2/25/2020 Polysubstance use may include, but is not limited to, - PDF document

2/25/2020 Polysubstance use may include, but is not limited to, combinations of:  nicotine  alcohol WORKING WI WO WITH TH YO YOUTH EXPO EXPOSED TO TO  marijuana POL POLYSUBS BSTANCES  opiates  methamphetamine SUSAN M. GERENZ, M.Ed. Special Education Regional Coordinator  cocaine North Dakota Department of Public Instruction  heroin sgerenz@nd.gov  synthetics (701) 328 ‐ 2277 1 2 Polysub substance nce Use Use Af Affects cts Mor More Than Than Exposure to Poly ‐ substances during pregnancy/infancy or extreme stress, neglect, abuse, and/or trauma changes the developing brain Pre Pregnanc ncy of the child.  Egg  Sperm  The brain stem is over ‐ activated: leading to magnified fear and/or anger response.  In ‐ utero  Environmental Exposure  The cerebellum & limbic system is under ‐ activated: leading to withering of emotional control.  Lifestyle & Parenting  Nutrition  The cortex is under ‐ activated: leading to diminished learning, memory, and higher order thinking.  Medical  Downshifting ‐ under threat and stress, the brain shuts down layer by layer ‐  Dietary  “Go Reptilian!”  Attachment  Self ‐ Regulation  Executive Functioning  Developmental Skills 3 4 1

2/25/2020 Effects on Brain and Central Nervous System Development: Observations of Children in Psychiatric Residential Treatment who are likely polysubstance exposed  Disruption in migration of cells ‐ movement along branches 1. Non ‐ categorical delays: across many life domains 2. Autism ‐ like symptoms: communication, socialization, behavior  Shorter dendrites ‐ difficulty carrying information 3. Psychotic symptoms: disorganized thinking, personality changes, limited insight, social impairments  Reduced myelin insulating the neurons ‐ slower information processing and less white 4. Childhood schizophrenia symptoms: auditory/visual hallucinations, matter paranoia, delusions, bizarre behavior  Impaired cell survival 5. “Children with no skin!” 6. “FAS on steroids!” 5 6 Polysubstance Exposure Impacts: POLYSUBSTANCE EXPOSURE IS CHARACTERIZED BY LONG RANGE  Working Memory and Information processing UNDER ‐ CONNECTIVITY  Provide extra processing time  Offer visual cues/multisensory learning  Impacts integration of skills important for language, social skills, and sensory ‐ motor.  Face ‐ emotion labeling  Impacts frontal lobe executive functions:  Requires direct instruction, repetition & overlearning  Working memory  Prerequisite for empathy skills  Planning and organization  Self ‐ regulation  Perspective taking  Focus/attention in emotional situations  Empathy and compassion  Use coping/calming techniques before presenting verbal information or directives 7 8 2

2/25/2020 • HOOK UPS • CROSS LATERAL MARCH Processing Coping Skills are designed to help you • RHYTHMIC CLAPPING work through thoughts and feelings you have about • JUMPING JACKS challenging situations. Some suggestions: • FULL BODY BREATHING Make a coping box  • WALKING OUTSIDE Write poetry  • SWINGING ON SWINGS Use a journal  • RIDING BIKE Use a feelings thermometer  Create a playlist to listen to • DANCING  • CLIMBING STAIRS • PLAYING CATCH OR FRISBEE copingskillsforkids.com 9 10 CLOSING THOUGHTS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES NDMTSS “This isn’t something else on the plate; this is our plate. Once you get the plate established, everything else flourishes.” http://www.ndmtss.org/wp ‐ content/uploads/2019/06/39545 ‐ 6 ‐ 1 ‐ 18 ‐ Compiled ‐ NDMTSS ‐ SEL ‐ Scales.pdf Rennie Center on Education Research & Policy 11 12 3