nonionizing radiation. That burden, called electrosmog by some, consists of long-term exposure to low-level concentrations of nonionizing radiation from familiar sources like radio and TV signals, electronic and electrical devices, and the ubiquitous cell phone.

Wireless Internet Access

Local area networks (LANs) link computers, printers, modems, and other devices. Traditional LANs make the links physically using wire cable. Messages between computers and the other devices on the network are managed by a device called a router.

A wireless LAN does away with the wire cable by using a router that transmits and receives radio signals. To use a wired LAN, you have to plug the computer or other device into a wall socket. A wire leads from the socket to the router, which manages signal traffic between the devices on the network.

With a wireless LAN, each device on the network is built so that it can send a signal to the router and receive signals back. Wireless routers typically have a range of a hundred to several hundred feet. The range can be increased by adding a booster that increases the signal strength.

As with all radio signals, the closer you are to the transmitter (the router) the stronger the signal. Cell phones work on the same principle. The difference is that cell phones work at a different frequency and put out a stronger signal than wireless LANs.

Radio Frequencies

Cell phones operate at frequencies in the 3 to 30 GHz range, similar to microwave ovens. Wireless LANs operate at one tenth of that range0.3 to 3 GHz, the range of UHF television broadcasts. GHz stands for gigaHertz, a standard measure of radio frequency radiation (RFR)electromagnetic radiation created by sending an alternating electrical current through an antenna. The higher the GHz, the faster the current alternates.

frequency by itself does not measure the potential effect of RFR. As you would guess, the strength of the signal also matters. The strength of a signal is measured in watts, a standard measure of electrical energy. For example, a 100 watt light bulb is brighter because it puts out more energy than a 60 watt bulb.

Think of the effect of waves at the beach: small waves far apart (low strength, low frequency) versus large wave close together (high strength, high frequency). The former is likely to have less of an effect than the latter.

The exposure to RFR is measured using SARspecific absorption rate. SAR is expressed either in milliwatts/kilogram (mW/kg) of body weight or milliwatts/cubic centimeter (mW/cm2) of exposed body area: the size of the wave and how much of your body it strikes.

Health Risks

wifi enthusiasts dismiss health risk concerns because the power output and SAR exposure is significantly below the minimum standard set for cell phones. But cell phone standards are set for the short term exposure of a cell phone in use pressed to your head. In addition, the standards are set based on the thermal (heating) effect of the radiation.

Nonthermal effects of cell phones are documented at exposures below the current US standards, including

- memory loss,
- sleep disruption,
- slowed motor skills and reaction time,
- decreased immune function,
- spatial disorientation and dizziness,
- headaches,
- lowered sperm count,
- increased blood pressure and pulse,
- DNA breakage and reduced DNA repair capacity, and
- cell proliferation.

A second problem is that cell phone exposure is intermittent, whereas wifi exposure is constant. A more accurate comparison is to the effect of cell phone broadcast antennas. These antennas send and receive radio frequency signals constantly.

The signal strength from an antenna is comparable to a cell phone only at very close range. The exposure is not a cell phones brief blast but a persistent bath of low- strength RFR. In addition to the health effects documented for cell phone use, exposure to cell phone antennas include

- increased blood pressure and pulse,
- sleep disruption,
- emotional effects such as increased depression and irritability,
- memory loss and mental fog,
- fatique and vertigo, and
- increased cancer risk.

Because of these effects, the International Association of Fire Fighters (AFL-CIO) decided in 2004 that they will not permit cell phone antennas on fire houses.

RFR Hypersensitivity

much of the discussion of RFR health effects is framed as a concern with people who are hypersensitive. Hypersensitivity is the technical term for allergies and similar immune system overreactions. But instead of pollen, RFR hypersensitivity is a reaction to nonionizing radiation. It seems that an unlucky few are affected while the rest of us are off the hook.

Research by Olle Johansson and rjan Halberg of the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm suggests otherwise. They looked at the incidence of cancer in Europe and the US and found a striking association between the increase in certain cancers during the 20th Century and exposure RFR as measured by radio and TV broadcasts.

