A young person is said to have a behavior disorder when his or her behavior is noticeably different from that expected in the school or community. This can also be stated in simpler terms as a child who is not doing what adults want him to do at a particular time. Children with this disorder often seem to be behaving in different and socially unacceptable ways.
Like learning disabilities, behavior disorders are hard to diagnose. There are no physical symptoms in the body that are observable or measurable. Behavior disorders are therefore identified by observing behavior patterns in the child over a period of time. If a child displays some of the following behaviors, he may be labeled with a behavior disorder:
◆ Aggression and cruelty to people and animals.
◆ Destruction of property — defacing or damaging things.
◆ Little sympathy and concern for others.
◆ Takes no responsibility for behavior. Also lies, cheats and steals easily.
◆ Disregards rules and regulations.
In addition to these general symptoms of a behavior disorder, there are other symptoms characteristic of more specific behavior disorders such as ADHD — this is the inattentive, can’t-sit-still behavior. The attention can’t last long and the behavior is impulsive at times. The child also seems quite distracted and forgetful.
Behavior disorders come from brain injury, child abuse, and shock, etc. There have also been indications that it could be a genetic disorder. The behavior therefore is an involuntary response to these experiences and the child should not be blamed for his behavior. Since the child has problems controlling his behavior, it stands to reason that his performance in school will be affected. A child with a behavior disorder will feel bad about himself and that low self-esteem will be further worsened by the adults around him who do not treat his condition with understanding and willingness to help.
Behavior disorders are best dealt with by behavior and psychological treatments. But, as with learning disabilities, accurate diagnosis is important and this must be over a length of time. It is also important in trying to modify the behavior to be clear about what is the behavior you are expecting. Make sure it is a rational expectation. For example, expecting a three-year-old to sit quietly through a long church service may not be reasonable, or
demanding that a six-year-old should do extra home work after a long day of school and extra curricular activities may be stretching the child’s concentration and attention too far. Since some behavior disorders result from shocking and upsetting life experiences or brain injury, treatments should include helping the child to resolve and heal emotionally from the experience. The behavior could be corrected through emotional healing. In other words, when a human being is emotionally healthy, that is, can be aware of his intelligence and enthusiasm for life and his loving connectedness to other human beings, he automatically “behaves” rationally.
Passage outline | Supporting 71.__________ |
Definition of a behavior disorder | A person may be considered to have a behaviour disorder when he behaves apparently 72. __________ from others. |
Symptoms of a behavior disorder | ●Being 73. __________ and showing no mercy to animals and other people ●Tending to do damage to things around him ●Having little sympathy or concern for others ●Failing to 74. __________ for what he has done and not being honest ●Lacking the awareness of 75. __________ rules and regulations ●Having difficulty concentrating on something for long |
Factors 76. __________ in behaviour disorders | ●Some outside forces may lead to a behaviour disorder. ●A genetic disorder giving 77. __________ to a behaviour disorder has also been found. |
Ways to deal with behaviour disorders | ●Behaviour treatment: diagnosing such a disorder 78. __________and modifying the disordered behaviour in a rational way. ●Psychological treatment: attaching importance to improving the patient’s emotional 79. __________ , thus, developing a proper self-esteem. |
Conclusion | A behaviour disorder isn’t nearly 80. __________ to diagnose from physical symptoms, but it can be dealt with in behaviour and psychological ways. |
Title: Behaviour Disorders
71.details; 72.differently; 73.cruel/aggressive; 74.answer; 75. obeying/observing;
76.resulting; 77. rise/birth; 78.accurately; 79.health; 80.easy;
In a society, such as the United States or Canada, which has many national, religious and cultural differences, people highly value individualism--the difference among people. Teachers place a lot of importance on the qualities that make each student special. The educational systems in these countries show these values. Students don't memorize information. Instead, they work individually and find answers themselves. There is often discussion in the classroom. At an early age, students learn to form their own ideas and opinions.
In most Asian societies, by contrast, people have the same language, history, and culture. Perhaps for this reason, the educational system in much of Asia reflects society’s belief in group goals and purposes rather than individualism. Children in China, Japan, and Korea often work together and help one another in assignments. In the classroom, the teaching methods are often very formal. The teacher lectures, and the students listen. There is not much discussion. Instead, the students recite rules of information that they have memorized.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these systems of education. For example, one advantage to the system in Japan is that there much more math and science than American students learn by the end of high school. They also study more hours each day and more days each year than North Americans do. The system is difficult, but it prepares students for a society that values discipline and self-control. There is, however, a disadvantage. Memorization is an important learning method in Japanese schools, yet many students say that after an exam, they forget much of the information that they have memorized.
The advantage of the educational system in North American, on the other hand, is that students learn to think for themselves. The system prepares them for a society that values creative ideas. There is, however, a disadvantage. When students graduate from high school, they haven’t memorized as many basic rules and facts as students in other countries have.
Title: 76 of Educational System between North America and Asia
Students in the US and 77 | Students in China, Japan and Korea | |
What do they 78 | Individualism | 79 goals and purposes |
Different 80 of study | Working individually | Listening to the teachers |
Forming their own ideas and opinions | Reciting rules and memorizing information | |
A lot of discussion in the classroom | Not much discussion | |
81 | Learning to think for themselves | Learning much more math and science |
Studying more hours each day and more days each year | ||
Good for a society that values 82 | Good for a society valuing 83 and self-control | |
Disadvantages | Students haven’t memorized many basic rules and facts before 84___ | Information is 85 easily. |
Directions: Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information from the passage. Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.
American public education has changed in recent years. One change is that increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent public schools called charter schools.
In 1991, there were no charter schools in the Unite States. Today, more than 2300 charter schools operate in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575. 000 students attend these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older.
A charter school is created by groups of parents, teachers and community members. It is similar in some ways to a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate a number of students. The charter school must prove to local or state governments that its students are learning. These governments provide the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate.
Unlike a traditional public school, however, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what to teach.
Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to reach those goals. Class sizes are usually smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say teachers in charter schools can be more creative.
However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions often oppose charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly needed by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling.
Congress provided 200 million dollars for establishing charter schools in the 2006 federal budget. But, often the schools say they lack enough money for programs. Many also lack needed space, District officials say they have provided 14 former school buildings for charter education. Yet charter school supporters say officials should try harder to find more space.
Title: 71.
72 ________ | Independent public school | ||
Similarities between charter schools and traditional schools | ●73 ________ to operate U number of students ●Having to prove the students are learning ●Getting 74 ________ to operate from government | ||
75 __________ between charter schools and traditional schools | ●Not having to obey most laws for public schools ●Being free to decide the 76 ________ ●Being free to choose the goals and decide 77 ________ them ●There usually being 78 ________ students in charter schools’classes ●Having teachers who are more creative | ||
Charter school's problems | Opinions from education departments | These schools receiving money badly needed by 79 ________ Not all doing well | |
Opinions from charter schools | Lacking enough money Lacking 80._________ |