Future Directions
Since I am new to the field, there are many subject areas that I would like to delve deeper in to. During my practicum and through some of the course work, I realized the importance of teaching self-advocacy. It is a process that can begin in Kindergarten and hopefully earlier so that they can use these tools to help them achieve what they need to full participate inside and outside the classroom. This year, I plan on including self-advocacy goals on each student’s IEP and working on the objectives together. There are many lessons that I would like to use where students will learn these skills and practice them. Speaking to adults who are Deaf and hard of hearing agree that they wish they had learned how to advocate for themselves at an early age.
Auditory processing disorders (APD) is also a subject that I would like to learn more about. In the course EPSE 512: Critical Issues in Special Education, I researched, delivered an in-service, and did a paper on this topic. When working with students with disabilities in the past, I found many of them fit this disorder. APD is not commonly diagnosed as it is hard to assess but there are many strategies we can use as teachers to support their needs. If we knew more about our students and where they were having difficulties, we could adapt our lessons, build on strategies, create appropriate IEPs, and set them up for success. With early intervention, we could help students get back on track and be successful in our heavy, language-based, school system.
As a new HRT, I would like to accumulate as much experience as I can. Being part of a team and collaborating with similar minded colleagues will be exciting. Working with families and on social-emotional goals with the students is something I look forward to. I would also like to work on listening and speech skills, administer level B assessments and other informal assessments to learn more about each student, and of course self-advocacy skills.
Auditory processing disorders (APD) is also a subject that I would like to learn more about. In the course EPSE 512: Critical Issues in Special Education, I researched, delivered an in-service, and did a paper on this topic. When working with students with disabilities in the past, I found many of them fit this disorder. APD is not commonly diagnosed as it is hard to assess but there are many strategies we can use as teachers to support their needs. If we knew more about our students and where they were having difficulties, we could adapt our lessons, build on strategies, create appropriate IEPs, and set them up for success. With early intervention, we could help students get back on track and be successful in our heavy, language-based, school system.
As a new HRT, I would like to accumulate as much experience as I can. Being part of a team and collaborating with similar minded colleagues will be exciting. Working with families and on social-emotional goals with the students is something I look forward to. I would also like to work on listening and speech skills, administer level B assessments and other informal assessments to learn more about each student, and of course self-advocacy skills.