Family Family InteractionsInteractions

Family Family InteractionsInteractions

Presenters:Presenters:

Kerry O’BrienKerry O’Brien

Megan BrownMegan Brown

The Importance of Interactions

To Us and the Field of

Education

Gain Knowledge To view situations in a different

setting Seeing how a disability affects

interactions Furthers education

To Parents and

Teachers

Importance of communications between each other

Helps parents see how their child interacts in different settings

So they are better prepared to handle problems that can arise.

To Children With and Without Disabilities

• See the differences in people• Learn about different disabilities• Seeing how crucial interactions are to development• To build stronger relationships• Lower levels of anxiety

Who we are as Researchers!

• Past experience working with people who have disabilities includes….

-Down Syndrome to Emotionally Disturbed

• Our bias was…-Family income

• How we overcame our bias…-Meeting the family

-Seeing the close-knit and caring environment

Medical Model- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(Aggressive

and Destructive) [ADHD]

Known Causes-Biological: chemical imbalance-Environmental: toxins-Genetic: family link

Symptoms-Hyperactive-Impulsive-Inattentive

Medical Model-Oppositional Defiant

Disorder(ODD)

• Known Causes-Biological: brain defects or injury-Environmental: dysfunctional family life and inconsistent discipline from parents-Genetic: family link

• Symptoms-Throwing repeated temper tantrums-Not complying with authority figures-Blaming others for their mistakes-Swearing or using obscene language-As well as others

Best Practices

ADHDBehavioral

InterventionMedication-

stimulantsCombination of

both

ODDMedicationPsychosocial

InterventionCombination of all

Data Collection

• Interviewing• Observation at home• Observation at school• Observation in the community

Findings in the Home

Verbal Interactions

o Family Speaks/Interprets for Him

o Family Doesn’t Understand Him

o A Guessing Game

Physical Interactions

o Sign Languageo Huggingo Grabbing/Hitting

Findings in the School and the Community

• Children were not as willing to speak to him• Radical behavior changes

Conclusions and Recommendations

Patterns Inconsistency Unique

Communication with

Sister

Themes Lack of Social Skills Sense of Caring

As a Result of Our Study…

Change in Opinion

• Ease of Working with a Family - Conflicting Schedules- Lack of Open Connection

Change in Teaching Practices

• Inconsistent Punishment

• Inconsistent Behavioral

Management

Recommendations for Professionals

• Open Line of Communication• Flexible Schedule• Hang in There!

Why Our Study is Important

• Gaining Knowledge• Different Perspectives• A fresh and new view!