As far as my beliefs go towards if children can have special needs, my opinion does not waver. I know that Autism, ADHD, and numerous other diagnoses cause children to struggle in school on a daily basis. They need to learn in a particular way and certain behaviors are out of their control. If their needs are not met in school then their response is to act out towards their teacher, and if their teacher can not recognize these needs they will read their behavior as something very different. The child is not behaving out of defiance or rebellion, they simply can not stop the impulses their brain is telling them to do. It is a matter of true patience and understanding to be able to decipher the difference between a defiant child and a child who is struggling for other reasons, but it is one that every teacher must ask themselves.
This is a challenge for me while here in Korea. Special needs such as Autism or ADHD are not recognized in this country. I have been told that if a family has a child with Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy that they will hide in their homes and never bring the child out. This is absolutely heartbreaking to me, and seems completely ancient. They also do not beleive developmental disabilities such as Autism or ADHD even exist. It is not a fact I can ignore either, as God has put a child with special needs in my classroom. I could venture an educated guess what his diagnosis would be if he lived in the States, but basically he presents as a child with intense sensory issues, amongst other things. He is a child who will push and run into other children during PE class NOT because he is being bad but because he likes the sensation of crashing into them. (consequently he will have to sit in time out after doing this) He will draw through his workbooks because he like the sensation of ripping the pages and the intensity of the pencil on his paper, not because he hates math. (He will then get scolded for ruining his workbooks) He will continuously move around when he is supposed to be sitting still because he needs constant sensory input, not because he is bored with what someone is teaching. (by doing so he interrupts the lesson so will have to be reprimanded as well!) He is actually the smartest child in my class, but he spends so much time being scolded by teachers he doesn't get to enjoy so much of Kindergarten.
With all of these behavior concerns it is probably hard to imagine, but he is actually one of my favorite students! And since meeting him, I have struggled with the knowledge I know from the States which is "He needs help to succeed, you know how to help him" but then considering the harsh realization that "Once he is out of your class and in a Korean elementary school no one else will cater to his needs, so maybe you should toughen him up." There has been this battle in my head for many weeks now as to how to teach him to help him succeed for years to come. And then, a light bulb went off while I was shopping 2 days ago. I saw a beanbag which was quite heavy in the shape of a bear. It would be wonderful for a sensory child to squeeze and play with as well as heavy enough to be calming for them. I pondered over this purchase for 5 minutes until something inside me said "Go with your gut." So I bought it and tried it out the next day at school. During circle time where you have to sit still I told him to hold it in his lap. He could not throw it and he still had to pay attention and participate but he could hold it in his lap while we worked. And wouldn't you believe it..........he sat like an angel. His hands were busy the whole time, but he answered my questions and did not bother anyone else. He was thriving in his environment. From then on out I decided, "You need to help him figure out how to help himself. Show him what he needs, and he can be successful in the future."
I know America has its problems, but at least we recognize a child's special needs and do not ban them to mental institutions anymore or make families hide in their homes out of shame. We instead teach them and cater to their needs to enable them to be successful in their environment. My hope for this child is the same thing....to teach him to use that extremely capable brain of his to communicate what he needs at any given time to enable him to be successful. If that is something to keeps his hands busy, then FINE. God has sent me this child to change what his future looks like, and even if his own country is too blind to see what he needs, my eyes are wide open.
How lucky is this young child to have been put in your class? God makes no mistakes!
ReplyDeleteAmen Mama G! Wow how proud are you of your awesome daughter and the great gifts, tools God has blessed her with! Nicolette you are beyond awesome in my book for many reasons. What has been displayed through the last two posts is just one of the many reasons, which is your passion for children to not only reach them where they are but to help them to go further and succeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandon!
DeleteNicolette you are a great teacher, you are unique keep up the good work!! Love Meme
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