Early intervention is, arguably, the most impactful part of development for students with different abilities. A safe space to imagine, structured social scenarios, and endless exploration are essential elements to an effective program.
In our school, every student requires individualized instruction and the students in my classroom have needs beyond cognitive and language support.
Many of my students use wheelchairs and are beginning walkers. Some of them eat or drink through a gastronomy tube. Some
In my classroom, students are impacted with different orthopedic abilities, developmental delays, and visual impairments. Every student at our school received a free meal each day and students come from all over the city to receive their intervention. Giving the opportunities to explore their environment is critical to their learning. It is my goal as their teacher to give them the most opportunities to learn and grow in their world.
My Project
One thing I've learned this year is that it is challenging to get all of the materials that would best support my students. One reason? School budgets. Another? Not quite knowing exactly what they need yet. And the biggest challenge? These things are expensive.
With such a wide range of physical abilities among my students, they all deserve to have a place to sit at the circle where they are supported physically, so they can feel supported emotionally to interact with peers and built relationships and skills.
Students who are dependent on adults for all positioning of their legs, trunk, neck, and head are often limited in their interactions with peers at circle time due to differences in the height of their wheelchair and the ground where independent students sit. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get these adapted seats in the classroom when students receive services from outside agencies, such as the hospital or other physical therapists in the home. By having a seat on the same plane as other students in the classroom that fits their special needs, these kids who need more support can feel included, important, and access their education more wholly.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Noelle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
