Brain Functions

Heather McNaughton

PLNU

GED 654

Spring 2015

Brain Functions

Cerebellum and Brain Stem

The frontal lobe is the largest portion of the brain. The frontal lobe is where higher level thinking occurs.

the frontal lobe manages everything from organization to problem solving. Judgement and personality are controlled in the frontal lobe.

Damage to the frontal lobe can result in

behavioral differences, impulsiveness, lack of

attention, and difficulty managing risks. Mood

changes and emotional shifts are typical with

frontal lobe trauma.

effective classroom strategies: peer buddy, wheelchair access, modified physical education curriculum, strategic environment, extra time for transitions

The cerebellum is involved in controlling voluntary motor functions, equilibrium, muscle tone, and balance.

Damage to the cerebellum results in loss of coordination

and motor control, abnormal eye movement,

tremors, and slurred speech.

The brain stem is the control center of the brain.

Breathing, heart rate, eating, sleeping, and blood

pressure are all associated with the brain stem.

Damage to the brain stem can be catastrophic

and is often equated to brain death.

effective classroom strategies: low light, minimize distractions, tasks broken into chunks, earplugs, headphones, remove unnecessary materilas from desk

Overview of Brain Functions

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/brain/#/human-brain_1001_600x450.jpg

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/Structure1.html

http://brainline.org

The temporal lobe is responsible for

auditory perception and processing.

Hearing leads to the production of sounds,

words, and overall speech. Memory is stored

in the temporal lobe.

Damage to the temporal lobe results in loss

of comprehension of meaningful speech,

the ability to speak, hear, and see, and

control sexual behaviors.

The Parietal lobe is the section of the brain where language

and math ability is stored. Sensory input such as touch,

pressure, and pain are received in this area of the brain and processed. The parietal lobe also assists with

processing visual images.

Damage to this area of the brain can

create deficits in reading, overall

comprehensive awareness,

directionality, and recognizing

familiar objects or people.

effective classroom strategies: speech to text device, hearing aid, FM system, reminder lists, visual aids, memory notebook, manipulatives, scribe, notes provided, predictable routine, picture schedule, extra time allotment for transitions

effective classroom strategies: manipulatives, charts, calculator, math aids and tools, text to speech device, memory notebook, task charts, reminder lists

The occipital lobe is responsible for visual perception and color recognition.

Damage to the occipital lobe results

in vision loss, blindness, color

blindness, and hallucinations.

effective classroom strategies: same environment, minimize structural changes in room, braille,

enlarged print textbooks, guide dog, aide,

peer buddy, color overlays, manipulatives