Reflection #7

Special needs experience...
I interviewed Jim Bahr, a Special Olympics coach at Puyallup High School, who has a son that has a disability called Trisomy 18. Jared is 22 and attends the Puyallup High School off campus special education program. Even though Jared’s disability is technically called Trisomy 18, according to Puyallup High School IEP he is categorized as mentally retarded. When Jared was on campus he was placed in a self-contained classroom with ten other students, two teachers, and four para-educators. The school accommodates in many ways and basically will do anything the students need. Jared is considered to be high functioning and one of the top students in his class. Due to Jared being placed in a self-contained classroom, Jim explained clearly that he was more concerned with modification than he was with accommodation because Jared learns better that way. This was encouraging to hear as a future teacher because this is contrary to what other parents ask for. Jim said that the Special Education teachers let the students in class mingle with the other students as much as they can. Students at Puyallup overall are responsive to the kids that have special needs and are well known. The main concept I took away from Jim and his interview was that Jared responds better to teachers that do not try to sympathize or feel sorry for him. It is important to modify in curriculum but don’t treat them differently than other students. The connection effort should be the same. Overall it was very encouraging to hear from Jim about the success Jared has had at Puyallup High School and the emphasis the school puts on acceptance of all students. Furthermore it was very impressive to see how involved Jim is and was in his son’s life. I would consider his involvement unique to the overall special needs community. While participating in cycling events for special Olympics and observing classrooms I started to become curious in how much technology is integrated into a special needs classroom! Besides computers I have not really noticed any other technology used in a special needs classroom. It will be interesting to see how beneficial the technological world will be for special needs in the future.