Children and Parents: Solutions

Solution Suggestions

Overview

• look at the big picture (encourage self-worth, confidence, endurance/determination)
• help them help themselves
• keep things in perspective
• become own expert
• advocate for child
• parent influence always wins
• take charge of child's education, identify how child learns best, think life success rather than school success, emphasize healthy lifestyle habits, take care of yourself too, 
• *also includes links to other sources

Friends

• making friends: talking to child's teacher, sibling relationships, avoid singling out, facilitate social events, counseling, emotional coaching, practice skills
• Self-control
• communication
• social cues
• following social rules
• Bullying (fact sheet)
• 10% of all children
• mostly during middle school years
• verbal and social bullying
• name-calling, teasing, spreading rumors, physical, social isolation, threats, stealing, sexual comments/gestures  

Parents: Common Problems

Common Problems Parents Face

• risk of child abuse
• unheard advocate for children

Personal Example

     My borther was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age (like 1st or 2nd grade). He wasn't severe enough to get on an IEP. My mom fought to at least get him on a 504, but apparently he still didn't qualify. He ended up getting held back, went to summer school throughout middle and high school, and didn't graduate from high school until three years after the rest of his class (he got his GED). 

Live Strong Article

• emotional
• guilt, "why"/spiritual crisis, blame others parent, disappointment of future plans/goals for child
• physical exhaustion and stress
• care needed for feeding/bathing/moving/clothing/diapering, dr's appointments, constantly watching and on guard
• school related issues
• private vs public vs homeschooling, advocating, montitor interactions, transportation
• financial
• medical supplies, appointments, caregivers, private education, tutoring, adaptive learning equipment, specialized transportation

Learning Disabilities of America Article

• how much of behaviour is nature, how much is nurture?
• coming to terms with "different" not being the same as "inferior"
• on their own in regards to how/when, set own rules/routines/expectations
• discovering problem (minor set back or actual disability)
• understanding behaviours and disciplining 

Children: Common Problems

Problems Children with Disabilities Face

History

• institutions
• poor houses
• abandoned
• training/cure schools
• asylums
• electroshock
• steam rooms
• restraints

Now

• abortion
• separate schools
• group homes
• don't qualify for services
• teachers don't recognise needs
• parents and IEPs
• case laws (how much care is appropriate and who is responsible)

(9:24-10:52)

Common Challenges

• making friends: hard time b/c of learning and attention problems
• communication, listening comprehension, lack of self-control, overactive, taking turns, controlling emotions, accepting other viewpoints, misreading/missing social cues
• More likely to be: unaccepted by peers, socially alientated from teachers and classmates, viewed as lacking social skills, not chosen to be part of the play group, confrom to peer pressure
• impact: poor self-esteem, low confidence, anger, helpless, hopeless, anxiety
• how to help (found in "Children and Parents: Solutions" post)

My role as an EIS (Early Intervention Specialist)

Early Intervention Specialist

General Overview

• Description
• special education from birth to kindergarten
• work in preschool classroom or within home
• work for districts, regional programs, medical providers, private education companies
• Clients: physical/cognitive/behavioral/communication delays, IEP is developmental-not academic, done via games and exercises

• day in the life
• travel to homes
• use variety of strategies and assistive technology
• involve parents
• principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
• meet with staff/parents to review goals and draft IEPs
• write reports and meet with other specialists

• licensing
• complete undergrade degree (and usually masters)
• accredited prep program-includes student teaching

• areas of specialization
• Speech and Language
• physical therapy
• autism spectrum disorders

• career path
• El Ed, preschool, BS child development, El Ed or liberal studies
• administrators

• national organizations
• National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• The Council for Exceptional Children (Early Learning)

Additional Information

• salary
• about $52,000-$55,000 when established
• about $25,000-$38,00 beginnig 
• responsibilities
• liaison between familes and service providers (therapists, social services, medical personell, education system)
• direct services to child (in classroom, home, care-based programs)
• team member in developmental experience
• taking notes on progress, address parental concerns, assessments, treatment, testing, creating learning plans, activities, information
• skills
• organized, collaboration, high energy level, multi-task, know medical terms and conditions, physical stress, jump through hoops
• degree/education
• bachelors with endorsement in EI or ECSE (covers developmental milestones, assesments)
• certification (via teaching experience, testing, gpa)
• perfessional development
• master's degree
• rewards and challenges
• atypical enviornments
• difficult clients/family situations
• child achievement
• getting started
• education
• experience (working in care settings with disabilites, childhood centers-easter seal clinic, service hours, networking)
• future outlook
• real good (higher standards of qualifications, current legislation-more opportunities, varied organizations