I need your help to let my students with autism "speak" with their families. I teach children with autism in a self contained school. Our school is currently undergoing wide spread budget cuts. Most of the materials that we use are teacher made. The children in my class are 6 years old, all boys, and are all non-verbal. Most of the activities that we do are hands on and concrete to help our children connect with people and establish relationships.
Because my students are non-verbal, they are unable to share with their families what they do in school. Because most of what we do is hands on, it can be difficult for parents to get a feel for what their child experiences throughout the school day. I have purchased 2 digital cameras with my own money throughout the years to chronicle our day and send home photos as well as DVD's that I make for the children. The feedback that I have gotten from parent's has been overwhelming. It affords the parents a way to communicate, replicate, and share the things we do with their children and their family. What did you do in school today is no longer a question with a silent response. My obstacle today is that my current camera took it's last photo last week when we went pumpkin picking. It is no longer in working condition and it is too old to try to repair. I currently spend quite a bit of my paycheck to purchase basics like paper towels,diaper wipes, snacks, art and seasonal supplies etc. I am just not able to replace it. I am saddened that my student's and their families are missing so much of what is happening each day in the classroom by not having a
camera to use.
I need a digital camera to continue to chronicle my students' days, to give them a voice of their own, a voice to be able to answer the question "What did you do today in school?"
Your help will make a huge impact on the lives of my students and the parents and siblings who love them dearly. Thank you.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mrs. Patricia Bergstrom and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.