Module ID# 3
Type: training
Revised: 07/2007

Module Description - Instructional Outcomes - Instructional Events
Instructional Evaluation - Discussion List

MODULE DESCRIPTION:

This module is intended to contribute to your basic understanding in ways prescription medications can affect how children grow and learn, classroom instruction, behavior management, school policies, and support of families and children with rare disorders. Topics of interest include:

• The four most commonly prescribed drugs for children; their use, benefits, and side effects.
• Instructional modifications to consider, based on both positive and negative effects of medication taken during the school day.
• Successful behavioral management plans for stimulant prescriptive ADHD children.
• Common school policies for the handling and dispensing of prescription medication.
• Children on experimental medications, and children with rare disorders with few available prescriptive treatments.

This module is designed to help educators of students with exceptional needs demonstrate competencies  in performances, knowledge, and dispositions in alignment with Standards #1 (contemporary issues) and Standard #7 of the IPSB approved standards (1998). It also aligns with INTASC new teacher training Principle #9 (The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and action on others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professional.) and Principle #10 (The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being.)

INSTRUCTIONAL Proficiencies:

The student will be able to:

1. Articulate the most commonly prescribed drugs for children, benefits of their use, side effects, and understand "windows of time" for best results.
2. Modify both instruction and behavioral expectation according to both benefits and side effects of commonly prescribed drugs.
3. Examine their own school policy for the handling and dispensing of drugs as to "best practice" in both safety for students as well as access for life-threatening conditions.
4. Articulate a basic understanding of the Orphan Drug Law and how it affects children with rare disorders.

The Indiana Professional Standards Board states: 

Standard #1:  The educator of students with exceptional needs is well versed in the history, philosophy, and foundations of special education as well as the applicability of current laws and contemporary issues in the field and uses this knowledge to enhance educational opportunities for all students.  This module addresses the following:

• Performances:  3)  conducts educational and other professional activities which are compliant with local/district level policies and procedures; 7) maintains student, familial, and collegial confidentiality.
• Knowledge:  4) knows the rights and responsibilities of parents, students, educators, and other professionals as these relate to students with exceptional needs.
• Dispositions: 5) respects the legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality.
  
  

Standard #7:  The educator of students with exceptional needs understands the importance of teaching appropriate behaviors and social skills and effectively applies and models these strategies in interactions with students, families, and colleagues.  This module addresses the following:

• Performances: 7) knows how various medications, therapies, and other interventions may affect the learner’s performance.
• Knowledge: 7) understands how physiological factors may influence student behavior and socialization.
• Dispositions: 4) respects the dignity of the individual.

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

How to Use the Module to Meet Objectives
This site will have some basic text material, Q & A. Embedded within the text will be a few WWW sites you are required to visit. For some of these sites I want you to visit and read the entire contents. For the majority, I will be giving you specific areas within a WWW site. You are encouraged to visit other areas in these WWW sites, but that is not required. When you are finished with the module, I have listed five possible assessment exercises.  Your professor can choose to enhance these assignments with additional requirements and documentation.  This module contains information and websites to adequately answer all these assessment activities as they are written.