Understanding of Disabilities
This information was great. I now have a more knowledge on they different types of dissablities there are and how we as an higher educational institution handles the difference. I have now printed out all of the information so that I have the opportunity to reflect back at it as often as I need to.
JENNIFER,
Great examples. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with the class.
Sarah Smoger
this course did remind me of all the different disabilities that students face today. I have 1st hand knowledge, my daughter was born deaf and labeled austistic at the age of 7. When you are looking at any person we don't know exactly why they are doing the things they do, but to them it may mean something very important to their daily function. My daughter has taught me that we need to look at their perspective of the thought process. It isn't her fault that she has to go out the same exact door she came in and there can be no subsitutions or alternatives. She has to wash her hands very often just things that may seem little will stop them from being able to go on because their brain cant comprend the change so it takes longer to get a change to be OK with her. Having my daughter has helped me to look at each disability as a individual disability some people can develop ways to cope better than others. So just because a person is deaf doesn't mean they can communicate by sign lanuage they may need picture boards. At least the educational system has improved since 1982 and they are becoming aware of some of the less noticable disabilities and trying to accommadate those students as well.
Carol,
Wonderful! I'm so glad that you found this particularly helpful. It's taken me a long time to become an "expert" in the field-mostly through trial-and-error and with the help of some very dedicated and passionate learning disabled students.
Sarah Smoger
