The Missing Link in Behavioral, Mental Health, and Academic Outcomes
Presentation Abstract
Did you know that unidentified language deficits are frequently characterized as rudeness, disinterest, poor motivation, and a lack of willingness to engage? Did you know that the consequences of untreated language problems are significant and result in mental health and behavior problems, reading difficulties, grade retention, and high school dropout? Although a large proportion of children with behavior problems have underlying, unrecognized language deficits, few schools are recognizing these skills among students with disruptive behavior. This session provides critically important information about language as a missing link to understanding and responding to student misbehavior—including the link between language, anger, and safety. Session participants will learn to identify underlying determinants significantly impacting student’s mental health development and academic success that hinder the success of talk-based therapy and other conversation-based interventions; apply research about language disorders—an underlying issue over-represented in juvenile justice and significantly associated with mental health and academic outcomes; and employ strategies to recognize and appropriately respond to signs indicating problems with language skills—a practice that can and should be applied by schools, educators, juvenile court judges, child welfare staff, mental health providers, and others.
Recommended Citation
Weldon, Arianne and McGiboney, Garry, "The Missing Link in Behavioral, Mental Health, and Academic Outcomes" (2019). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 16.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2019/2019/16
The Missing Link in Behavioral, Mental Health, and Academic Outcomes
Did you know that unidentified language deficits are frequently characterized as rudeness, disinterest, poor motivation, and a lack of willingness to engage? Did you know that the consequences of untreated language problems are significant and result in mental health and behavior problems, reading difficulties, grade retention, and high school dropout? Although a large proportion of children with behavior problems have underlying, unrecognized language deficits, few schools are recognizing these skills among students with disruptive behavior. This session provides critically important information about language as a missing link to understanding and responding to student misbehavior—including the link between language, anger, and safety. Session participants will learn to identify underlying determinants significantly impacting student’s mental health development and academic success that hinder the success of talk-based therapy and other conversation-based interventions; apply research about language disorders—an underlying issue over-represented in juvenile justice and significantly associated with mental health and academic outcomes; and employ strategies to recognize and appropriately respond to signs indicating problems with language skills—a practice that can and should be applied by schools, educators, juvenile court judges, child welfare staff, mental health providers, and others.
