RESPONSE TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF A CHILD AND HIS/HER FAMILY

Adele’s Story – Acquired Brain Injury

Submitted by: Yong Hong Chen

INTRODUCTION Adele has acquired brain injury (closed brain injury) Difficult with fine &gross motor skill Speech and cognitive delays

Adele’s mom suffered from alcohol and drug abuse, and undergone a rehabilitation process.

Adele’s mom is now a full-time student.

FAMILY’S NEEDS

Adele’s Needs: Quality Childcare who will foster for the following:

Difficulty in motor skills (gross and fine) Cognitive delays

Speech Therapist Speech delay Eye-doctor Low vision

(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000004.htm)

Mother’s Needs: Quality Childcare for Adele, since Adele’s mom is a

full-time student Support for lone parents and for parents with

children with special needs

ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

Defined by connectAbility.ca as a “non-degenerative injury to the brain that has occurred since birth (2013).”

It may occur in two ways: Closed Brain Injury – The skull is not

broken Open Head Injuries – There’s

penetration to the skull which may cause for it to be broken.

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

Occurs when a parent or caregiver violently shakes an infant, due to unwanted behavior (ex. Chronic crying).

Usually, there are no physical indicators that were caused by the action

Effects: lifelong neurological damage (blindness, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, behavioral problems).

CEREBRAL PARSLY

A term used to describe a wide range of long-lasting disorders that may weaken one’s control of his/her movements.

It is caused by brain damage that can be acquired by the child during his or her birth, infancy or early years.

Affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD

“Building Blocks” model:1. Program should be

developmentally appropriate2. Modification of the curriculum

in terms of the schedule, environment, materials, activities and level of support.

3. Insert learning opportunities within activities (ex. Practice or develop a skill).

4. Provide an individual activity for the child, together with small group/large group.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD

-Fine motor& Gross motor use crayon to draw(Hands on teaching),provide play-doh,

make cutting with blunt scissor-providing large play-mat for crawling, throwing/ ,kicking &

tossing a ball or soft toys, roll over the body, Pushing a wagon.

-Language improvementSimple Sign Language, read a book and sing, finger guide,

talk through the day, music

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD The teacher should acknowledge the needs

of the child in order to: Manage his/her expectations of the child Create experiences that will foster to the needs

of the child Link the parent to agencies and services that

may support the needs of the child Reading a book about children with special need

within the larger group of children.

SUPPORTING THE FAMILY

Adele’s mom as a lone parent As an ECE we should acknowledge

the stressors of lone parenting; provide support by recommending agencies within the community.

Adele’s mom as a parent of a child with special needs As an ECE we should help her

recognize Adele’s special needs; provide support through sharing and interpreting information, respecting family’s needs, and sharing coping strategies.

AGENCIES Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST)

BIST is grassroots type of organization Supports children and families through

Educating the child with brain injury (Personal Development Workshops).

Educating families about brain injuries, for better understanding and support for their family members.

Linking families and children to child care (ex.Rehabilitation) Link: http://www.bist.ca/toronto-community-resource

s-children-and-youth Phone Number: (416) 830-1485 Address: 40 Orchard View Blvd, Suite 252

Toronto, ON (M4R 1B9) Link: http://www.bist.ca/

AGENCIES

Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy(A non-profit charitable organization ) They support through:

Educating parents/caregivers/educators about cerebral palsy Link families to institutions Link families to financial resources providing appropriate education for their children Providing a list of child care services (Link:

http://www.ofcp.ca/osid/services.php?view=find&&tag=Child%20Care%20Services&&id=0190)

Phone number: (416) 244-9686 Address: 104 – 1630 Lawrence Ave. West Toronto, ON

(M6L 1C5) Canada. Link: http://www.ofcp.ca/

SELF REFLECTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY