Since reading The Mind Tree I have been looking at my students' behaviors in a completely new light. I feel like I'm more forgiving and patient with things that I didn't necessarily understand to be what they were.
Not to say that I am fascinated with ASD, but I am fascinated that every individual with ASD is SO DIFFERENT. This book has brought me to realize that things are NEVER what they seem, and that I should always think twice before making a snap judgement about a behavior (such as eye-contact or "rude" behavior/words). Tito, the writer, has really opened my eyes to see just a tiny fraction of what it would be like to live with ASD. I was Specially Educated by this book. I used to think very highly of individuals with ASD and those that care for them, but now I'm even more humbled by what they have to go through in life, and how much those that care for them actually do to help them to be successful.
I love books :) Especially autobiographies.
Now to laugh it up a bit...
When I brought the boys down to lunch today my para gathered all of the coats/hats/boots/gloves/snowpants/etc that he could from me and the boys and took them to their table while I made sure they all made it into the line to get food. Well... L and M were nowhere to be found when I turned around.
I figured L usually has to go to the bathroom at the WORST POSSIBLE TIME (part of being a kid, huh?) so that was probably where I would find him :) I walked over to the bathroom door to stand and wait outside and what do I hear?
SCREAMING.
I open the door and call in to them (I wasn't aware that M was in there at the time) and I look in to find L peeking under the stall door LAUGHING while M is in hysterics that someone is interrupting his "private moments"...
Oh my word. The joys of being a teacher :)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Resilience...
This has been a fast-moving, world-changing week for me. I'm an emotional wreck. One of my students drew this picture of his sister and himself as his safe place and it just blew my MIND.
I've cried so much today, but I was SO Specially Educated to see that even when you take away everything familiar that a child loves, they can still be so resilient and shine through it. OH. MY. WORD.
P.S. I don't know how to rotate the picture...
I've cried so much today, but I was SO Specially Educated to see that even when you take away everything familiar that a child loves, they can still be so resilient and shine through it. OH. MY. WORD.
P.S. I don't know how to rotate the picture...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Change
The student I was worrying about 24/7 seems to be in a good place lately (knock on wood!) so I've been trying to let go of my stress about THIS situation while I can.
I had a meeting with the Special Ed director, Social Worker, and mom of a possible new student last week. The school seems to be more than ready to hand him over to me, which made for an awkward moment/conversation with his mom since they didn't even ask if she was okay with the change before jumping the gun and asking for an IEP.
The new kid, H, is coming to visit tomorrow with his mom so that he can see me and meet the other boys before they make a final decision. I'm 99.9% sure that he's coming to me.
Nervous.
This boy seems to be... violent, to say the least. When he is angry he destroys everything in front of him, including property and people. I may be coming home with a black eye or two if I'm not careful. I just pray and hope that I can somehow reach this little guy and help give him the tools he needs to manage his anger.
I'm nervous about how this new "apple" may upset my "apple cart". Things are FANTASTIC right now in my classroom and I fear that I will see some backpedaling behaviorally.
I can handle this... I think. It's only 5. It may seem like 60 some days, but it's only 5. I'm lucky to have started where I did and with the group I did.
On a more positive note, I have been introduced to a woman who is facing a great challenge and it confirms in me that God gives us only what we can handle. She is more courageous in making the best of her situation than I can ever hope to be, but it shows me that I can be strong and make the most of what I have :) She helped to Specially Educate me today.
Nervous, but excited, to see how I can change this new boy's life.
I had a meeting with the Special Ed director, Social Worker, and mom of a possible new student last week. The school seems to be more than ready to hand him over to me, which made for an awkward moment/conversation with his mom since they didn't even ask if she was okay with the change before jumping the gun and asking for an IEP.
The new kid, H, is coming to visit tomorrow with his mom so that he can see me and meet the other boys before they make a final decision. I'm 99.9% sure that he's coming to me.
Nervous.
This boy seems to be... violent, to say the least. When he is angry he destroys everything in front of him, including property and people. I may be coming home with a black eye or two if I'm not careful. I just pray and hope that I can somehow reach this little guy and help give him the tools he needs to manage his anger.
I'm nervous about how this new "apple" may upset my "apple cart". Things are FANTASTIC right now in my classroom and I fear that I will see some backpedaling behaviorally.
I can handle this... I think. It's only 5. It may seem like 60 some days, but it's only 5. I'm lucky to have started where I did and with the group I did.
On a more positive note, I have been introduced to a woman who is facing a great challenge and it confirms in me that God gives us only what we can handle. She is more courageous in making the best of her situation than I can ever hope to be, but it shows me that I can be strong and make the most of what I have :) She helped to Specially Educate me today.
Nervous, but excited, to see how I can change this new boy's life.
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