I'm going to backtrack 2 years ago, and begin my story when this student, we will call her Amy, was in the first grade. Two years ago, I was a long term substitute at my current school. At the end of each day, I was in charge of walking my class out to their busses, as well as a few students from another class. Amy just so happened to be one of the students from another class who would join the end of my line to walk out to the busses. For first graders, it is essential that we walk the students to their individual busses, and make sure that every child gets home. This can be very stressful for a teacher who is trying to lead a class of 20 students down a crazy, loud, crowded hallway. I always stressed out about this, and worried that some students would get lost. I constantly told the students that they needed to look for me in the hallway, and walk in a straight line. Every day, Amy joined the end of my line, and EVERY DAY, she would make a wrong turn, and lead a group of students out the wrong door, and out of my site. I would call out after her, but she would just keep going, seeming to ignore my calls! I eventually got very annoyed with this, and had a serious talk with her about following directions.
Fast forward 2 years, and Amy is currently in my class, and I found out that she is hearing impaired. In the first grade, no one ever told me this, and this was the reason that she kept getting lost going out to the busses. She wasn't ignore my calls, she just couldn't hear me! You can imagine how bad I felt about being annoyed with her, thinking that she just chose not to follow directions!
Amy has a degenerative hearing impairment, and she has hearing aides that connect to an FM system. At first I was leery about using the device, because I wasn't sure if it would be simple to use. As it turns out, it is extremely easy to use, and never bothersome in class. I simply have to clip a little box to my belt, and attach a microphone to the top of my shirt. The microphone is connected to Amy's hearing aides, and helps to amplify any sounds that I make. I am constantly thankfully for this assistive device, as it would be very difficult for Amy to learn without it. Assistive technology can really make a world of difference for children in need!
Below is a picture of a teacher using an FM System that looks similar to mine.
http://bilingualaudiology.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/teacher-wears-individual-FM-system.jpg
The following are some useful resources when dealing with assistive technology in the classroom:
- http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/
- http://www.teachthought.com/technology/8-helpful-assistive-technology-tools-for-your-classroom/
- http://www.phonak.com/content/dam/phonak/b2b/C_M_tools/FM/Children-Hear-Better-with-FM.pdf
Hi Tracey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. So happy that this story has a happy ending. I guess the people who were on Amy's IEP team forgot to plan for her safe departure, as an IEP is supposed to be shared with all who are involved in the care of the student.
The assistive technology shown in the picture does look booth intimidating and intrusive, but it's great to hear that it is easy to use.
Hey Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI was very entertained by your story. Shame on you for yelling at that little girl. You should feel bad! No, I am only kidding. I would have wanted to crawl under a rock, if that was me. All in all, I am glad that you were able to experience a situation like that. It's certainly an eye opener.