Fellow Catechist- any tips for special needs children in class

[jenny2682]

Hello,

I teach 7th grade and have a special needs student with Downs in my class. She is not high functioning and actually quite outspoken with rude comments to myself and the other students. I do have a teen helper to assist her but the teen seems to be over her head. Does anyone who have tips to engage her more or perhaps keep her busy so as her mind does not wonder. I have talked to the mother and she says to discipline her like any other student!

 

[KimberlyAnn0218]

I would talk with your DRE. The fact that you posted this here shows genuine caring on your part which as a parent I think is awesome. I assume you are a volunteer like I am ( I also am a catechist). Some things just need a plan in place and support from the DRE
God Bless!

 

[kkollwitz]

I’d ask the parent to come to class.

 

[Corki]

Hello,

I teach 7th grade and have a special needs student with Downs in my class. She is not high functioning and actually quite outspoken with rude comments to myself and the other students. I do have a teen helper to assist her but the teen seems to be over her head. Does anyone who have tips to engage her more or perhaps keep her busy so as her mind does not wonder. I have talked to the mother and she says to discipline her like any other student!

At our CCE program, we VERY strongly encourage a parent of a special needs student to assist in the classroom. Very, very few catechists have the special training needed to properly give teach a child who has special classroom needs but the parent knows what works and what doesn’t.

If, for some reason, the parent refuses to help, you should at least insist that the parent provide you with some materials that are known to work to engage the child in her regular school. You can use those to model things for her to use in your classroom that will be related to the lessons.

And as a last resort, check to see if any near-by parishes have CCE programs for special needs children. In our diocese, due to the special training and sometimes special safety needs, these programs are located at larger parishes and open to students from other parishes on a cluster basis.

While it is nice to be inclusive, the goal is to have all of the children learning about their faith. While you certainly don’t expect her to be keeping up with the class, if you are primarily giving this student busy work and discipline, she isn’t going to be learning anything at all.

 

[Aggies08]

1. ask the parent to come to class.

If they cannot/will not, write down the things she is doing, and ask the best way to address them. Do this in a supportive, we-are-both trying to find the best way to teach the child atmosphere, not in an accusatory way.