321- Help!!!

[Signlanguage1001]

Hi everyone,

Its my first post and I really need your help with 321! Some of the knowledge questions are difficult to know how to answer! These are the ones I am really stuck on!
K3D537 is about expert parents with in-depth and wide ranging knowledge...??! I have explained 'expert parent' but past this I am stuck!
K3D541 expected pattern of development for children in your care. I work with 8 or 9 deaf children in a primary school from all different years so how do I answer??! All their goals are different? And how should I set this out??
K3C542 is about the effects of communication difficulties and attention deficits??!
K3C543 alternative and augmentative communication- what does this mean??
K3D539 integration and inclusion within your setting- this is such a huge topic, where do you start??

any suggestions or help would be really appreciated! This is my last unit and I am desperate to get it done asap!!

Thanks everyone!

[Heidi]

You have written that all the children you are working with are different, so how about writing that the individual needs of each child are taken into account and then give different examples using what you have learnt from the children you work with; and also tie it in with whatever you have learnt from reference books you are using; or from staff workshops/meetings where you can learn from more experienced colleagues.

You will know all about possible communication and attention deficits - if the children are deaf, can they all sign? do you use visual signs? do some have partial hearing? Do you sign and speak? Do you always ensure you have good eye contact? Does their age have a bearing on their concentration span? and do they tire if they are concentrating on trying to keep up with communication as well as following instructions? There will be lots of other threads from these.

Alternative and augmented communication is above - what you adapt/do differently and how do you enhance/add to your alternative?

It can be as simple as using signs for one child, placing signs around the setting for another, perhaps using story/photo signs to show a sequence of what is going to happen i.e. toilet + washing hands+ drying hands+ snack/lunch.

Look at your inclusion/equality/diversity policy for your last answer - but the basic answer is you should be welcoming/caring/educating every child and including any child whose needs are different from and/or they have additional needs.

What do you do for these children? I hope this sets you on the right track.

[Signlanguage1001]

Im going to print your response and go and do some work now, thanks so much that has really helped!

What else can I write about expert parents?

Its in a school, so I am in the specialised unit for some lessons. The children all have IEP's so they all have specific targets. Lessons are planned and I help explain and teach these to the children, with sign language. Some lessons are also spent going into their normal class-based learning, so I sign these for the children. There are group sessions, individual sessions, sessions with speech therapists and other professionals so the day is really varied. I love it!

Thanks so much for your help

[Heidi]

Originally Posted by Signlanguage1001

Im going to print your response and go and do some work now, thanks so much that has really helped!

What else can I write about expert parents?

Its in a school, so I am in the specialised unit for some lessons. The children all have IEP's so they all have specific targets. Lessons are planned and I help explain and teach these to the children, with sign language. Some lessons are also spent going into their normal class-based learning, so I sign these for the children. There are group sessions, individual sessions, sessions with speech therapists and other professionals so the day is really varied. I love it!

Thanks so much for your help

Look at it as if all parents are experts, as they will know their child best, their personalities, their culture, the home environment (and routines) in which they live.
Take this into consideration as you work with and alongside a child's parent. You want all concerned to work well together to benefit a child; whatever IEP is devised it can be carried through from school to home.

Ask and listen to the parents - how can they help their child at school? how can you help that child at home? Working together for a child will help your job as well if you know they are doing and/or helping with some of a child's targets. It could be something such as building up their concentration span by playing a board game at home; or perhaps you will duplicate some of your visual picture/photo signs, so they can be used at home.

Remember the importance of any child's parent in their education, include them and you will be rewarded. Don't forget to praise them for their help/suggestions/cooperation, even if it is just them agreeing to what IEP you have set out. We all like praise no matter what our age.