tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post5444500631345600091..comments2024-02-25T10:24:30.868-05:00Comments on Special needs disability parenting BLOOM: Jan. 26 updateBLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-11064992146971849632011-01-26T21:38:53.497-05:002011-01-26T21:38:53.497-05:00Louise,
Since I started blogging on BLOOM (which ...Louise,<br /><br />Since I started blogging on BLOOM (which was a learning curve in and of itself), I learned one thing: your intellect and compassion matches my own, but I can't physically keep up. Let's just say, "Having poor motor skills really sucks sometimes!!!"<br /><br />Therefore, you keep punching those keys and I'll do my best to prioritize.<br /><br />First, let's talk about education.<br /><br />Yes, you're right in presuming that Ben's education is, to a large extent, designed and administered by his teachers and not the school board. <br /><br />For example, when attending Sunnyview Public School, seventeen years ago, there were teachers who didn't do a thing to better educate those students with the most severe or complex disabilities. Going to school was equivalent to attending a social event.<br /><br />However, there were a few outstanding educators who were determined to give us the education we deserved. They took the time to truly under how children with disabilities learn. For instance, my grade 5 teacher focued on the following four subjects throughout the academic year: math, reading, phonics, and history. We also had math homework every night. For, he understood that a disabled child learn, but required much repetition, twice as much as a non-disabled student. Needless to say, "I learned!!!"<br /><br />The following year, in grade 6, my new teacher focused on writing. Hence, I learned how to compose a journal and write a story, but there was no mention of essays until highshool. My grade seven and eight teacher, as I had the same women for two years, was the worst. I learned more from watching TV. A few years later, after graduation, my mom fan into the my fifth grade teather, the man who worked so hard to educate me, he said, "I wanted so desperately to continue teaching your son, but it the principal who decides which teacher is assigned to each grade." He begged and pleaded, but it was out of his hands.<br /><br />Therefore, the question still remains how do parents best educate there children in accordance with our current range of options?<br /><br />Although my answer is not simple, I believe it is the best way to assist this generation of kids.<br /><br />If you can afford it, send your child to Catholic school and lobby for the proper supports within the community. This will guarantee them a better education, access to the same teacher, for eight years, in accordance with a specific teacher, as each educator has his or her speciality. This will also further the goal of inclusion, as each teacher will have no choice but to get to know you and your child. <br />Believe me, there is a reason why kids who attend catholic school are head and shoulders above the rest.<br /><br />Moreover, regardless of what school your child attends, we can begin educating disabled youth ourselves, as there are volunters, parents, and educators reading this blog --myself included. The Library at Holland Bloorview is empty on the weekends. No one else is going to go out of their way to significantly educate these kids.<br /><br />Matt KamaratakisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com