Of the high-incidence disabilities, the ones I have seen the most of in my classes are speech disorders and ADHD. Since I teach 4K, most of my students have not been tested for disabilities. However, the speech teacher does screen 4K students, and ADHD is fairly recognizable even if it has not been diagnosed. In order to help my students with attention issues, I try to keep them on track by using routines and consistency from one day to the next. For two of my students this year (that I suspect may have ADHD) I put a colored "x" on their spots on the carpet. Therefore, when they leave their spot, I don't have to argue with them as to which spot is theirs. I can simply say, you need to go back to your spot. I also try to give these students verbal cues and frequent warnings when their behavior is becoming too distracting. Additionally, I try to give them (and all my students) frequent breaks and opportunities to move around.
I am afraid that I am not adequately accommodating students with speech disorders. I really don't know how to help them. I only have a couple of students that receive speech therapy, but I have a hard time understanding half of the kids in my class. I know it is frustrating for some of them when they have to repeat things over and over. At times, I just want to agree with what they are saying so they won't become embarrassed.
I need to research ways to better assist students with speech issues. I will speak with our speech teacher and ask her for some specific things that I can do in the classroom to help them. I also need to do a better job of helping students with ADHD or emotion/behavior disorders make friends. I have one student that acts more like a two-year old than a four year-old. (I suspect that she will eventually have a diagnosis). She does not know how to play with the other children. She hits and pushes the other kids, and pulls at their clothes. The other kids think she is being mean, but I think she just doesn't know how to interact with other children. I would like to find some ways to get her involved in their play.
I believe professional developments on ways to assist students with high-incidence disabilities would be extremely valuable! I understand your frustation, especially with trying to best teach students with speech disabilities. I feel that your proactiveness in speaking with the speech teacher and doing research on your own shows your dedication to the profession and to the students you teach.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I did a long term substitution for a kindergarten and had a hard time understanding some of the students. I felt bad because I know that they get frustrated and embarrassed. I think it would be a great idea to find ways that could help you communicate with your students. I am sure it is very difficult for you to have students that struggle with socializing with other students. Unfortunately some students do not know how to play with others, and some students may have a disorder that hinders them to interact with other students.
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