FAMILY EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Brent Cox

K548

Overview of Alex Age 7 1st grader Loves to play air

guitar Plays baseball Loves the Colts Very involved in

extracurricular activities

Born 15 weeks premature

Has Cerebral Palsy Misaligned eye Asthma Has a shunt in his

brain

Overview of Alex’s Family Alex is blessed to have two wonderful

parents that provide very well for him Mom is an engineer for the Dept. of

Defense Dad owns a company in Lawrence, IN Alex is an only child but has many cousins

he is close with His grandparents/ aunts and uncles that he

and the family are very close with and are a tremendous help to the family

School Programming Alex is in a public school and is in the general

education classroom most of the day He is pulled out for math and reading for two

hours per day in a resource room He meets with occupational therapist twice a

week and a physical therapist once a week He has a “one-on-one” with him during recess

and special areas (Art, Music, P.E., Library, Dance/Drama)

He gets breathing treatment for his asthma every day after lunch

GOALS

His family wants him to be a productive member of society

To be able to do basic math skills To be independent To stay out of trouble Alex changes what he wants to be about

every day, I have everything from football player to “America’s Next Top Model”

Community Activities

Lowe’s and Home Depot Workshops Baseball League for children with

disabilities March of Dimes School skating parties, movie nights,

carnivals, etc. Church

What I’ve learned

I have learned an incredible amount about hope from this family. Alex was underestimated by doctors from the minute he was born. His parents were told that he would not survive the first day, then they were told he would not be able to walk, talk, hear or see. Alex is a fighter and continues to amaze me every day that I work with him

What I’ve learned… Cont. I’ve learned a good deal about what the family

has to go through to make sure that their son has everything that he needs. I’ve learned that often times parents and teachers need to do things that will make the child upset in order give them what they need. I have also seen both sides of the coin as far as teachers and parents are concerned. Parents and teachers often talked about concerns for Alex to me privately but would not discuss them together with each other.

What I’ve Taught the Family I think I’ve taught the family that

teachers do care about their child because they seem to be equally grateful of me as I am for them. I have helped them by suggesting ways that they can further help Alex at home with physical therapy, occupational therapy and reading. I’ve also helped them learn how important for Alex to be independent in order to mature.

Text Connection At first I didn’t see much connection with what we had

learned and Alex and his family. Until I read a story in the case study book that we have. In Mr. Derstrom’s story he talks about being his son being independent and that was a big part of what Alex’s family want for him. One specific example that I see first hand about every day is when Mr. Derstrom talks about his son becoming popular with the girls in his school. His son began to have such a relationship that they all hugged an awful lot. The teacher had to explain to Mr. Derstrom that even though it seems like an innocent thing it isn’t entirely appropriate and it needed to stop. I have had to have this discussion with Alex and the girls that he hugs or is affectionate with as well.

More Text Connections

Another connection I had with the text was when we talked about cultural diversity. My culture is much different than that of Alex’s family. I was very aware of it and tried my best to be as accepting as possible. I feel like I made everyone feel very comfortable and they were also accepting of me and my cultural differences.