Angelman Today September / October edition 2013 | Page 14

inclusion and “buddies” is another good way to keep kids together. Kids should also be included in school wide activities such as assemblies. Of course this is dependent on each child’s tolerance. Some don’t do well with crowds or loud noises and although a tolerance can sometimes be built up, there is no reason to make them miserable. Kids should also be out on the playground together.

9. Do you feel as though this teacher will push your child to reach her full potential? Is
your child’s teacher excited by their potential? Every child will grow and has the ability to be the best person he or she can be. They shouldn’t be compared with each other or kept back because children with _________ (fill in the blank) can’t do that. If your child’s teacher isn’t excited about being a teacher, they probably shouldn’t be your child’s teacher.

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7. Does the teacher have a good relationship with the school’s nurse? When
you work with students with more severe physical needs, the classroom teacher and school nurse often have to work hand in hand. I work hard to help the school nurses I work with understand how my students “work” and familiarize them with one another. School nurses are great resources for finding out information on many of the health issues your child is dealing with.

8. That leads to the next point. Do you feel as though your child is in a safe and supportive environment? Children can get
hurt at school, especially children who have seizures, sensory issues and/or other disabling conditions. You should have the opportunity to see your child’s classroom and make suggestions regarding your child’s safety. Of course you will have to remember that the classroom also has to be conducive to the safety and education of the other students. Even if the classroom is safe, accidents will still happen. We are all human, we will make mistakes, toys will be left on the floor, and children will zig when they should have zagged. You need to be able to trust your child’s teacher to care for your child to the best of their ability, get medical care when needed and give you a call (or the nurse can) if your child gets hurt.

Would every parent I have ever worked with say yes to all those questions about me? I would hope so, but I am sure that is not always the case. It is definitely what I strive for but let’s face it, I am only human and would not claim that I get it right every time. The same can be said of any teacher. I do think, though, that if your child’s teacher is constantly attempting to achieve the above, you can have some trust that your child is in a safe and enriching environment in which he/she is encouraged to flourish and grow. What more could we hope for with any child’s education?
Written by Lisa C. Gleeson MA SpEd. Bio: I have been teaching students with moderate to severe multiple disabilities in public school systems for nearly 20 years now, ranging in ages from preschool to middle school. I have attended four Angelman Syndrome Conferences and spoke at the conference in Chicago, IL. I have had the opportunity to teach 4 students with Angelman Syndrome (two at the same time!) and many other students with chromosomal abnormalities. My Masters degree is in Special Education with an emphasis in severe multiple disabilities and I am certified in the state of VA in multiple disabilities (adapted curriculum), intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances and learning disabilities.