I interviewed a few teachers, all from different walks of education. I wanted to see how the lack of early intervention affected them in the long run. When there is a lack of early intervention it doesn't just affect the student now, but also in the future learning. I interviewed a first and third grade teacher, and then I interviewed a high school teacher. I see everyday where a child may need early intervention but services are not available or the family will not follow through with the service plans.
Without proper intervention my teachers I interviewed felt that the child suffers, and will not receive the same training as their peers, they have no understanding how the classroom setting work, socialization skills, and of course getting the basic skills such as colors, shapes, numbers before entering school. The high school teacher I interviewed felt that early intervention is needed because these same students are still playing “catch-up” with other kids even at the high school level. Without early intervention we are seeing these children suffer feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and "stupidity".
All three felt that early intervention is something to advocate for because of the diverse needs of students with special needs. It doesn't have to be extreme disabilities, but that little push that early intervention gives is that one small thing that can make a huge difference in the child’s education in the long run. I feel strongly about early intervention because of the field I currently work in, and see so many children who could benefit from this. Unfortunately because of the constant funding cuts we see a lot of needed services cut or limited to certain ages.
After talking to teachers from different grades I am able to get a full understanding how deeply this issue impacts this child from day one. I will continue with my plan to do early intervention as my research project.
I think by talking to the teachers, I think that early intervention is my main research, but three topics that interest me that tie in with this would be how early intervention is decided. How disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and other behavioral issues would benefit with early intervention, and if there is no intervention how does the child perform in a school setting. I would also like to look at the time constraints on how address learning or behavioral disabilities to identify the issues to get early intervention services before it is too late.
I think by talking to the teachers, I think that early intervention is my main research, but three topics that interest me that tie in with this would be how early intervention is decided. How disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and other behavioral issues would benefit with early intervention, and if there is no intervention how does the child perform in a school setting. I would also like to look at the time constraints on how address learning or behavioral disabilities to identify the issues to get early intervention services before it is too late.
My question is how can a country who is rated so low in education, cut something so important as early intervention services?
Ann
ReplyDeleteThe one nice thing about being a special ed. teacher at the middle/high school is that you can always blame those teachers that did not provide early intervention. You are so right - we need to get these kids services as soon as their is a question that there may be a problem. I do like RTI however I do think we'll see more kids going into spec. ed. than less kids receiving services.
I feel that way, but I see it everyday when a child needs services but the school or center does not want to step up and bring it to attention.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. At the head start center where I work we have the children tested to see if anything is wrong. If we find anything then they get the child the help they need as soon as possible.
DeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed reading your blog. I also believe that early intervention is an area that needs more advocating. Early intervention programs can greatly assist young children by providing the experiences and services they individually need. A large number of children can benefit from these services and it is our responsibility to advocate for their right to receive that help.
Ann,
ReplyDeleteEarly intervention is a wonderful topic to research! I believe that more people need to become educated about this topic. I know one thing that is difficult when it comes to this topic is the willingness of the family to get the services their child needs. Many times the family is in denial that their child needs intervention. Maybe you could look into how to talk to families about whatever it is that their child needs services for and allowing their child to receive the services.
You stated that all three of the professionals you interviewed, stated that early intervention is something to advocate for because of the diverse needs of students with special needs. I have to question if this is one of the primary reason so many students are not getting the attention they need as it relates to early intervention, because the system is only focusing on those students who are at the higher risk such as those with special needs. I have seen many children with mild delays not receive the services they needed,due to lack of funding in the program or the services were rendered to those at high risk. I feel all childre should receive services regardless to the degree of the delay.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann
ReplyDeleteYou are right about children they do need services as soon when you find out that there may be a problem. Whatever it is the child needs to be tested.