I have made several different changes to my project since the last time that I posted. I feel that they are more usable in an ongoing manner and better fit the goals that I had for this class and for the project. My main objective for this project was to inform more people about what a Sensory Processing Disorder is and how it affects people that have it and teachers and parents that come into contact with people who have the disease. One of the biggest obstacles that I have seen is although it affects people in a large way there are not many people out there who know what it is or where to turn for help.
I have changed my short term goal to creating a resource manual for use at my internship site. I wanted to provide a resource for both parents and teachers. This book will include basic information about the disorder, checklists for teachers to use if they suspect a problem, a handout to use with parents, and some different ideas to use in the classroom, as well as a place for teachers to evaluate how a plan in the classroom worked and how they would use it differently.
I know that I would read through these evaluations of the classroom strategies to get new ideas, especially when dealing with a child with a sensory processing disorder. My question to my colleagues is whether or not you would find these useful in your classroom as well, or is this something that will get looked over? I feel that creating a data base for teachers to go to look at things that have worked in the past and then to see how they can modify them to fit their classroom
One big issue that I have come across is that I feel that people know too little about this disorder and therefore do not see the same concern for education as I do. For me, my personal experiences of working with children that have this disorder are what sparked my interest in the disorder and have shown me the need to educate others on it too. I have found many diffrnt stories via YouTube and Facebook that I feel are a useful took in helping to dirive home the points I am trying to make for my presentaions. I think that visual aids are what will help others to see how much this disorder imacts the people that have it.
Has anyone else had a child in their classroom that had a sensory processing disorder or suspect that they had one? If so could you share your story with me? I find that stories seem to drive home the urgency of the issue. They allow others to make a personal connection to something that they may not otherwise have known anything about.
I am sorry I have not had any experience with sensory processing disorder. I have had children in my class I suspect may have an issue but I have never had a child who actually had that disorder. I think your idea is great for the center. Many times as teachers we do not have the time to reaserch and gather that information when it is most needed. I think a book in the center would be very helpful when a teacher has a concern. My thoughts would be does the center have anyone as a resource that can visit the program and support the teachers. I know in Illinois the resource and referal agancy has a mental health consultant that will visit the center, observe a child and provide feedback on any needs the child may have as well as provide feedback to the teachers about some best preactices to try with the child. I think something or someone like that would also be helpful. I would also consider adding any reasources you can on ways to imrpove the classroom or activity ideas as a support as well.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbor's whose son had this and she lent me a book she found to help him "The Out of Sync Child" I believe. I know she had a hard time (he's 15 now) because there isn't a lot of attention on this disorder as there is on others. I think a resource guide would be awesome for all centers. I know as a teacher it is difficult when I know there is something that needs to be addressed, but I'm not sure what. Resource guides would be great to have to help point teachers and parents in the right direction.
Good luck!