How it feels to have PDA

Good evening everyone!  

It's now been a fair few months since I was last on here, and for a good reason too... I have had the pleasure of working at Aurora Poppyfield School from the end of January to keep me busy, which I can say is very similar to Grafham Grange. Only with a fewer behavioural challenges. Unfortunately, my time there has now come to an end after Easter break due to permanent staff being hired in each class.

During my time at Poppyfield, I got to expand my knowledge of SEMH and how it differently affects different pupils in each class. Much like in every previous SEMH school settings I have worked in after Grafham. Also during my time working at Poppyfield, I got to gain more skills in working with students who happen to have something called Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA for short.

There was this one boy in year 7, who I was working closely with a majority of my time at the school, who had a complex level of needs. All of which include, ASD, ADHD, SEMH, Trauma, SPD, and of course... PDA. Obviously, I will not be naming this person for identification protection reasons, but I can share with you what I have learned about PDA just from spending time with this pupil, and turning it into another insightful post.

So, many of you reading this now will no doubt be thinking: "What on earth is PDA all about? I've never heard of it before." I'd say, try working with a pupil with PDA, then you'll find out for yourself.

To answer that question, PDA is where a person will avoid doing tasks and/or following instructions given by another person. Particularly from teachers. Although, it is important to keep in mind that people with PDA are not trying to be difficult in any way at all when it comes to not doing what they are told to do. This is because many kids living with PDA, are often overpowered anxiety, and in order to for them to feel safe & secure, they need to be in control of everything they are doing. 

To phrase the above explanation shorter, kids with PDA are constantly living in "survival mode".

As a good example, I'll use the pupil at Poppyfield I was working a lot with. He would almost NEVER go into the classroom to do any work, as his mind is constantly in survival mode whilst at school. And given the amount of needs this pupil has to cope with all at once, the very small demand of doing a simple worksheet will plunge him into overwhelm overdrive.

As a result, this pupil will do things to his own agenda just to feel secure, and in control to help him survive the school day without feeling threatened by anything that triggers his PDA. Even if this includes playing games with him all day. With that said, it's vitally important to be able to build trust with PDA pupils before you can even think about getting them to do what YOU want them to do.

God forbid, I know I have certainly struggled with this, and will probably still do to this day if I get to work with any PDA pupils again in the nearby future.

I hope everyone has found this little piece of PDA expertise helpful. Bye for now!

*I began this post on the 13/4, but didn't finish it until the 14/4*

My thoughts on Shappi Khorsandi's book: Scatterbrain (ADHD awareness & insight post)

Evening all! I hope you're enjoying your week so far. As for me, it's been boring so far. Mainly because I had been stuck at home for 3 days due to having a cold, and not being allowed out.

As of such, I thought about doing some more research on ADHD during the time being. However, what actually prompted me to do some more research on this, was because I specifically wanted to find the link to being a scatterbrain & having ADHD. This was where I had stumbled upon a search result on Google, which consisted of a book on the Amazon website with the very title: "Scatterbrain: How I got off the ADHD rollercoaster" I then immediately thought to myself: "Ah, this must be the right research source I am looking for!"

And sure enough, it certainly didn't disappoint...!

This book turns out to be Comedian, Shappi Khorsandi, talking about her experiences with ADHD. It also turns out that she was undiagnosed with the said condition, and reflects on her own behaviour in the past while being undiagnosed.

(Please do feel free to comment about my picture design!)

Rather than keep using rhetorical questions to form my thoughts, and guide me through what I am going to say, I'll just get stuck in.

I don't know about any of you, (and you may agree or disagree with me on this) but I have always seemed to find ADHD personalities & characteristics highly amusing. And I sincerely do not mean this in an offensive way at all. I think this is because of of the unpredictability that ADHD behaviour brings to oneself. A common example of this would be willing to start something, but unable to get that something finished. Especially within a set timeframe. Like Shappi herself, when she was writing her book, as she highlighted the crazy things she has done when the deadline of her book was looming upon her. This is where the scatterbrain effect gets linked with this type of ADHD behaviour, as it makes you think that you have the capacity of doing so many things while within a set timeframe. But in reality, this just puts you off your primary focus, because you have scattered thoughts/ideas running around in your mind as if each of them are running their own marathon. Again, this is 1 of the reasons why I personally find ADHD amusing. 

Another thing from the book which spoke out to me, was how much focus control there is involved in ADHD focus, (hyper focus) but also the lack of focus on normal focus. It would be stereotypical of people (who do not or have a lack of understanding about ADHD) to label them as "incapable" just because they do not maintain focus like normal people. It has been proven that many people with ADHD ARE very capable of focusing on something, but in their own time. Especially when it comes to something that they are deeply interested in. If this can work for Shappi, then it can work for anyone.

