2. Zenna’s story You have observed a typical development in many areas of development in Zeena. Yesterday, her mom was told that Zenna has Epilepsy. She asked you “ What do I do now?” and begins to weep. She also tells you that her doctor has recommended she stays on complete bed rest for a difficult pregnancy. She is at risk of delivering the unborn baby prematurely. Citation: Class notes-Class notes:McCaia, Lisa. “Meeting the Needs of Children with Special Needs Assignment." Inclusion of Children With Special Needs. Centennial College. B1-16, Scarborough. 14 Jan 2011. Class lecture. Music: Undiscovered-James Morrison
3. What is Epilepsy Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person has a tendency to have recurrent seizures, due to sudden spurt of electrical activity in the brain/ when the brain in overloaded with electrical activity. Epilespsy also causes a temporary disturbance in the messaging systems between brain cells A child with epilepsy can have two types of siezures: Petit- mal seizures-brief, small lost of consciousness Grand mal seizures-lose consciousness, violently jerking muscles, may stop breathing, lose bladder control, bubble saliva Citation:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.php Class notes:McCaia, Lisa. "Children With Impaired Health and Concern." Inclusion of Children With Special Needs. Centennial College. B1-16, Scarborough. 4 Feb. 2011. Class lecture.
4. Meeting The Needs Of The Child I would re-arrange the learning space for Zeena to be away from any book shelves or other furniture that may cause any injuries I would change the environment to meet Zeena’s academic needs, although it is not mentioned in the case study children with complex partial seizures in the left side ( where language is handled) often have problems working in a noisy environment. Therefore I would move the child into a quite place, so they can they can calm down and be more attentive. If Zeenais to have seizures from the right hemisphere, where they tend to be distracted in an environment with many objects to look at in the room. I would provide her with a study booth like setting facing the wall with limited things to look at to keep her attentive. Citation: http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1064603376
5. Meeting The Needs Of The Child cont... As an educator I would create an open minded learning environment for Zeena’s special need, as well as speaking to the other children about the condition and how it is not contagious; by doing so I can help raise awareness of Zeena’s special need and reduce the fear of what may happened if she were to go into seizure. As an ECE I would provide the childcare centre with variety of books on children with epilepsy as well as many other children book with characters that have different special needs to help them understand that everyone is different and should not be excluded Assign peer tutors or peer helpers, to help Zeena in the playground/ field trips, as well as to help boost her social interaction with others. As an educator I would like to introduce parents and the children to The Kids on the Block to help the children learn about different special needs and medical conditions so they know how to react to others in a postive and friendly manners. Citation: http://epilepsy.about.com/od/managingyourepilepsy/a/goingtoschool.htm, http://special-needs.families.com/blog/ten-ways-to-help-your-child-with-epilepsy-succeed-in-school
6. Teaching Styles.... I would teach Zeena in teaching using an auditory style Teaching her using visual material, for examples using PECS, as well having miniature flips cards that she can carry around with her to help her with different transition periods I would also try using a thematic approach, to help Zeena retain new concepts. For example the theme can be numbers, I can come in with activities such counting counters to help Zeena retain that mathematic concpet. I would also communicate with her mother to find a common approach so she, herself can help Zeena develop her academic learning styles as well as keep a journal/communication log for her mother to read about Zeena progress at the childcare. Citation: http://epilepsy.about.com/od/managingyourepilepsy/a/goingtoschool.htm, http://special-needs.families.com/blog/ten-ways-to-help-your-child-with-epilepsy-succeed-in-school , http://www.ehow.com/how_6525393_teach-children-epilepsy.html, Pendleton, Kahlea. "How to Teach Children With Epilepsy | eHow.com." eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/how_6525393_teach-children-epilepsy.html>.
7. Meeting The Needs Of The Child &Family To provide the child with a resource teacher/consultant in the classroom, to help myself, parents, as well as other staffs of the strengths, needs and goals for Zeena. As well as to provide and coordinate resources to support Zenna and her family and the child care staff Provide Zeena’s mother with the help of a social worker to help provide her with community based supports and services that may help her in meeting Zenna’s needs as she is pregnant and may not be able to do as much I would also provide Zenna’s mother with the help of a relief workers, as she is pregnant with a child and has been asked to be on bed rest. By providing her with a relief worker she can get all the rest that she needs, while the relief workers works with Zeena at home. I would also recommend the family to attend an event held by Toronto Epilepsy an organization to provides many different services and prgrams to families dealing with a child with epilepsy. Citation: McCaei, Lisa. “Twenty Questions: The Professional Team." Inclusion of Children With Special Needs. Centennial College. B1-16, Scarborough.18th March. 2011. Class lecture.
8. Organizations/Agencies Epilepsy Toronto- a non-profit organization that has supported people living with epilepsy for 50 years. They believe that “taking part of an active epilepsy community, receiving vital support and connecting with others who are going through similar experiences helps manage the challenges of living with epilepsy” Epilepsy Toronto provides families with free programs and services such as counselling, employment support, advocacy, and education to help people with epilepsy to live well. Citation:http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/aboutus.php
9. Organizations/Agencies..Cont Kids on the Block-consist of a group of skilled volunteer puppeteers that travels around the GTA with performing puppets shows for children about coping with different disabilities. Each performance highlights a particular disability or medical condition, followed by a questions and answer period. KOB also provides teachers/ educators with information prior to the show to help generate classroom discussions as well as other classroom materials to enhance and reinforce what was taught to the by KOB. KOB performances are done by request, to request a performance educators are to fill out a performance request form available on the website or contact them through phone at 416 964.9095 Citation:http://www.kidsontheblocktoronto.com/whatiskob.htm
