Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Dave MontrealCan - Hello Cecese welcome to my session
Dave MontrealCan - Where are you located and what grade do you teach?
Cecesc - I don't teach sight impaired but do teach sp ed
T()PC@T - Hi--Dave.
Dave MontrealCan - Cecesc welcome glad to have you here
Cecesc - I teach profound and moderately mentally delayed young adults
Dave MontrealCan - Hello Topcat welcome
Dave MontrealCan - I have a resource mannula available to the classroom teacher called "Integration A Rewarding Experience" the book is available through me if you email me at : melanson@teachers.net
T()PC@T - Dave---I have a boy in a wheelchair who is considered legally blind. He can only use one arm. I feel real sorry for him,but do the best that I can for him.
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat have you been able to help him at all?
Locolouie in N.Y. - I recently commented that special needs children should be weighted so that clas size doesn' t exceed a managable number- how do yu feel about it
T()PC@T - We have to move him to different positions about every 30 to 45 minutes. It is hard to tell what he knows. He can only say mama.
Dave MontrealCan - Ny if the child is multiply handicapped I agree sometimes they cannot or do not belong in a regular classroom environment depending of the challenge
Locolouie in N.Y. - I taught HS in N.M. for 28 years , the last five working with special needs children- not so much by choice as by counselor whinning
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat what grade is he in?
T()PC@T - He has a caterac (misspelled) in one eye. Some days his eyes will follow or track really well.
Locolouie in N.Y. - How much can we help a child like tops in a regular classroom setting- without sacraficing the needs of the other students?
T()PC@T - He is 16 years old. He cannot feed himself and and is totally dependent on you.
Dave MontrealCan - Ny I am sight impaired myself and made it through the regular classroom environment I had determined parents who helped me to get through the difficult times but I am very glad I went through regular school
Liz/OH - locolouie, in an ideal world, all classes would be manageably sized, but i think some concessions about what a teacher can handle have to be made in regards to special needs students. so all the students get what they need/deserve
T()PC@T - He has one arm that he can use only.
Locolouie in N.Y. - I am deaf in one ear and had preferential seating through HS but the kids I have need so much that some days I felt like walking out into traffic
Dave MontrealCan - I went to university andam now self employed helping elementary teachers ot better understand the needs of sight impaired and blind children ;)
Cecesc - top, is this student in reg ed or self contained sp ed?
Locolouie in N.Y. - Liz one teacher shouldn't have to bear the brunt of educating special needs children in a reg classroom- but that
Dave MontrealCan - Ny do not give up I know how difficult it is but if you can reach even several children it helps so much
T()PC@T - I made a mobile that he can swat with his hands. We have switches for him to press. This student is self contained in my class all day.
Locolouie in N.Y. - sorry- hit the wrong key- but that's what happened to me
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat you are teaching a homeroom class
Liz/OH - i agree locolouie. and balancing the amount of special needs students seems to be at least part of the answer. along with proper assistance for both teachers and students
Locolouie in N.Y. - got to go a pick up the bro from work-good luck to all- God grants special favors to those with the patience and heart to teach those who need help the most. Kudos to you top
Cecesc - I have had several students like yours in self-contained classes, switches and mobile are good to work on visuals and tracking
T()PC@T - Yes---there are some that go out in reg. classes and some who stay with me. Also, I am supposed to have a jobsite program,but it hasn't started yet cause we are two teachers short.
Dave MontrealCan - Thanks Ny
Dave MontrealCan - I just want ot say this thank you to my parents who fought tirelessly in the 1970's to ensure that I went right through the regular school setting and through college and University
T()PC@T - This little fellow loves blinking lights and lights.
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat why is that ?
T()PC@T - I don't know----I have been trying to figure this one out since he is legally blind---or considered legally blind.
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat he may see the image of the light and see that as a positive for him
T()PC@T - I have asked the VI Teacher who only comes in once a month. She doesn't seem to know either.
