Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Special need

    Posted 02-19-2023 02:01 PM

    What do the teachers think when a disabled child arrives in the classroom, what is his impression and his challenges?



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    Karla Flores
    Burlingame CA
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  • 2.  RE: Special need

    Posted 02-20-2023 09:03 AM

    Hi Karla,

    It really depends on the specific disability that a child has. Can you share more information about the child's development and if they have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan from the public schools eval process)? 

    Sincerely, Lauren



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    Lauren Stauble
    Consultant/Faculty
    Boston, MA
    feelthinkconnect.com
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  • 3.  RE: Special need

    Posted 02-20-2023 02:35 PM

    Hi Karla,

    Another good question!

    What kind of disability does the child have?

    Every disability would have a different kind of challenge...



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    Joanie Calem
    Music and Inclusion Specialist
    Sing Along
    Columbus, OH
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  • 4.  RE: Special need

    Posted 02-20-2023 07:05 PM

    If the question is in general how one prepares to manage a classroom and a disabled child who may or not have a diagnosis because we all expect "normal" children. The director warns me and what kind of disability he has or until El Niño arrives and we realize and look until that moment how to run a room like this



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    Karla Flores
    Burlingame CA
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  • 5.  RE: Special need

    Posted 02-21-2023 11:17 AM

    Karla you are correct that this is a very tricky situation since many preschool teachers are not trained in special ed, and many of the children coming into our schools now have invisible disabilities, such as behaviors resulting from sensory overload and trauma.  Often the parents themselves do not know that something is amiss with their child, they are just trying to survive. So they have not disclosed any kind of special need to the admin of the school because they themselves simply do not know what it is that their child is working with.

    Which is why I am trying to do the workshops that I do to train teachers in recognizing behaviors that stem from sensory imbalances and trauma.  Once a teacher can recognize that the child is not just spoiled or "bad", they can help put simple strategies in place.  Especially at this point in history where we are coming out of the Covid era policies, there are many children who have social deficits because they simply weren't in school, so they don't even have a disability, they just need to be taught the skills that they need to be in school.  They need to be directly informed about what school behavior is or isn't.  If they are afraid they need to be comforted.  We cannot expect everyone to be the same, or as you say "normal".  

    But all of that takes time and staff that has the training and can implement changes to help support the child and terefore help support the whole class.

    It does feel like El Nino for sure.

    If you would like to talk more about this you can also reach out to me personally.



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    Joanie Calem
    Music and Inclusion Specialist
    Sing Along
    Columbus, OH
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