Chapter One Entry

What special roles do educators play in supporting families with disabled children?
Educators are responsible for helping the child reach their full learning potential. In order to do so the educator must work with the family and child to put in place plans such as the Individualized Education Plan and transitional plans to make sure the student is well prepared and gets the resources needed. The teacher needs to keep in close communication with the families to allow them to know what steps they should take at home pertaining to their child’s education. If an educator is working with a child and their family during early intervention they need to help the families make a healthy and beneficial environment for the child along with provide the families with the resources they need to get through the daily routines necessary for their child and their education. Family empowerment is a large part of the child with exceptional needs’ life.

When is a child considered to be educationally exceptional?
“The term exceptional is generally used to include both the child with developmental disabilities and the child who is gifted.” (Educating Exceptional Children, 5) A child is considered educationally exceptional when they differ from the average child in five ways and also require modifications or special services to go along with these differences. These five ways are mental characteristics, sensory abilities, communication abilities, behavioral and emotional development, and physical characteristics. They could differ in two ways, one, being above or two, being below the average child.

How do parents and siblings respond to the presence of a child with disabilities in the family?
In some situations, when the parents spend more time with the disabled child, the sibling may feel neglected and begin to resent the child with disabilities. Although in other situation when the parents pay attention to both children the sibling is willing to help out with household responsibilities, and in this case usually willing to help the child with disabilities. I think that although the child may not understand when they are younger why their brother or sister are different, they will be more understanding and willing to help as they get older. Parents tend to struggle with accepting their child’s disability and finding ways to adjust to the situations. “When their child is first diagnosed as having a serious disability, most parents feel shock and then denial, guilt, anger, and sadness before they finally adjust.” (Education Exceptional Children, 16)