T()PC@T - That is what I somewhat thought--also. Thanks--Dave.
Cecesc - I used lights for training focus on targets w/ some legally blind....does he understand cause/effect w/ switch and light?
Dave MontrealCan - Topcat it could be that he sees the light and light is positive for him and he reacts in a positive way
T()PC@T - He loves to look at himself in the mirror---also.
T()PC@T - No---Cecesc---he doesn't understand cause and effect. We have been working on this.
Dave MontrealCan - I have a friend who is totally blind but can see light and he alway sviewed light as a positive thing
Cecesc - Is he "cortically blind"--I've had several that were considered blind who had some residual vision
T()PC@T - Wow-----I have learned something already.
Liz/OH - same her dave.my friend is blind but loves to have the lights on as bright as possible during the day. she can tell light from dark and she just likes it
T()PC@T - No---as far as I know he isn't.
Dave MontrealCan - I appreciate light in my right eye as I only see light and shadows in that eye
Cecesc - Lots of things out here w/ visual and auditory reinforcement using switch/ including computer games
T()PC@T - We are working on getting him something so he can use the computer.
Dave MontrealCan - Here is the toll free number for the American Council of the Blind in Washington Dc 1 800 424 8666
T()PC@T - Thanks Dave.
Dave MontrealCan - also their website http://www.acb.org
Liz/OH - topcat, i think there is a "sight center" in houston, which i think is near you too. they may have something.
T()PC@T - Liz----I will check it out. Thanks.
Liz/OH - i've got to get running too. i have to finish a paper tonight. thanks dave and topcat.
T()PC@T - Dave, I hope that you don't mind me asking---but what kind of assistive technology do you use to communicate on the computer?
T()PC@T - Bye---Liz. Thanks.
sonja - Dave do help the hearing impaired
Dave Montreal - Topcat I have a very strong pair of readign glasses with double magnification on the left lense
Dave Montreal - Topcat i have just under 10 % vision in left eye and totally blind in right eye
T()PC@T - I hope that you didn't mind me asking. Wasn't it hard for you in school---getting your work?
Dave Montreal - Topcat it was at times but the way I look at it I was a pioneer in this
T()PC@T - Yes----wow---Dave you should be proud of yourself.
sonja - I am getting a hearing impaired student next year. She has a 2nd grade reading level . Could u give me some info on assistive technology. right now she has a transliterator with her, she is getting to the age that she doesnt want her around . she will be in the 6th grade next year.
Dave Montreal - Topcat thanksI want ot make a difference for teachers today
Dave Montreal - Sonja do you have a mic to allow the student to hear you as you teach?
sonja - she is wearing her=
T()PC@T - Well--I need to go. Thanks Dave for your help and information. You are making a difference for teachers. You are a very special person. Thanks again---and good night.
Dave Montreal - Sonja so you have a small mic that you wear?
Dave Montreal - Topcat night and thanks
sonja - she is wearing hearing aids.They told me at her arc meeting that the mikes interfere with the frequency on her aids.
Dave Montreal - Sonja what are the most frustrating things you are experiencing with her at the moment?
sonja - U mean an audiometer. U can wear one of those with her because that is on the same frequency. I am getting her next year.
sonja - I look upon this situation as a challenge.
Dave Montreal - Sonja yes as long as you can comfortably speak with her
Dave Montreal - I made it Sonja despite some teachers thinking I never would
Dave Montreal -
Dave Montreal - Sonja there is always support out there ot help
sonja - currently she has a hearing impaired teacher workling with her on the new concepts for the next weeks work, her parents take her over on sundays to get additional help from her former hi teacher.
Dave Montreal - Sonja do you enjoy having her in your class?
sonja - yes
sonja - I have had her sister. THe family and I are close.
sonja - Gotta go , dave!
Dave Montreal - Sonja I am glad some teachers do not want these students in their classroom
Dave Montreal - I want to thank Teachers Net for allowing me to have this session tonight have a good night everyone
