tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post4676585798558667643..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : 8 ways to make inclusion work for kids with special needsEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-65510157237858297162012-09-08T11:21:27.777-04:002012-09-08T11:21:27.777-04:00Make sure goals and services for inclusion are inc...Make sure goals and services for inclusion are included in your child's IEP. Hold the special ed team and the school accountable for inclusion. We are long past the time when moms should be at school making the inclusion happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20518756423583811122012-09-06T09:00:17.651-04:002012-09-06T09:00:17.651-04:00As my son David is starting grade 5 in a new schoo...As my son David is starting grade 5 in a new school this year, I felt compelled to share the wonders he experienced during the second month of grade 2. My son's teacher J.R.(Kingston, Ontario) introduced the concept of "a circle of friends" into David's class. David and one other child were the obvious potential benefactors of the concept and we embraced it fully.<br />The idea was brilliant!<br />The teacher broke up the class into groups(4-5 participants in each) that would play different games together for morning recess each day. It was identified to the whole class-through generalized social stories, that some children were new to the the class, some kids never got a chance to play together and that some kids might enjoy doing something different than they usually did each recess...groups were re configured every 3 days over a two week period. During lunch and afternoon recess kids could play with whom they wanted. At the end of the two weeks the kids' time with the "circle of friends" could stop...<br /><br />A miracle happened that year, David's "Circle of Friends" experience - never stopped....the seed of inclusion was planted. <br /><br />A group of his peers, 4-6 kids, mostly girls, continued to seek him out for almost every recess. David had a group that wanted to play with him. Maybe they recognized his need, his vulnerability, or maybe they enjoyed how much David enjoyed it or maybe they simply reveled in the love David so easily shared with them. He had a great time that year and the next. <br /><br />Because of David's Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, his balance and physical skill set lag behind many of his peers. His "circle of friends" found ways to accommodate David's differences. <br />One day, his good friend Rachel brought a pogo stick to school. David loved watching his friends jump, counting each consecutive bounce. Rachel made it to 96 and David cheered at her accomplishment. David could not or would never be able to maintain the balance to even try the pogo stick. But that afternoon, a year after his teacher had introduced a "circle of friends"- <br />5 nine year olds girls held David up, balancing him on the pogo stick. They supported him while Rachel muscled that pogo stick - up and down - and David made it to sixteen bounces... The school yard cheered! <br /><br />Inclusion doesn't have to that big a deal-young kids understand- everyone should get a chance to play...adults just need to figure out ways to make it happen!davidzmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15837500075745465761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-91390158720700282802012-09-06T04:36:06.448-04:002012-09-06T04:36:06.448-04:00There are some excellent ideas here - especially t...There are some excellent ideas here - especially the need to prepare/plan ahead for parents AND teachers. <br /><br />As a special ed teacher with two of my own children with special needs I struggle with my own children in a school system where I cannot help them at all. They are successful when teachers plan ahead and are organized for creating an inclusive environment.<br /><br />When I am teaching I focus on creating a positive classroom community that celebrates strengths and differences, and emphasize the interconnectedness of all of us. Inclusion is a social philosophical idea, not just physically sticking someone into a space and hoping for the best. Everyone - parents, teachers/program leaders - is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all individuals feel welcome and can make positive contributions. Angelahttp://halfpastnormal.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-15855522015624448542012-09-06T03:21:54.018-04:002012-09-06T03:21:54.018-04:00My mom - God bless her - does the same thing that ...My mom - God bless her - does the same thing that Mary's mom did - she goes with me EVERYWHERE I try to be nice about it seeing as I do need help but really I am 21 I need some alone time :) Nishahttp://nisha360.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-46306999183364157882012-09-05T20:48:49.190-04:002012-09-05T20:48:49.190-04:00Great tips. My two favorites are play games - all...Great tips. My two favorites are play games - all kids love games. I also love the idea of helping other kids to understand a child's disability. Perhaps a school PT or OT can bring in adapted equipment for all the kids to try. It makes it less different and fun. Your Therapy Source Inchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06145002317929388735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-45935753903635184162012-09-05T07:40:38.273-04:002012-09-05T07:40:38.273-04:00I had no idea this school was right here! I really...I had no idea this school was right here! I really want to get the boys involved with dance. I'm sure they are too young for it now, but definitely something I'll keep in mind for when they are older!MarfMomhttp://marfmom.comnoreply@blogger.com