I am working with colleagues to provide a means for students with disabilities and their educational teams to understand the impact of fatigue , to advocate for appropriate strategies and programs and to moderate fatigue in educational contexts .
motor processes and executive functions , inevitably leading to poorer academic performance .
The same researchers also found that decreasing cognitive functioning was also related to a decrease in intrinsic motivation and consequently , is frequently experienced by people with disabilities . Research has documented how young students who are deaf or hard of hearing experience fatigue daily related to the need for constant and ongoing physical , social-emotional or mental effort for :
- Listening and watching both their teacher and classroom support personnel such as a sign language interpreter or educational assistant ;
- Communicating with peers through a communication device or lip / speech reading ;
- Attending to classroom instruction through an amplification device .
Understanding students ’ experiences of fatigue and the impact of it matters to students ’ lives . ( Allison Shelley / EDUimages ), CC BY-NC
Fatigue in school-aged children
Fatigue among school-aged children can have many negative effects . One study based in Japan found about 16 per cent of elementary and 34 per cent of junior high school students reported experiencing fatigue throughout a typical school week . In this study , self-reported fatigue was associated with difficulties with poor academic performance .
In addition , fatigue has been associated with a variety of psychoeducational issues , such as reduced physical activity , slower educational progress , more frequent school absences , less socializing with friends and family and increased stress in children .
Students with disabilities In educational settings , fatigue
The cumulative effects of such experiences lead to poorer quality of life outcomes for these students , including limiting educational and vocational choices , increased mental health concerns and negative impacts on family and friend relationships .
Poorly understood impact
Currently , the impact of fatigue in educational settings for students with disabilities is poorly understood by teachers , administrators , policymakers and parents or caregivers and students themselves .
To Table of Contents
Accessibilty for All 67