Yul Whitney: Helping children with learning disabilities break free from isolation

An advocate of children with learning disabilities, school psychologist Yul Whitney makes sure that the differently abled students he works for feel accepted. This is because students who feel isolated and rejected will most likely be unable to respond to instructions, compromising their academic progress.

Yul Whitney. Image Credit: learningrxtutoring.files.wordpress.com

Social isolation has become a common consequence to children’s learning disabilities. The “differentness” these students have discouraged their classmates to talk to them, causing them to feel unwanted and unloved. And this emotion, if left untouched, can leave a permanent mark on them, affecting their social relationships in the future. For this reason, school officials should take it upon themselves to offer solutions to alleviate the feeling of rejection students with learning disabilities experience.

Yul Whitney. Image Credit: bububooks.files.wordpress.com

School psychologists like Yul Whitney suggest that as adults, school officials should show the other children that they appreciate and respect the differently abled students. They should never say and do things that will suggest that the special students are disliked. Children look up to those older than them, and if they see their teachers and school administrators treating the special children with dignity and respect, then they may start to follow their example.

Yul Whitney. Image Credit: 4.bp.blogspot.com

It is also important for educators to discover the special students’ areas of competence and, of course, support them. They should encourage the students to join club activities wherein they will be able to excel. If they happen to succeed, students with learning disabilities can develop a feeling of self-confidence, inspiring them to finally socialize with others.

By offering their support to these special students, school officials will be able to generate an environment where everyone can learn and grow without feeling unwanted.

To learn more about Yul Whitney, check out this Twitter page.

Falling through the cracks: Yul Whitney and dual diagnosis

Dual diagnosis occurs when a person have both a mental problem and a substance abuse issue. For psychologists like Yul Whitney, many people who face dual diagnosis factors are in double jeopardy as each element in the duality contribute to the worsening of the other.

Yul Whitney Image Credit: alcohol.addictionblog.org

Though separate in terms of diagnoses, mental health issues and substance abuse problems are in fact interrelated, and each feeds off the other; psychiatric problems can be masked with alcohol or substance abuse, and alcohol and substance use can mimic the symptoms of having a mental disorder.

Yul Whitney Image Credit: mentaldisorderslist.org

What is troubling is that there are no “red flags” to indicate that a person who is suffering from a mental disorder is also a substance abuser. According to psychologists like Yul Whitney, it is this factor that causes many patients suffering from dual diagnosis to fall through the cracks of tests for either treating mental disorders or addressing substance abusers, and is regarded primarily as causing relapses in a patient.

Yul Whitney Image Credit: paloverdevalleytimes.com

For people with substance abuse problems, the initial step is to undergo a period of detoxification, under strict medical supervision, for the body to rid itself of the substances and alcohol in its system. After detoxification, a dual treatment program will be conducted to address the issues that may have contributed to the substance abuse issue and the development of the mental disorder of the patient.  

For more information about Yul Whitney, check out this Twitter page.