Disabilities

Over these past few weeks, we have been teaching each other about all sorts or disabilities, everything from OCD, ADHD, depression, language impairments, poverty, blindness, hearing impaired, etc...It has been so eye opening learning about all these different disabilities that my future students may have. It has been a huge help learning about these disabilities because I feel more prepared on what I can do as a teacher to help my students.

My group taught all about ADD/ADHD. This is a disease that is very common, and we are practically guaranteed to have a students who has ADD/ADHD in our classroom at some point. We talks about the different ways that a teacher can help a student who has this disease such as fidget tools, explaining directions more then once, having the student sit closer to the classroom, eliminating distractions, and the list goes on and on. There are so many different ways that we can help those who have ADD or ADHD be more comfortable and focused.  

Learning about the disabilities themselves were very interesting, but learning about them from other classmates and having the opportunity to teach about ADHD was also very cool. Every group approached and taught their disability from a different angle, and so these presentations didn't seem repetitive. After doing the little activities such as organizing the M&Ms (OCD), watching the simulation video on ADD, doing the poverty activity, etc...was so eye opening! Even just doing those activities was hard for me, I can't imagine that being my everyday life. I have gained so much respect for those who have disabilities, and it has encouraged me to learn more about them so that I can help my future students.