What the hypersensitive really represent is one extreme in a complex landscape of effects and risks. Just like any other environmental stressor, RFR will affect some people more than others. And as with other environmental stressors, the greater the overall burden, the greater the risk of becoming one of the the unlucky few.

Wireless LANs add to the existing burden of RFR. Just as burning more fossil fuels adds more smog, adding more RFR adds more electrosmog. You dont have to expose your home or your city to the increased burden created by wifi. Theres a viable alternative: a wired LAN. The hype might make it seem less convenient and more expensive. But whats a good nights sleep worth? Or reducing your risk of cancer?

Resources

International Association of Fire Fighters. 2004. Position on the Health Effects from Radio Frequency/Microwave (RF/MW) Radiation in Fire Department facilities from base Stations for Antennas and Towers for the Conduction of Cell Phone Transmissions. Access at http://www.iaff.org/safe/content/celltower/ celltowerfinal.htm.

Johansson, Olle and Doug Loranger. 2005. Electrosmog. Your Own Health And Fitness. Broadcast November 29, 2005. http://yourownhealthandfitness.org/ radiation.html.

Sage, Cindy. 2005. Comment on San Francisco TechConnect Community Wireless broadband Initiative. Sage Associates: September 2005.

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Home Security Cameras Make Your Home More Secure

Imagine returning home to find that your home has been vandalized or broken into. It is a scary feeling to know someone has been in your home. The loss of your valuables is not as devastating as the fact that you feel violated. Most of the time suspects in such incidents are not apprehended.

You can help protect your home from being their next target by installing a home security camera. Should someone approach your home there will be some evidence to help find those responsible for it as well.

Home security cameras have become much more affordable over the past several years so if you like the idea but you dont want the expense you will be very surprised to find out how affordable they are. You have the option of having the home security camera set up by a professional or you can get one that you install on your own. If you have a very large home you may want to place several of them in different areas. This will help you cover all the angles of your home.

Home security cameras can be wireless so that they can be placed anywhere. You can also go with the traditional wire models and save more money in doing so. The majority of home security cameras are motion activated so they wont be filming unless there is activity taking place. You may discover which neighborhood dog is treating themselves to your garbage in the middle of the night as well with your home security camera.

There are many different ways to set up the feed for your home security camera. Many of them allow you to access the information from your computer. You can see what is taking place at any given time. This works very well if you have your home security camera set up with an alarm that contacts you when it is activated. Others require you to review tapes of the material that have been recorded on it from each home security camera.

The debate remains over whether a home security camera should be placed out into the open or hidden. There are pros and cons to both methods. If the security cameras are hidden then it is possible a criminal will still try to access your home or vandalize your property. The information of the activities taking place will be recorded without their knowledge and hopefully allows law enforcement to prosecute them.

On the other hand a home security camera that is in the open can be a very strong deterrent. Criminals often look for the homes they can access without attracting any attention. You also run the risk of the criminal being determined to get into your home so they destroy the home security camera. It is possible to have one in the open and one in hiding so that you are able to deter them as well as record them if they do decide to act anyway.

Emily Brooks is a full time interior designer in florida. check out these great Home Security resources and articles or the more general Home Gardens Advice advice.

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The Top 10 Steps to DeStress

Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your co-workers and/or boss make you crazy? Is your personal life less than blissful? If so, you've got stress. If you're like most people you've sought refuge from this situation by trying a quick fix or two like calling a friend, walking the dog, or going away for the weekend in an attempt to escape it all. While these strategies may serve as temporary diversions, nothing in your life changes when you return to your routine.

stress is internal, which explains why it can wreak havoc on your health. It feels awful...it's the sense that you're not in control. The easiest way to mitigate its effect is to take charge of the one and only thing you have the power to control...YOU, and let go of what you can't control. The beauty of this recipe is that by taking control of your life, external or outside things will change in response to your internal changes. Here are 10 steps to destress for your present and future:

1. Heal yourself.

Dr. Bruce McEwen, who wrote The End of stress As We Know It, suggests that eliminating stress comes right from your grandmother's journal. He says the most effective steps you can take are the simplest: exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep, moderate to minimal alcohol intake, and no smoking. This, he notes, is the most sophisticated, up to the minute, cutting edge science available!

