I write this post as I take some time to reflect on how changes effected one individual Year 5 student in our hub. The student I am thinking of has Dyspraxia, Auditory Processing Disorder, with specific difficulties: processing competing spoken information, utilising cues necessary to distinguish degraded signals, listening to a single speaker when more than one person is talking. This student aslo has Sensory Processing Issues, and delays with social skills and challenges with learning. A Paediatrician who has assesed this student was unsure of diagnosis, however thought possible Autism. Whakatata House initials findings suggested ADHD.
This student has been faced with and accomplished many hurdles during the first 2 terms of school this year. One of the biggest challenges at the beginning of the year was the school camp to Woodend. At first it appeared as though this student wouldn't last, however he managed to work through many obstacles and came out smiling and having had a wonderful experience. As he transitioned into new routines within the hub he was guided carefully and given lots of extra support and encouragement. He was assisted by a teacher aide who helped him significantly during this time. There were of course a few days when it was all too difficult and adjustments to our programme were made accordingly to help assist his needs. In particular, he struggled with relationships and the way he communicated with others.
This particular student relied on consulting the daily timetable and whenever there were changes to the programme or something specific in the day, it was important that the teacher discussed this with this student and clarified any uncertainties. There were days when he didn't want to come to school mixed with days where he eagerly wanted to be in attendance. What had been accomplished by the end of Term 2 was a bigger picture. This student had learned to work in a large space and manage himself to a certain extent, attending workshops, completing some basic follow up tasks and mostly seek support when situations became too difficult. The one major concern continued to be the way he spoke to others when he was struggling or frustrated: telling them to go away, leave him alone or using inappropriate language.
So when Term 3 began it was a wonderful surprise for the students mother of this student and the teachers within the hub see him appear to be so keen to return to school (he hadn't been keen after term 1, as he enjoyed his holidays and wasn't enthusiastic about having to do school work again). The difference in returning to school following Term 2 was different. He had also enjoyed his holidays and shown enjoyment for school and was happy about returning. We had celebrated a great deal of previous success and were ready to continue growth from this point, however, after a day of being back in term 3 things changed again. They changed dramatically. It was like his routines had been turned upside down as we introduced the new changes to his timetable with the Kathleen Liberty initiatives as well as different teachers for reading. He sort of ' Threw his toys out of the cot!'...in protest and resisted doing many activities, he was no longer willing to attend workshops and co-operate in ways he had previously. It would be fair to state that for most of this term he has been a struggle! I spoke with his mum who has also struggled with him at home.
What has been interesting with these changes is:
Although this child protested significantly in the beginning he now appears to have adjusted and seems even happier than before.
The whanau eating times have provided him with significant benefits: friends close by to chat to and he has developed positive conversations and relationships with many peers during these times.
He protested about eating a sandwich in the morning initially ( he thought it was stupid) however he soon joined in the eating and now looks forward to this time. He is also more settled in the first hour of the school day , after having had his complex carbohydrate.
Change is inevitable, it is part of life! How we cope with change, however, can vary from one individual to another....and in terms of assessing change it is obvious that we need to give change time!
It's always good to remind ourselves of skills that can assist us when we are faced with change.
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