Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

Look Again: Making Friends With Sensory Processing Disorder, Lauren Binder

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper explores the impact of sensory processing differences on the development of young children’s peer relationships in early childhood. Current children’s literature on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is limited in addressing the ways in which SPD intersects with social interaction among students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers. By exploring social scenarios grounded in the lived experiences of one child with SPD, I aim to broaden what counts as acceptable approaches to connection and interaction among young children. I use the social model of disability, the tenets of the neurodiversity movement, and the guiding principles of Disability Critical Race …

A New Approach To Mindfulness With Teachers, Melanie Flaxer

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This thesis explores the topic of implementing mindfulness programs with teachers in school settings. It begins by exploring the history of how mindfulness has been implemented with students as well as with teachers, revealing the problematic nature of the “mindfulness fad” that has entered into public schools across the country in the past ten years. It also analyzes more recent programs that have begun implementing mindfulness in schools in more productive and responsible ways. The paper then gives a narrative account of a non-traditional mindfulness group that offers an alternative method for training teachers in mindfulness. The group facilitator conducted …

Adult Adhd: An Explorative Inquiry Into Assessment, Executive Function, Qol, Comorbid Psychopathy, And Practical Application, Manuel Angel Ramirez

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a pattern of behavior present in multiple settings that can result in performance issues in social, educational and work settings. Although ADHD is prevalent in children, research has proven that the disorder lasts into adulthood. The current body of literature has also suggested that ADHD symptoms are related to specific impairments with executive functions. This paper will introduce ADHD and provide background information on the disorder. It will also examine current literature on assessment, executive function (EF), feasibility of EF measures, quality of life (QoL) as it pertains to …

Nekkid: Examining Disability, Identity, And Clothing In Adolescence, Megan Vaughn

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper is an exploration into the connections between disability, identity, and clothing. The result is a guide for young apparel designers that give practical applications within apparel design through considerations in pattern configuration, textiles, and trims to better meet the needs of consumers with spinal cord injuries that use wheelchairs.

How We Understand Intelligence And Why It Makes A Difference : A Literature Review, Maya Golden

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Investigates theories of intelligence and examines the educational implications of contrasting views. Following a personal reflection on the subject, the author conducts an extensive review of the related literature. The author indicates that the quality of a student's educational experience is greatly impacted by the view to which his or her teacher subscribes.

Childhood Mental Illness: Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder, Vicki Wolffe

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Many children are inflicted with psychosis. The following essay is an investigation of the characteristics of mental illness as it appears in youths. Studies have been conducted as to what mental illness looks like in children. Various treatment options are described. The body of this work has been compiled, predominantly, through the review of literature on the subject matter. Limited observation of a child that has been diagnosed with a severe form of psychotic illness has been noted.

Ichthyosis: A Teacher's Manual, Deborah Brewster Vilas

Graduate Student Independent Studies

"Ichthyosis: A manual For Teachers" addresses the needs of children born with a rare, congenital skin disorder. Not unlike children with cancer, asthma or diabetes, children with ichthyosis have special needs regarding their physical comfort and safety in the educational setting. This manual addresses these needs along the developmental continuum. Using Erik Erikson's eight stages of man as a guideline, this manual addresses the physical, medical and psychosocial needs of the ichthyotic child from infancy through adolescence.

Included in this manual is an explanation of the disorder, it's symptoms and treatments. Practical tips for day care workers, teachers, school nurses …

The Use Of Corrective Emotional Experience In Therapeutic Intervention With An Elective Mute Child, Marilyn N. Bisberg

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The purpose of this thesis is to present a case study demonstrating the use of corrective emotional experience in therapeutic intervention with an elective mute child.

There are two portions to this presentation. The first portion of this paper includes review of past and present literature on elective mutism, review of Margaret Mahler's theory of separation-individuation and review of relational/structure theory of object relations. Following the review of the literature is the hypothesis that suggests a correlation between elective mutism and object relations theory.

The second portion of this thesis presents a case based upon this hypothesis, beginning with a …