2. Get organized.

Physical clutter reminds us of things that need to be done and that's stressful. Remove your physical clutter and you'll eradicate your mental clutter, plus you'll feel energized. Please go to http://topten.org/public/AG/AG306.html for a simple organizing solution that will work on any space.

3. Set boundaries.

Boundaries act as a filter to keep you safe from the hurtful behavior of others while allowing in the love, support and nurturing actions we all need. Set your boundaries by: (a) determining what others cannot do to you or in your presence and (b) sharing this information respectfully with anyone who is stepping over one of your boundaries.

4. Take time for yourself.

Put together a list of all the things you love to do but haven't regularly made time to do. Put your list in priority order and enter the top five to seven items into your daily calendar. Your list may include things as simple as journaling, reading a great book, taking a bubble bath, yoga, etc. You'll be more successful getting to these activities when you give them a time and place on your calendar.

5. Be positive.

William James, the father of modern psychology said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." In other words, what you say and what you tell yourself impact the present and create your future. love yourself and use the power of positive words, pleasing thoughts and affirming beliefs to live the life you want to live.

6. work in a career you love.

If you're like most people, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work. You'll know you're in the right profession when: you wake up anxious to go to work, you want to do your best daily, and you know your work is important.

7. Surround yourself with a supportive community.

You are who you spend time with. Hang out with people who love and accept you just the way you are, are interested in you (not what you can do for them), lift you up (not wear you down), solve problems quickly, don't gossip or complain, and know how to have fun. Anything is possible with the right support.

8. learn to say, "No."

We've all been influenced by people in our life who tell us we should do this or we ought to do that. As a result, we may end up living a life that others have decided for us versus living the life we want. So, the next time you think of something you ought to do or someone else suggests you should do, take a breath and ask yourself if it's something you want to do. If not, just say, "no" or "no thank you." When you say no to things you don't care to do, you are saying yes to you and this will free up your time and energy for the things you choose to do. Bottom line - you'll be happier.

9. Zap tolerations.

A toleration is something that irritates you and drains your energy because it needs to be done, fixed, removed, or changed. If you're like most people you may be tolerating 100 or more things! Put together a list of all the things that bug you, e.g. a dripping faucet, money concerns, your weight, shopping and running errands, not enough time, computer files out of control, your hair, a room that needs to be painted, etc. When your list is complete, group like items and see if one solution will eliminate multiple tolerations. For example, if you have piles of clothing in each bedroom, dirty windows and dust bunnies on your floor, hiring a housekeeper will zap all three tolerations. Line up a housekeeper, today. Then, commit to spending a chunk of time each week to zap your other tolerations. If you have a toleration that you don't have the skill or know-how to fix, consider calling an expert or seek out a skilled professional to trade services with.

10. Get your needs met.

A "need" is not an option, it is something you must have to function fully. It is differentiated from a "want" in that a want is optional. Unmet needs can drive you to distraction and worse. Determine what needs you have that aren't being met, if any, and then take the appropriate action to get them fulfilled. example: If you've taken a big hit and are going through a career transition, ask a good friend to call you two or three times a week to check in with you and give you support. Other options include calling your own voice mail and leaving supportive messages or hiring a coach who specializes in career transitions. When you acknowledge and satisfy your needs, you will be free to focus on other areas of your life.

If you want to be happier and more successful, focus on the things you have the power to control.

Pam N. Woods is co-author of a bestselling book, Create the Business Breakthrough You Want: secrets and Strategies from the World's Greatest Mentors; endorsed by Ken Blanchard and Dr. stephen Covey. She is a Coach U graduate and President of Smart WorkLife Solutions, a coaching and consulting company devoted to co-creating customized solutions to fit clients business and personal organizing needs. Prior to founding her own firm she had a successful 20+ year career as an insurance executive and Vice President of Human resources. For more free how-to articles and advice, or to contact Woods, visit http://www.worklifecoach.com. Copyright 2004 - Pam Woods

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