child with special needs: encouraging intellectual and emotional growth?

Answer 1

i have just the last 2 weeks with the special olympics team here on the Gold Coast.
I am a former world champion kickboxer and instructor. I have found that if you give them lots of praise and rewards for good things its the way to go. However dont go soft if they do the wrong thing because they are handycapped. They still need to learn!

Answer 2

Hi Niklas
Well the interesting thing about special needs is that the child is usually failing to learn in the environment at the same rate or level as other children of the same age. The challenge is to discover just what it is that causes this difference, without overly causing concern in the child/learner or parent. The last thing you want to do is label and set limits on performance or potential. (Thats true for you and me too :) ). The history of special education is littered with failures (and some successes) however well meaning educators have been. Sure for all of us, emotional and intellectual (AND SOCIAL) growth is vital.
The segregation of special needs children to cater for their measured and statistically deficient intellectual performance has often meant that we place the learner in a less stimulating environment often with others who have similar problems. And of course place them with teachers who have lots of love but often who also have low expectations of these learners because of the labelling process. Low expectations lead to low performances self fulfilling prophecies and a generally less stimulating environment and a limited curriculum.
So you are almost right ^_^ but social growth is important too, isn't it ?

Answer 3

I'm not too sure what it is that you are asking, but I will share my 24 yrs. experience with you. I have worked with the special need's population since 1982. I was an educator in the school system for 12 years, all of this time spent in the Special Education classrooms. Then I ventured to the Social Service
agencies. If you are wondering do these traits of intellectual and emotional growth occur, I can support you with saying" The relationship you would have with supporting an individual with special needs has an enormous capacity. If you love them and build a network of consistency, commitment, patience, and encouragement the individual will show natural growth patterns , that are inspiring and empowering to you as well as them. You will have the greatest love that exists in all this world as you unconditionally strive to get through one more difficult day. The stages to all different disabilities, can be found in references, the web and by a support group. God presents to you in your life what he already knows you can manage. Search for genuine people to be around your loved one. For some of us professionals we Really Love What We Do. Keep praying for strength, if you are asking this Q) for yourself. Peace.