Search Results for: blog the ladder of skills for special needs kids

School for Special Needs Adults Opens Business

In most cases special needs students are taken well care of as children. Their needs are met and they are educated to the best of the school’s ability. I have seen many special needs children at various schools. They are usually very happy and content in their surroundings. They are very excited to have the opportunity to visit with other children and take part in normal daily activities. Unfortunately many of us forget that these precious children grow up to be special needs adults. What happens to them then? We are all about taking care of the special needs children. … Continue reading →

The Ladder of Cognitive Skills for Special Needs Kids

It’s often useful to keep in mind the kinds of skills we should be helping our special kids master as they grow and develop. The following steps are general guidelines you can use as you direct your child through floor time play at home, special education in the classroom, and social interactions with friends and family. As you read the following list, try to determine which steps your child has mastered and which ones need additional focus. Often times the child has a mixture of abilities and challenges on every rung of the ladder. And remember that in order for … Continue reading →

Teaching Children in the Changing World

I have been teaching for eight years. Although compared to some teachers, I have probably seen very little in my eight years of teaching. Yet I can definitely see a change in the children each year. I can also see a major change in the family lifestyle and home. It appears that children are becoming much more demanding and controlling. They are more rebellious and defiant. The lifestyle is more hectic and busy and the home lives are more confusing and unusual. There are children with several different members living in their home. There are children who live with aunts, … Continue reading →

Theory of Mind – Does Your Child Grasp it?

In order for a child to have meaningful interactions with other human beings, to empathize, to relate, and to share, he or she must have a working “theory of mind.” When a child has “theory of mind” difficulties, he or she is likely to have severe deficits in communication both verbally and non-verbally. I believe it is important for parents to understand this concept as they help their children improve communication and socialization skills. What is “Theory of Mind?” The basic principles of theory of mind are these: I have a mind that thinks, forms opinions, and has feelings. Unlike … Continue reading →

FLOOR TIME: Be Your Child’s Own Personal Play Therapist!

Children with developmental delays have often missed crucial milestones in cognitive learning. Because of problems like sensory integration disorder or other neuro-processing difficulties, they’ve had “gaps” in their intellectual growth. These gaps can cause further problems as the child is not able to build upon skills which don’t exist. He or she needs intensive, daily therapy to literally start at the beginning and re-learn certain milestones to compensate for the deficiencies. Early intervention programs, therapists, educators, and specialists can all be extremely beneficial. However, it is not enough. These kids need one-on-one concentrated attention to help them climb the developmental … Continue reading →