Sunday, September 2, 2018

Special Needs 1 - Applying Strategies and Best Practices


Kali’s Other Health Impairment
Kali’s diagnosis of Lupus allows her to be served under the diagnosis of Other Health Impairment.  I would have concern after seeing that she has several absent periods with her login history.  I would be impresses that she took the initiative to email me as most teenage students do not take that type of role in this situation.  I would email her back to discuss my expectations but would follow it up with a phone call.  I have learned that oftentimes, phone calls are more personal and give more detail than emails. 

I would offer to meet with Kali in a synchronous session time to go over material that she has missed.  If she cannot attend my regular hours, I would work with her to find a time that would work for both of us.  I would also contact the case manager about seeing if I could reduce her coursework schedule.  There are typically items that are not considered the “meat” of the course and could be eliminated as required assignments for Kali.  Most importantly, I would stay flexible with Kali.  Students who have health issues such as this can have some periods of time where their focus is not on their schoolwork, it is on there health.  And ultimately, that is where is should be!

Hopper’s Dysgraphia
Hopper’s diagnosis of dysgraphia allows him to be served with an individualized education plan.  I would start by checking in with his case manager to see if she has any suggestions on what she thinks would best help Hopper.  I would also suggest giving him the option of submitting audio recordings of his reports or typed reports instead of handwritten reports.  Students with dysgraphia typically struggle so much with their writing that I would need to keep in mind what a challenge that is for him. 

I would also be concerned with Hopper’s confidence in himself.  I would try to encourage him and let him know about all the good things he is doing.  I would let him know I can see what great effort he is putting forth and encourage him that hopefully being able to submit his reports in another method (like I suggested) will help his grade because I want to focus on mastery of the topics. 

No comments:

Post a Comment