Peer Coaching, helping out with disabled kids Options

[angelrevelation]

So, I signed up for Peer coaching. I basically kind of just help out with the disabled kids at my school, who all have some sort of autism. They're taken around on walks, and the higher functioning ones have little tasks to do around the school and such. I hope to gain more experience working and taking care of people, since I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

I'm worried about handling the scolding and everything though. I've never been good with little kids, and these ones are kind of similar to that. Any advice?

I'm not sure if this goes in School or not.

[salcha4u]

Haha I know where you're coming from. I've coached kindergarten to high school and I currently have one special ed kid that's really young and it's hard to be strict. But surprisingly, special ed kids listen more than normal kids if they take it in right. Just scold them, I try to treat them like normal kids (well, with a little more leniency and patience). Don't get too mad easily, and hold your temper because it will be frustrating. Talk in a really stern voice and look them in the eye to let them know that you're serious and in charge. Good luck :)

[WickedDreamer]

Always treat someone with a disability as a "normal kid" *rolls eyes at the person above*I hate the word 'normal'

Honestly, I grew up with a moderately autistic brother and decided to spend a year in the Special Ed class at school... even after 15 years of helping out with my brother it was still hard to deal with the kids at school. Always ask a teacher for what to do in a situation that you aren't sure how to handle. Teachers generally have a set way to deal with misbehaving (they may have numbers that they get after completing a job, but taken away when they misbehave) they may get something taken away from them. There was this one boy that would always carry around a Woody doll (from Toy Story) and if he misbehaved he would get the Woody doll taken away.

The teachers will tell you. Honestly, by the end of the year you'll have bonded so much with them... at least I did. I'm in my first year of college and I miss that class more than I miss my family or friends.

[salcha4u]

Always treat someone with a disability as a "normal kid" *rolls eyes at the person above*I hate the word 'normal'

Is there a problem?

[WickedDreamer]

yes! It seperates people, puts everyone in little catergories. Honestly, it's just a pet peeve of mine, nothing I feel like arguing about. Whenever I use it I put quotes around it.

"Normal" is just relative.

It's "normal" for me to sit in the car for 8 hours every weekend to visit my dad. It's "normal" for me to write one page of notes out five times until it's perfect. It's "normal" for me to go through a book a day when I'm on a reading spree.

But for other people "normal" is something completely different.

"Normal" for me is someone autistic. A "normal" day at the mall is my 16 year old 6 ft autistic brother throwing a tantrum in the middle of the game store.

Again, "normal" is just relative.

[angelrevelation]

How exactly does one establish authority though? That's what my teacher said you have to do... I've tried being stern and it doesn't exactly work out They're still teenagers, so they try to rebel or get away with stuff and it's hard.

[salcha4u]

Lol you have to make eye contact or get their attention. I was with my friend when she was tutoring her kid yesterday, and he can't concentrate for a long period of time so she takes a metal ruler and bangs it on the desk. I work with young kids too, and I can usually bribe them with small prizes or whatnot. When I had freshmen students last year, I treated them out to Starbucks/Jamba Juice if they achieved a goal or had a good report card. You know, whatever works in your situation.

yes!

No, there isn't.