Back onto the scatterbrain topic, having difficulties with controlling your emotions can create scattered thoughts into your mind. Like with most ADHD people, they may experience an overload of excessive thoughts running around in their mind, and they get to a sudden point where they need to blurt how they feel out loud, as this helps them to let of steam inside their mind. Sometimes, these thinking out loud thoughts may become too compulsive for other people around them to hear, as well as being around that ADHD person, so they feel like they are just trying to gain much unnecessary attention as possible. But in reality, that person really cannot help what they are doing.

Tips for looking after your mental health at Christmas

Hi everyone, it may be the 3rd day into the Christmas week, but better late than never. The reason for saying this, is because I thought about sharing some useful insight that some people have to go through at Christmas. 

Whilst I can understand that Christmas can be some people's most favourite time of the year by enjoying time with friends/family, enjoying their festive food/drink & celebrating like mad. However, I can also understand that Christmas is not some people's favourite time of the year either. In fact, it could may well even be some people's WORST time of the year.

With all the said, I think it's important that we all spread mental health awareness in relations to what some people have to go through at Christmas, as well as managing to cope with whatever it is that they are going through. I have attached the source I was looking at, written by someone on Young Minds, which contains of the useful ways that help them to physically & mentally make it through Christmas Day.

Source link: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/looking-after-your-mental-health-at-christmas/

Don't forget, my pm's are always welcome to anyone for whoever needs to talk during the festive period.💞🎄

#Anxiety and living in different times

Something that I literally just came up with at the top of my head tonight.

Personally, I'm not one for being against any of which one, but I'm just interested to know why. I am wary of the amount of people there are out there (including the people I know) that tend to live in whichever moment their mindset tells them to. Some may have the mindset capacity to live in all of them. Then again, everyone is different like that, so there is no misconception whatsoever. I'm just casually spreading my anxiety awareness to everyone.

However, if anxiety was to play a part in what I'm talking about, it would be that it has to tell oneself's mind to be stuck in that mindset with no reason as to why not. Before, anyone here jumps the gun, as to say: "Do you know what you are talking about?" I actually do, because my anxiety buffers to living in each of these moments due to me overthinking about things that I cannot change or things that are likely 99.99% (being creatively mathematical here) not going to happen.

What helps me to manage this? To put simply, I very much enjoy living in the now moment. I find it an even balance of how I live day in day out, as it benefits my anxiety from going to far ahead or being stuck somewhere from what happend 6yrs ago that I couldn't do nothing about which would still remain that way now.

But if I'm talking about different people out there... What is it about them that they enjoy living in which moment of their life? For all I know, it could be anything. Are they still reeling from the past? Do they just want to be in a world when they finally change the world? Does reliving in a certain time make them feel better about themselves? Do they rather go by the phrase: 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You'll never know what you're gonna get.'? The reasons are endless...

Whatever moment works for managing your anxiety, there is no right or wrong discrimination.

Even celebrities are just human beings (Anxiety Awareness post)

In a bid for anyone trying to gain a further recognition on how anxiety works on people, I am going to start making posts relating to anxiety. For this one, I have attached pictures of celebrities giving out their own perspectives on how anxiety makes them vision the world.

What's their purpose? This is because they want to shed some light on everybody around them going through similarly to what they're going through, in terms of anxiety. Anxiety doesn't necessarily have to effect us ordinary human beings, it can happily choose to have an effect on a celebrity lifestyle as well. In fact, anxiety doesn't give a damn weather you're the nicest person in the world or even the smartest person in the world. It likes to bring a difference to people's everyday lives, (including celebrities) so it makes them vision the world of mental health through their eyes. Also the world in general, goes by without saying.

As a friendly reminder for you all, my outcome of these posts is to spread awareness by making everyone reading not feel alone when they try to open up about their anxiety.  

There is always a light at the end of every tunnel

Just a quick one for today.

For all of you out there struggling with life right now, be sure to read this...

If you suddenly fall into a hole of Anxiety or Depression... and you feel like you can't find a way to escape it. Keep a special message in mind... as this is what I like to think when I have a down moment.

There will ALWAYS be a light at the end of every tunnel, regardless of what your struggle is. Struggles are a part of learning in life, but NEVER take struggling for granted, meaning it's never around to permanently stay.

If anything, you can use your struggles to help you learn to improve on yourself. Trust me, I guarantee you will feel so much better once you embrace the struggle!😁

My favourite life quotes

I thought about doing something relatively different for this kind of post; Since I personally think that everyone needs a fairly decent amount of hope from time to time. Which is why the above title explains my chosen topic.

*This is something which I very much struggle with already, and talking about it really does help*

 

*I also strongly advise everyone else to do the same, as one of my goals for this blog, is to encourage people to discuss their inner feelings more openly to a wider audience, so that they don't feel 'alone' by thinking they're the only ones who suffer from their demon thoughts*

 

(Courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/officialknowledgeispower/)

How #Autism can REALLY help an individual thrive in life

This will be another highlighted post courtesy from a website. (The Sun)

Which will be illustrating how Katie Price's autistic son, Harvey, has recently been offered the amazing role of becoming a 'Train Announcer'.

