I've seen children forced to play with shaving cream while they are screaming, "No, please! Too sticky!" or forced to lay on their tummy rather than sit on their bum to read a book. Some of it is so excessive for silly reasons that I just can't imagine why it happens. What is the purpose? So, I decided to ask a few questions about why the children have to lay on their tummy rather than sit on their bum. I got an explanation of how the child's muscles need to be built in their necks and lower jaw.
But still, I'm wondering why force them? Why not inspire them to follow our lead to lay on their tummy and play a fun game to strengthen those muscles? Do we have to practically sit on kids (yes, I've seen this) and make them do what we want just because they are autistic? Now, I have not spent a lot of time with autistic kids and I KNOW they all have behavior issues (this is part of how they are diagnosed).
My question is...can the Leadership Education model work with autistic children? I believe it can and will even be better for the children. The problem then becomes an issue of wanting results NOW rather than taking the time to inspire the kids. So it seems to be a matter of quick results over allowing time to make the changes in a more loving and respectful way.
Also, Helen Keller was not autistic and had the ability to learn these behaviors. I don't believe that the comparison is a good one, but still I can see that sometimes force is a matter of getting the child's attention long enough to inspire them. For the children in the class I'm working in they do have "mainstream" kids coming in to be an example, which I think is excellent in teaching them to communicate and model preferred behaviors. I just don't agree with the extreme force some of these kids are put through at times.
That's really sad that teachers feel they need to force children to play with shaving cream or lay on their stomachs. It seems almost cruel. I think my heart would break working in that classroom.
ReplyDeleteBoy, I am all over this! :0) Our youngest daughter likely has autism. And I have seen and experienced the special needs preschool program at our local public school, with our oldest son. This is why I love home schooling and then having the therapists in our home, so I can supervise things and see what they are up to! I am able to step in and inspire my kiddo's, when they don't respond to the way the therapists want to do something, and this is how it should be! I know them better than anyone even better than my therapists that I have had for four years! I have found that inspiration and learning style are key in helping kids to have a desire to learn! How grateful I am, to have the flexibility of inspiring each of my children in ways that speak to them personally, and help them desire to learn for themselves! As far as strengthening a child's muscles goes (even for a special needs child who has limited understanding), there is still always a way to inspire passion or at least a sense of imagination and wonder as a means for accomplishing the goal! When I do therapy with my kiddo's, they don't know their doing therapy. They think it's play! Whenever I am inspiring any "work" from my children, it's in the context of family work, instead of something I am inflicting on them! They certainly don't do it that way on the conveyor belt...a lesson our family had to learn the hard way. Keep on inspiring, Celeste! I know that others are learning from you! Hugs and Blessings! :0)
ReplyDeleteI was asked back by the teachers of this class to come back on some future dates, which of course I will. I was able to engage the students a little differently today, trying to inspire them to copy me or making the activity of laying "tummy side down" a game of being like a turtle. It went much better today and I was able to get all my students to do it fairly quickly this time. I also noticed that several of the kids gravitated towards me today and want me to be their "buddy teacher". The lead teacher even asked if I was looking for permanent position, they would possibly offer me a paraprofessional position. I actually make more per hour as a sub, and of course, want to homeschool. So, I thanked them and explained that I would LOVE to sub for them again, but am not interested in a permanent position.
ReplyDeleteRanee - I know you understand exactly what I mean. You inspire me in how you interact with your children and find fun ways to achieve their needs. You rock!