University Of California Irvine Extension Introduces "Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder And Other Anxiety Disorders"

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience;  Mental Health
Article Date: 06 Sep 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Millions of children across the United States suffer from disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome and anxiety disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - conditions which often affect their performance in school on both social and academic levels. In an effort to foster educator recognition of symptoms in the school setting, and an understanding of the impact of these disorders on education, behavior, and social-emotional functioning, as well as to provide practical strategies to offset their impact - the University of California, Irvine Extension will offer a new course, "Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Other Anxiety Disorders." The course will meet online from Oct. 13 to Nov. 23.

"Tourette's, OCD and anxiety disorders are relatively common amongst school-aged children; unfortunately, many cases are undetected or misdiagnosed," said Sheryl K. Pruitt, M.Ed., ET/P, co-instructor of the course. "This class will help parents and educators recognize the varied manifestations of these disorders - from mild to severe - to allow them to provide early intervention."

Participants in the course will learn to define and recognize the cardinal features of Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and non-OCD Anxiety Disorders. They will also gain an increased understanding of the impact of Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and non-OCD Anxiety Disorders on a student's ability to learn and to perform academic tasks, and will learn how to develop school-based accommodation plans for class work, homework, and testing for students with these disorders. In addition, they will be able to identify what other disorders school personnel will need to screen for, and develop peer education programs to help student's peers empathize with the student.

Course instructors Sheryl Pruitt and Leslie Packer each have a very personal experience with these disorders - they both have children with these conditions as well as other close family members who have been affected. Their teaching combines both their professional experience and their personal insights. Many of the course sessions feature experiential components such as empathy-building exercises, YouTube videos of kids with these disorders, essays written by children about their experiences, as well as vignettes from parents, kids and teachers.

"Far too often parents and educators are looking for the 'TV version' of something like Tourette's . expecting a child to curse, or yell out - when in fact, it is more common that they will sniff, or blink, or exhibit some other minor tic or symptom," said Leslie E. Packer, Ph.D, psychologist and co-instructor of the course. "Scientific advances in research and understanding of these types of disorders have generated increased awareness, but advanced education is necessary to give parents and educators the knowledge-base and training necessary to understand and really help children impacted by these diagnoses."

About the Instructors

Sheryl K. Pruitt, M.Ed., ET/P, is a Clinical Doctor of Parkaire Consultants, a clinic serving neurologically impaired individuals. Pruitt conducted a Georgia Model Learning Disability Program, and has served on the National Tourette Syndrome Association Education Committee and Professional Advisory Board of the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. She co-authored Teaching the Tiger and has contributed to the Canadian Tourette Foundation's Education Guide. Pruitt teaches Georgia teachers about neurological impairments and their impact on education, behavior, and socialization. She also presents on the topic both nationally and internationally.

Leslie E. Packer, Ph.D. is a New York State licensed psychologist, treating children and adolescents with neurobehavioral disorders. She also serves as a consulting psychologist to school districts to provide staff development and to assist school teams in developing appropriate educational programs for students with neurological disorders. Packer served on the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Long Island for six years and on the national Tourette Syndrome Association's Education and Advocacy committees. She has served as a trainer for state education departments, and has conducted workshops nationally and internationally. She frequently writes for publication in peer-reviewed journals as well as for her Tourette Syndrome "Plus" Web site, and she has a book in press about the challenges of educating students with a variety of neurological disorders.

About UC Irvine Extension

As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities.

About the University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion.

University of California, Irvine