We'll be looking at how having these autistic traits, can help you succeed, in terms of doing what you really love to do.

First off, let me just say... I'm autistic myself, so I can totally relate to how it works.

If you've been reading the same similar news, it explains how Harvey's form of autism allows him to remember, as well as memorize every single thorough detail in the National Rail train announcements, in which, a certain train route will be announced to help people travel from A - B on their route.

Overall, Harvey seems to have a strong interest about trains, and is also very passionate about how they work. With that said, he has an occupied intention to look up their history, routes and companies etc.

If anyone else who has these autistic traits, will only have room for one thing in their life - Success! In expansion to this, they have an interest, they look up ALL the information, facts and history of their chosen interest and will keep going until their brain has soaked up EVERYTHING they need to know about their chosen interest to be able to get involved in the type of career they've been aiming towards throughout ALL their childhood and young adulthood.

In addition, the article states that Harvey needs care 24/7, meaning, he sounds like he is low functioning on the spectrum. I need to point out this fact, because these autistic traits can be easily confused with having 'Asperger's Syndrome' (I might explain that in another post) Which sits on the highest end of the spectrum and again, allows people to be thoroughly detailed when having a certain interest, as well as chasing it down in order to succeed.

But having all of these complicated needs DOES NOT stop him from achieving his goals - Another type of message which needs to be spread out more.

That concludes everything I want to disclose on this post and please feel free to comment about any type of advice. See you all soon!

👇Here's the article link below:👇

  

 https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/13873712/katie-price-harvey-network-rail-train-announcer/

10 steps to a positive body image

This is an interesting topic of conversation, in which, I came across recently. (Courtesy of my College)

I personally feel like we need to be spreading these messages out more to the world, as there still could be THOUSANDS of people putting themselves down due to their dissatisfaction of their body image. It is deeply important to justify that we are human and we can only function with positive energy. 

Take a look for yourself and have a good long reflect.

  

Just remember - You are ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT regardless of who you are, what you do and whatever you're background is.✊

I rest my case.

The psychology involved with cybercrime

Hey all, 

I was intending to make a post earlier in the week, however, I had my head buried in coursework all week, so I wanted to get that out of the way. Also, I've just finished a course on The Open University called: "The psychology of cybercrime" So I reckon now would be the perfect time to disclose everything I've learned with you.

Question overall: 

Why the need for cybercrime?

Let's explore the psychological factors!

First scenario:

Say if you were a Twitter user, and you noticed that one of your friends has a 2nd account for some peculiar reason, you then immediately presume they created it, and therefore, proceed to follow them.

However, what you fail to realize, is that your friend DID NOT create that account, in which it was created by somebody who has an intention of hacking them. By doing so, they know that you're following them on twitter, which will allow them to take advantage of your account by looking into your personal details, as well as your personal photos. (Some being inappropriate)

Furthermore, they have more intention of exploiting you all over the internet by sharing your private photos (which may be inappropriate) everywhere. This will then be followed by humiliation, violation and guilt, as to why you'd trustingly followed the hacker's account thinking it was one of your friends.

Here's some useful advice: When you see another social media account with a photo of your friend and their name - Ask them first if they actually DID create another account, because you never know beforehand who is on the other side of it...

Second scenario:

You were just casually browsing the internet, when all of a sudden... a random email notification pops up on your screen.

Now, you might be thinking: "Oooh, I bet this might be exciting or urgent, so I better check it out" This email happens to be sent from a branded company informing you that you need to re-new your membership by asking for your bank details, including the use of exclamation marks. You make the decision to go ahead and send your bank details.

But after a while, you get a notification from your bank, saying that a large portion of your money had been raided from your account. You will then immediately realize you've been a victim of 'fraud'.

This type of cybercrime asks for your bank details through your email pretending to be a branded company. 3 things to bare in mind here: A. Look for the @something.com next to the branded company name, B. Branded companies would NEVER ask you to send over you bank details through an email and C. You would not see any branded company use any exclamation marks in their form of writing.

Third scenario:

Again, you were just casually browsing the internet, when all of a sudden... a random notification pops up on your screen. But this time, it's stating that your computer/laptop is at risk of slowing down, so it's advising you to click on 'save file' to help reduce the lagging in the system.

But instead, another message pops up saying a "trojan" virus has been found in the system and starts to cause problems with every single thing involved. To put it in simpler terms, you're unable to access ANYTHING.

This type of virus is designed to send scam pop messages on your computer/laptop screen, which will only end up destroying every single tab and file on it. 

Thanks for taking your time to read and PLEASE stay safe when using the internet. I shall be back soon with another post. Stay tuned!