Include them too !

Inclusion- Inclusion is a type of educational approach. In this approach children with special needs usually spend half to all of their school day with children who do not have special needs while having lessons adapted by teachers and other support staff to fit their needs.

With the web-based research I have been doing, I have come across some really different views about Inclusion  throughout Special Education classrooms everywhere.

Some think that it's  a hindrance on the teachers and other staff to have to incorporate modified lessons for the special needs children into the daily lessons that are planned for the typical needs children. Others believe this is what a special needs student needs and adapt and cater to the needs of the special needs child as well as the typical needs child.

Being that not much research has been done about the true outcomes and feelings of inclusion, I figured I would posse the question:

Do you as a teacher believe inclusion classrooms are beneficial?
Where you trained to be a teacher who works in an inclusive classroom?
If beneficial, how did your students benefit from this type of setting?
If not beneficial, why do you feel it didn't help or benefit your students?

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A Parents Love

I have recently had the pleasure to contact and interview a mom who has a 2 year old son, both living here in Saudi Arabia who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Please read our conducted interview below. Leave comments of questions or concerns in the comment box below.

Mustafa :-)

What is your child’s name?

"Mustafa"

How old is Mustafa ?

"2"

What is Mustafa's diagnosis?

"Trisomy21 down syndrome"

When did you find out about Mustafa's child’s special needs?

"We found out after birth it was never suspected during pregnancy so it was a huge shock to me and my husband"

What challenges has your family faced since Mustafa's diagnosis?

"Our biggest challenge was accepting and coping and facing the fact that our son has Down Syndrome. Feeling different emotions from shock ,sadness ,denial, to accepting it and finally coping with it. As well as doing all we can for Mustafa to be the best he can be."

"The other challenge was our society. At first some advised us to not tell anyone that their is something wrong with our baby. They even advised me to get pregnant right away. Anyways I blame it on the lack of awareness in our country. I don't blame the people because I was like them. I had no idea what Down Syndrome was. I thought it meant retarded."

What kinds of support have been helpful for you? (family, teachers, friends etc.)

"Alhamdullilah our family and friends support to us was unconditional, they were and still are amazing with us and with Mustafa. At first they didn't know what down syndrome was so they all searched it online and gathered so many helpfull information and some talked to doctors ,Others read books ,watched DVD's. They all stood by us and I thank god for each and everyone of them. But our main support came from an amazing woman who works at the Help Center.  Her name is teacher Nahla. When I met her Mustafa was 2 weeks old and I was so broken. She helped me become a strong mother for Mustafa.  I owe her my life because she is the reason I am living a normal life with my husband and children."

If I were Mustafa's teacher, what advice would want to give me so that he has the best possible education?

{ I would tell you} "Deal with my son as you would deal with your own flesh and blood.With Passion and patience 

Teach him with passion and, help him accomplish his goals with patience."  

What other information would you like me to know about your child?

"Enrolling my son to Help center when he was 2 weeks old is the best decision my husband and I made. Well Mustafa is only 2 but he came a long way. When he was a baby his muscles were so weak. He couldn't lift his head. With care and physical therapy by the Help Center his muscles became stronger, and he's looking great now all his muscle tone is strong and very normal."

What other information would you like other people to know about your child?

"I would like people to take a very good look at my son. He is happy and healthy. As you can see Down Syndrome is not an illness, its a condition. He is just a baby with an extra chromosome. He behaves as other children his age.  He eats sleeps and plays like normal kids. I would like people to wipe away the negative info they have about Down Syndrome and look at the children that are taken care of by their parents. Look at the children that go through the early intervention programs." 

How do you view special education in Saudi Arabia, in the next 10 years?

"It still evolving we need stronger awareness."

Is Mustafa enrolled in any services? (centers, schools, daycares)

"In the Help Center, on Tahlia St {Jeddah}"

What are some of Mustafa’s interests?

"Music, cars, toys, books and the beach." 

In what ways have you educated yourself about Mustafa’s special need?

"The internet helped me a lot. I also bought books and DVD's.{ I also} Spoke to doctors.  

I like talking to parents that have children with special needs and learn from their experiences." 

Mustafa and his sisters :-)

Thank you Nada and family for your time :-)

Practice What You Say You Teach

There are many places/ schools here in Saudi Arabia but specifically in Jeddah who claim to care for children with special needs. Now when I say "claim" I mean they say they do it or provide it but it looks otherwise.

I would first like to start by saying that it aggravates me to know that there are teachers teaching in schools but are not trained to do so. This goes for special education teachers, English teachers and the likes. Some schools, but I would venture to say most schools don't provide a way for their teachers to learn how to teach effectively. Professional development or teacher training should be something on-going for both veteran teachers and new ones, throughout the school year. Its very necessary to have this available to teachers so that they are EFFECTIVELY teaching students.

