I have enjoyed thinking about this blog topic throughout the
week. I have recently switched professions from a classroom teacher
(kindergarten autism) to a developmental interventionist working with toddlers’
ages 0-3 on the spectrum. I go into
homes or other social settings (daycares or preschools) and work with families.
I show them strategies to work on building communication, play skills, social
skills and behavior. One of the pieces
within this field is a peer program. A
child with autism participates in a peer program with a developmental
interventionist 1:1. The program is in a
preschool setting, twice a week for two hours. During this time appropriate
play and social skills are the focus.
Knowing that background, if I could conduct research on any area in
early childhood it would be the benefits of using typical peers to model
appropriate behavior, provide appropriate social interaction and play skills to
children with autism. I would create my own peer program that goes beyond the
classroom and into the community as well. I believe the benefits of this would
impact both children with autism and typical peers. It would provide the children with autism
appropriate models leading to future independence and inclusion while teaching
typical peers patience and tolerance for children different than them. It would
benefit families as well. Parents’ would
have support as well. I strongly believe
children with special needs should be integrated into general education and
community settings. By providing a program that teaches these essential skills
while allowing access to typical peers equals success for everyone.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great professional story and idea for a program. You are young and yet I can tell an already gifted educator! You would of loved coming to my classroom. I worked with varying needs children, but my unit was in a nursing home. We integrated and planned activities with the Elders. Zoe the little girl I mentioned had a special Elder she visited with all the time. I am not sure who was the "peer" role model here. I can definitely say both the Elder and Zoe benefitted greatly. I too worked with a little boy who was Autistic; Andre, he too learned so much from spending time with the elders. He was a brilliant little guy. My class too consisted of typically developing kids, and Andre flourished in his social skills, by having the opportunities to hang with his peer group. I agree with you hole heartedly, that peer modeling is so important. My own four kids, loved coming to my classroom, from the time they were old enough, I gave them a free pass from school and had them come and volunteer and I can tell you it taught them some great lessons in regard to kindness, empathy and tolerance. I wonder if you could write a grant and create a funding source to launch your idea/program/research!!! ??? You should try!!!!
I bet you yourself are a great mentor to other professionals. Your job is an important one. So many daycares and educators need support from special education teachers!!
This was an amazing post!!! Very inspiring!!!