Types of developmental disorder |
Characteristic symptoms |
Examples in dealing with children at daycare centers and kindergartens |
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
- Inattention (has trouble paying attention, often forgetful)
- Hyperactivity (restlessness, cannot remain seated)
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Impulsivity (behaves impulsively or erratically)
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- Having the child sit front and center, not seating them by a window or near an entrance, which tends to stimulate his/her visual and auditory senses.
- Display rules and goals in an easily visible place.
Divide activities with short breaks.
- Give additional signals by patting the child's shoulder or touching his/her hand when the child doesn't listen to what you are saying.
- Regarding problematic behavior; remind the child ("You promised me you wouldn't leave the water running, didn't you?") rather than scolding ("Don't leave the water running!")
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Asperger syndrome (no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or language)
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- Characteristics of verbal understanding and usage (cannot understand metaphor, difficulty in listening to others).
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Difficulty in understanding others' feelings and recognizing the present situation or atmosphere.
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An intense interest in a specific subject and a tendency to cling to certain objects (obsession with doing things in a certain order)
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- When listening as a group, have them sit as close as possible to a teacher.
- Prepare a room or space to use as a refuge (they often prefer a secluded small space) where they can calm down when feeling unsettled.
- Get their attention by saying things like "Please listen carefully." before giving instructions.
- When schedules are changed, let them know about the change as soon as possible, not at the last minute.
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High-functioning autism (little or no delay in cognitive development)
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- Delay in verbal development
- Difficulty in understanding others' feelings and recognizing the present situation or atmosphere
- An intense interest in a specific subject and a tendency to cling to certain objects (obsession with doing things in a certain order, repeating the same motion)
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