 I was reading a comment on Facebook, where a similar topic had come up and someone mentioned that teacher training may be seen as a burden here in Saudi Arabia more than a way to help teachers and students learn; I'm actually thinking the same. Though it shouldn't be the case, I can imagine teachers actually being upset that they have to learn something new. It makes me wanna SMH (shake my head).

Now back to the top:

While reading this article http://www.arabnews.com/offbeat/special-education-saudi-hidden-hazard I felt an overwhelming feeling of sympathy for parents of special needs children here in KSA. Though I have always, I feel it even more. There is no reason why parents should feel they are wasting money on their child's education, because schools and centers aren't practicing what they say they teach. If you as the school administrator advertise that your school/ teachers do X, Y and Z, do just that and be sure to have qualified experienced people who do it.

I have been to places here in Jeddah that claim they cater to children with special needs, when all it is is a daycare, and unfortunately the parents don't know or haven't realized this as being the case. Or it could be that the parents of these children are just interested in getting their kids help they are happy there is a place that will accept them. In order for parents to know and identify a "fly by night operation", they first need to know what one looks like. Now I wont really get into what one looks like, but I will say that as parents you should ask about the credentials of the people who will be educating your child. How much experience the teacher or therapist has as well as how the school or program goes about educating their teachers makes a difference. Additionally, I feel parents should go to these places and see whats going on in them before making a final decision. If all else fails, ask someone who is knowledgeable in the field to go with you to help you decide or help to ask questions you as the parent may not have thought of.

I have heard at least 5 different stories where children go to these schools or centers for 3 years, 5 years or even 10 years as 1 client of mine has and hadn't  progressed ANY!!! 10 years, really? The child still doesn't speak? This is shameful. As soon as this child got one-on-one, trained teacher quality help, the child now speaks and can communicate with others. Its sad.

As a parent, though not a parent of a special needs child, I would venture to say that we as parents like to make sure that our children have the best education available to them. Parents look for a safe place as well as a place that will educate their children and be off speakable quality.  But if a place lacks both, then what are the parents of these children left with???? The number of children with special needs is on the rise here. The number of disappointed parents are too.

What I would like parents to understand is, quality services for children with special needs isn't cheap as I have noticed parents complain about this. It takes a lot of time, concentration,materials and dedication to work with a child who has special needs. It doesn't come easy as all cases are different.

 It seems there is too less quality education options with too many special needs children.

Spinal Muscular Atrpohy Awareness Month

Before this month ends, I wanted to let you all know that it is Spinal Muscular Atrophy month. It is said that 4 out of every 100,000 people have this disease, hence it is a rare one. It caused by a genetic defect. This disease in incurable and in most cases the result is death as it causes severe respiratory infections. There are different stages of this disease.  Some symptoms of the disease in infants and children include:

• feeding difficulties
• poor movement
• low muscle tone
• breathing difficulties
• lack of oxygen
• respiratory infections

 For a little bit more insight about this disease, please look on this site.
http://www.smafoundation.org/

Opening of Autism Center in Riyadh

A new Autism Center will be opening in Riyadh, started by Defense Minister Prince Salman.....Yaaaaaay!

Read Article below:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article613509.ece

3,089 Hits!!!!- Thanks guys :-)

In gratitude of my blog and blog readers I would like to thank you all for the support of me, the blog and Helping Hands Educational Program.  As of April 8th 2012 we have reached 3,000 hits. Its not a whole lot but its a good amount for only having the blog running 7 months!  This post will include the most read and top 3 rated posts in I am Special With Needs! blog history.

Feel free to go back and re-read the listed posts as they are informational and obviously the most liked posts!

Number 1 rated post: Professional Insight: Hope for Exceptional Needs. Posted January 4th 2012.

This  was my first interview post on I am Special With Needs! Like I mentioned in the post, I had heard so much about the place, I just had to do an interview with the Director :-)

Number 2 rated post: Muscular Dystrophy: I should have watched those Jerry Lewis Marathon. Posted November 19, 2011

The title speaks for itself. Those of you who don't know who he is; he is an American comedian who hosted a television marathon in support of Muscular Dystrophy and the chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association until 2011. When I was younger I would always turn the channel to something I thought was more entertaining. But now I know better. Muscular Dystrophy is a disability that needs much awareness. 

Last but not least, the number 3 rated post is *drum roll please*World Down Syndrome Day posted March 22 , 2012

I loved this post because I was able to write about something that I saw with my own 2 eyes, here in Saudi Arabia. Seeing what I saw at the event was the start of a new educational and business beginning for me. I was moved and amazed by the initiative put forth in support of people with Down Syndrome. I was very happy to be there and happy to witness the growth of the society. 

So there it is folks, the top three loved posts. If you have not signed up to receive email updates of the blog posts please do so.

Thanks for the support again :-)
Ummaryam