I am working with a third grade student who has been found eligible for services under an EI. She expresses seeing and hearing things that others do not see. To elaborate, she has reported seeing dead people in the school. She indicates that sometimes they tell her to do bad stuff, but many times they are friendly. She typically does not appear bothered by this, but has expressed fear of going into certain rooms.
I guess my question is how can the team best address her unique needs. Is it fair to tell her that these people she sees are not real? Because in her mind, they very much are. She has not been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but parent is aware and concerned that she may eventually. Any suggestions how to help to alleviate any anxiety these hallucinations may be causing her would be much appreciated. As of now we have been telling her that while she may see these people they cannot hurt her. Any other targeted interventions, social stories, etc would be helpful!
http://www.intervoiceonline.org/2577/young-people/parents/dont-panic-if-your-child-is-hearing-voices.html\nhttp://www.intervoiceonline.org/2633/news/children-hearing-voices-a-new-book.html\n\nPage 11: http://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/Resources/Educ/MHClassroomFactSheet.pdf\n\nhttp://www.voicecollective.co.uk/documents/Information/Parents Booklet 1 - Intro_web.pdf\n\n http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/EC/childhoodschizophrenia.html\n\nfrom http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/home/article/hallucinations-in-children-diagnostic-and-treatment-strategies/07118d5397a98e1cbacc0f2028ccce73.html?tx_ttnews[sViewPointer]=1:\nHelp children develop coping strategies to control auditory hallucinations such as:\nClinical Point\nChildren with visual hallucinations can learn to transform in their mind the frightful image to a funnier one\nhumming\nlistening to music\nreading (forwards and backwards)\ntalking to others\nexercising\nsinging\nmedication\nignoring the voices.\nWith normalization and other coping strategies, children with visual hallucinations can learn to transform in their mind the frightful image to a funnier one, which is less anxiety-provoking and gives them a sense of control.\n\n\n http://schizophrenia.com/family/FAQchild.htm#symptoms (look for for the question: How do I respond to my child's symptoms (particularly hallucinations)?)\n\nIt sounds like it may be time to involve a psychiatrist to help diagnose and treat the child. \n\nBest of Luck!"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":961,"3":{"1":0},"9":0,"10":1,"11":4,"12":0}">Hi ram71282,
Check out these resources:
http://www.intervoiceonline.org/2577/young-people/parents/dont-panic-if-your-child-is-hearing-voices.html
http://www.intervoiceonline.org/2633/news/children-hearing-voices-a-new-book.html
Page 11: http://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/Resources/Educ/MHClassroomFactSheet.pdf
http://www.voicecollective.co.uk/documents/Information/Parents Booklet 1 - Intro_web.pdf
http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/EC/childhoodschizophrenia.html
from http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/home/article/hallucinations-in-children-diagnostic-and-treatment-strategies/07118d5397a98e1cbacc0f2028ccce73.html?tx_ttnews [sViewPointer]=1:
Help children develop coping strategies to control auditory hallucinations such as:
Clinical Point
Children with visual hallucinations can learn to transform in their mind the frightful image to a funnier one
humming
listening to music
reading (forwards and backwards)
talking to others
exercising
singing
medication
ignoring the voices.
With normalization and other coping strategies, children with visual hallucinations can learn to transform in their mind the frightful image to a funnier one, which is less anxiety-provoking and gives them a sense of control.
http://schizophrenia.com/family/FAQchild.htm#symptoms (look for for the question: How do I respond to my child's symptoms (particularly hallucinations)?)
It sounds like it may be time to involve a psychiatrist to help diagnose and treat the child.
Best of Luck!
https://www.ted.com/playlists/175/the_struggle_of_mental_health\n\nThis is a TED Talk from a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. She talks about her experience with it and how she was able to manage the hallucinations. Although she talks about it in her adult life and not working through it as a child, the way she describes it is makes it easier to visualize and understand, which can be beneficial in order to help your student."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":961,"3":{"1":0},"9":0,"10":1,"11":4,"12":0}"> https://www.ted.com/playlists/175/the_struggle_of_mental_health
This is a TED Talk from a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. She talks about her experience with it and how she was able to manage the hallucinations. Although she talks about it in her adult life and not working through it as a child, the way she describes it is makes it easier to visualize and understand, which can be beneficial in order to help your student.
