Recontextualizing for an accessible classroom: Techniques and approaches to meeting the needs of students with

developmental and intellectual disabilities

Angelica Bigsby & Dorie Mishael

Angelica Bigsby Dorie MishaelUniversity of North Texas in 2014

● Visual Art Studies Major ● Double Minor Psychology and Counseling● Population: K- 12

George Washington University May 2016

● Art Therapy MA● Populations : adults with Intellectual

disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder,

● Children's Oncology and Hematology

University of North Texas in 2014

● Visual Art Studies Major ● Population : K- 12

Cora Kelly Elementary in Alexandria VA

● Population : Preschool- 5th grade○ Intellectual, learning, and

emotional disabilities

Itinerary● About us / Specific Populations● Objective - I can● Rationale for Recontextualization● Culture of Disibility● Reframeing● Questions? Share.

I can…Confidently meet

the needs of ALL my students.

Rational● Recontextualize the way you approach and

engadge with students with specific needs.● Change the way the world views

Culture of Disabilities

lame, demented, crazy, r-slur, stupid, dumb, bipolar, mental, not the brightest

crayon in the box

InvisibleDisabilities

Respect

Meeting your student where they are at

Observe

Reframe

Accommodate

Taking a pill for a headache ● Fixing the symptoms but not the problem

Providing limited choices promotes personal Autonomy

Working with the Student

the process over product● Ability to focus● Willingness to follow

directions ● Ability to clean● Ability to retain

information● Ability to sequence● Ability to handle being

messy● Ability to collaborate● Level of aggression ● Frustration tolerance

● Visual, hearing, physical impairments

● Communication devices● Sign language● Verbal or nonverbal ● Diagnosis● Languages ● Fine and gross motor

skills ● Strengths● Favorite mediums ● Best mode of learning● Stressors

Thinking creatively Sensory Based Tactile materials that engage the senses, sound art, smelly markers, creating borders, model magic.

Grip Assistance Woodless color pencils, Liquid glues, iPad, wrapping tape around materials, grip scissors.

Extra Add onsProjects that have multiple steps and layers, such as printmaking and Stop Motion.

Grounding Refocusing space, Breathing exercises, stress balls, using rigged material as opposed to fluid material, labeling feelings with art and colors.

Art therapyart as therapy

Questions ?Coments ?concerns ?

Bigsby.angelica @gmail.com

doriemishael@gmail.com thank you