Socialized Aggression & PKU

The first disability category that I learned about is Socialized Aggression under Social and Emotional Disorders (Externalizing). The second disability category I learned about is Phenylketornuria (PKU) under Mental Retardation. PKU is different/similar from my original category in the following ways:

a. Definition: Socialized Aggression and PKU have different definitions. Socialized Aggression is categorized under the federal government’s definition of Emotional Disturbance, whereas PKU is categorized under the federal government’s definition of Mental Retardation. Socialized Aggression refers to youth who build or join a community of peers who are involved in a delinquent act, ‘wilding’ truancy, tagging, theft, bullying others with acts of violence or threats to life or property. Socialized aggression is associated with antisocial behavior and gang membership. PKU is a rare genetic disorder causing high levels of phenylalanine, an enzyme, to be produced in the blood. PKU can cause mental retardation if left untreated. Socialized Aggression is mostly caused by external factors (peers) whereas PKU is caused by genetic factors.

b. Developmental Characteristics: Socialized Aggression and PKU have similar developmental characteristics. Both Socialized Aggression and PKU are characterized by uncontrollable behavior problems. Socialized Aggression causes children to have uncontrollable behavior problems such as persistent lying or stealing, recurring difficulties with the law, tendency to violate the rights and boundaries of others (property, physical, sexual, emotional, legal), substance abuse, aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights, a persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria), inability to tolerate boredom, disregard for the safety of self or others, lack of remorse for hurting others, superficial charm, impulsiveness, a sense of extreme entitlement, inability to make or keep friends, lack of guilt, recklessness, impulsivity. PKU, if left untreated, will cause children to have developmental delays in their first year of life. PKU can also cause children to have uncontrollable behavior problems and irritable effects due to damage in the brain.

c. Classroom Strategies, Needs, and Strengths: The classroom strategies, needs, and strengths for Socialized Aggression and PKU have similarities. Socialized Aggression and PKU require the teacher to engage in individualized attention. Since Socialized Aggression and PKU deal with behavioral problems, it would be beneficial for a teacher to use strategies to prevent problems. A strategy that would work for both Socialized Aggression and PKU would be to establish clear consequences for inappropriate behavior. A teaching strategy that would be beneficial for both Socialized Aggression and PKU would be to keep the work load short and time limit short. However, PKU also requires a teacher to be conscious of a child’s diet and to make sure that he/she adheres to it.