Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Statements

Jenna's Statements

1. "Providing services from multiple disciplines, such as education, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and physical therapy, requires coordination and cooperation."
1. When working with students who might be going this process, I need to remember that a positive attitude that is cooperative and organized will best benefit the student. Additionally, all these other doctors, therapist, and social workers have spent time previously in order to benefit the child. Working with them cooperatively would give them the respect that is deserved in this situation.
2. "[McWilliam's interview technique] not only helps the family and interventionist identify areas where assistance is needed, but also identifies ways that the family is already solving problems that may be applied to other areas of the day."
1. Communicating with parents of students that receive special education because they may have techniques that their child are accustom to that can be implemented in the classroom. The parents know their child better than I do majority of the time, and I need to remember that.
3. "Last, on an individual level, finding ways to instill a vision of hope in families with young children with disabilities and to open the world of opportunity through community involvement are essential."
1. I can not imagine what might be running through the minds of parents with young children with disabilities. Ones who have not been educated on such disabilities, I am sure will find it difficult to find hope among all the paperwork and all the differences that society puts on children who are different. Being a ray of hope and a positive reinforcement for them maybe when no one else is, could make a world of difference in their family.

Tyler's Statements

1.       The entire family constellation is affected by the presence of a child with a disability. The various subsystems and individual family members are impacted. No two families are likely to deal with an exceptionality in quite the same way.

a.       No child with disabilities is the same, and no family that deals with one is the same. Also it affects individual family members in different ways so it is very important to remember this when dealing with the child and family members.

2.       If the values, traditions, and beliefs caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are not addressed, then the development of optimal relationships will very likely be hindered.

a.       If we do not take into consideration other peoples values and beliefs, they are more likely to think of them as invalid, therefore they begin to think of themselves as invalid. As teachers it is up to us to uplift our students for who they are.

3.       Service providers must be genuine and exhibit a caring attitude, using active listening when communicating with family members and other significant adults.

a.       People can tell when you really care and when you don’t so it is very important that you really are sincere.

Tori's Statements

"When providing services to young children and their families, cultural and socioeconomic considerations must be anticipated and made... Each family should be treated as a unique family..."

• Through this quote, I realize that with every student I encounter that may need special services, I need to clear my mind of what has happened in the past. I cannot go into the situation with stereotypes, past history, or anything I may have heard about the family already. Each family deserves a fair and equal chance for their child, despite their status culturally and socioeconomically.

"The connection between poverty and a young child's development is overwhelming... lack of prenatal care, proper nutrition, and preventative health care as some of the reasons for the strong relationships between disability and poverty: "Children living in poverty are more likely to have a disability than their peers who live in middle and upper-income families."

• Although this quote makes very much sense logically, I am so surprised that I was not realizing the connection between the two earlier on. After thinking about all of the things that I was given as a child, such as proper nutrition and medical attention, I was very lucky compared to the sweet souls that may not have had money for these things and sometimes leading to results such as a hard time developing in poverty as a child. This quote simply breaks my heart.

"Short of all human services becoming a natural and valued part of a community's infrastructure, the sociopolitical sentiments and values of the time will continue to affect the future of early childhood intervention."

• This quote just reinstates the importance of care of children in early stages. Making sure they have medical care, a good home care, etc. so that they will grow greatly. This quote reminds us of the fact that if our values are not on good services for all humans, even the infants, we will greatly be affecting their futures.

Alex's Statements

“Due to malleable nature of development in very young children, advocates sought to include this group, citing the belief that if intervention is received at an early age, the impact may be the greatest.” Pg. 73

            This statement stood out to me because it showed the significance of early intervention. The sooner a disability is discovered, then the more can be done about it sooner. Another reason this stood out to me is because I have worked with a student since she was in first grade. She is now in fourth grade. Ever since I started working her I noticed signs of dyslexia. However, she never got diagnosed with it until this year in fourth grade. If the signs had been noticed earlier on then intervention would have been very beneficial to her learning. However, she is even further behind in school because no intervention was talking.  In the future I will speak up when I notice these signs because I realize how early intervention can be very beneficial.

“A philosophy that all children from birth through age 21 years have the right to be educated with typically developing peers and attend their neighborhood child care centers and school must be adopted and enacted fully.” Pg. 79

            I really liked this point because I did not know that education was legally provided until they were 21 years old. I had a friend in high school and her sister had down syndrome. I never knew why she stayed in school so much longer than us. After reading this section and statement, it all makes sense. One part about this statement that will be very beneficial to me when I become a teacher is that all students have the right to interact with “typically developing peers.” I need to make sure as a teacher that I include every student in every activity and encourage interaction between each other.

“Families desire hope as a means of looking ahead to a future where their children are valued and perceived as contributing to the world as full members of society.” Pg. 80

            This statement really caught my attention because it is talking about focusing on the positives and giving hope to families. I want each student in my future class to feel significant and important. Not only do I need to make them feel significant, but I also need their families to feel included in their learning process. The more the family is included and encouraged, the more they will be willing to help and take my advice as a teacher. Each student needs to be treated fairly, and I want parents to see that as truth in my future classroom.

Courtney's Statements

• "As previously mentioned, providing early intervention services to young children in their natural environment became a focus of service provision. . ."
• It is important that children are provided services in their own environment that way they are are comfortable and will be able to rise to their fullest attention. 
• "In the 1970s, professionals expected parents to defer to their opinions and focused services for young children with disabilities on teaching the parents how to conduct intervention with their child."
• It is great that parents are becoming more involved in the process of their childs education and development.
• "Providing services from multiple disciplines, such as education, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and physical therapy requires coordination and cooperation.
• This statement stood out to me because I am excited to work with so many people to benefit these children's lives.