 |
What was your first experience with a person with a disability? Is there any advice you could give to others from your experience?
|
|
Before becoming a teacher, my first experience was with my own son. He was a nonverbal communicator until about age 5. His birth was normal. Reflecting back, I can only contribute his disability to to a fall that occurred when he was 2 1/2 years old. He fell down a flight of concrete stairs. He went into convulsions and I rushed him to the hospital. He underwent a series of tests but no brain damage could be found. Up to that point, his development was normal. After a year, I noticed some delays. I contacted an infant development program and he was taken through a series of evaluations. He qualified for speech services. I also requested material to work with him. I also read a lot of material to help him. I was told by preschool teachers that he would cause problems and they didn't know how to work with him. As a caring parent, I insisted they teach him. It was his right. In grade 2, I also had him tested for learning disabilities. He qualified for reading. He was in Special Education all through school. I was his teacher. I found a job as a special ed. paraprofessional. I helped him and a couple of other students throughout school. They graduated in 2000.
He is now employed as a bricklayer. He is a member of a union and feels successful. He wants to go to college one day and if I'm still here--I'll probably teach him there, too.
I also went back to college during this time. I now teach the fourth grade. Eventually, I want to go back and get a master's degree in special education. Teaching my son and experiencing my son's life has given me a lot of experience with working with students that have disabilities.
|
|
My first encounter with a person with disabilities was with a child who had F. A. S. She was three years old and she had no vocabulary until age five. She was very uncoordineted, and unsteady with her walking. She needeed alot of attention, and close supervision at all times because most of the time she was not able to make the right decisions by herself. I guess she really had a hard time knowing right from wrong, even as she grew older and became a teenager she had a tough time making small decisions. Now as an adult I get to visit with her from time to time, and see that she now has a child of her own but still has many problems with her thinking strategies. I often wonder if she is able to take care of her child today. I think that maybe she isn't ready for a child of her own yet, even though she is now 23 years old.
|
|
My first experience with special ed, I was told "Must be kept very confidential, keep a track record called a iep." Then some one brought the child and left, next lessons and homework were completed by the Special Education Staff person....
My first reaction was challenge,and that the personnel should be more involved,and what physical changes have to be made, budgetary monies available, and time management. I need assistance, time, and training to do their dance'''''
|
|
My first experience with a child was when I was working in a Head Start program.This child was 4 years old with Down Syndrome. When they told me that I would be working with this child and I was scared. Not knowing what I was going to get myself into with no training.I didn't know how to handle her when she acted out or was stubborn |
|
My little boy he was geting mad about school work when he try to do school work he did not want to do the work. I try to help him but he gets mad. I am work with him at all time |
|
My son's girlfriend has a brother that is Autistic. He looks very thin and pale. He can be asked a question sometimes he will respond but most of the time he just sits there. If we try to get him to get off the car, he would brace himself and then it would be difficult. We would ask him to get off the car. Then we would try to take him by the hand. It usually ended up with him hitting his sister in the face. The one incident that I recall is when we went to Minot to the home that he is staying in. We picked him up. He was willing to come with us. He wanted to be with his sister. We drove to the Taco John fast food place and ordered some food for him. He didn't eat his food. He looked around alot as we traveled back to the home. When we got there he gave us a hard time. One of the ladies came out. He seemed to pull pack even more. Then another lady came out after we tried for awhile. He seemed afraid of this lady. He was reluctant to move but moved quickly when he did. I think we spent a good 45 minutes trying to get him out of the car.
On the way home I did start to ask questions of his sister. She said that his autism started when his father and mother separated years earlier. She said he was not always like this. |
|
During my second year teaching high school English, an incoming senior student was a non- reader. His cousins would read the assignments to him and he would give them answers. Just before Christmas when we read for a play, he finally told me he couldn't read. His cousins said everybody knows he can't read. He came from another town but I knew the family personally. In fact I went to school with his mother who had since passed away and he was living with his uncle. I think he functioned rather well considering he figured I knew he couldn't read. This was shocking for me to find out he had come this far in high school without any special training to help him only his cousins.
|
|
At first it was unknown, so when I had found out it was awkward. but it was inevitable for her.so when I finally coped with it it was not so bad after all. just that she would need alittle help and that she is very able to do the same thing as I could. but towards the end,her and I got along very fine so when I had to finish the weekend off I was happy I was not in her shoes, and no longer took my eyesight for granted. |
|
You have to get the information on whats wrong with your child from the doctor. Attend special training for that disability. You follow the recommendation to help your child the best you can. |
|
My name is Lonnie Allery and I grew up with a brother that had cerebral palsy. So I just grew up with all of his disabilities. So to me, it was normal. Because I didn’t look at my brother as being different or handicapped. |
|
Cheryl Arpan
My first experience working with a disabled student was frustrating for both I and the student. I didn’t have any prior knowledge or experience so that’s why it was so uncomfortable and frustrating. I ended up quitting partly because of that experience, I felt helpless and overwhelmed. I thought the teacher could’ve used better discretion. It almost seemed like she didn’t want to deal with that student. So, she had me work with him.
|
|
This is my first year teaching students with disabilities. I have 3 students, 2 with cystic fibrosis and one with autism. One of the boys with cystic fibrosis is completely disabled. The other one functions at about a 3-4 year old. The one with autism can function with playing but not academics. Since it is kindergarten all the students are learning new things. I get these students in the afternoon and the other students have never said anything about these students like what’s wrong with them. The students seem to be compassionate for them and enjoy their presence.
|
Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc.