Weeks 1 &2

This blog is for a special education class I am currently taking at BYU-Idaho.
For the first week we were assigned to read a few conference talks. These talks discussed the importance of being Christ-like and remembering to include and be kind to everyone, including those who may be different from us. The talks were powerful and were a wonderful way to start off this semester. I learned that we, as disciples, have a duty and responsibility to make everyone feel loved and included. No matter what trial they were given in this life, we must be accepting and loving even when it means going out of our comfort zone. That is a huge thing for me. I love my comfort zone. I am really great at interacting with children with special needs but working with adults definitely takes me out of my comfort zone. When children are acting like even less developed children, it seems fine to me. I can handle that. I don't have experience working with adults who have the developmental mentality of a young child though. I am excited to break out of my shell and learn all that I can about how to handle these precious spirits. I know I will truly be doing God's work as I love and care for these people who have been given such a hard life.

This week we talked about laws involved in special education. We discussed the history and evolution of special education. I am glad we are making progress in schools to include those with special needs but also be attentive to those specific needs. We read several case studies involving special needs verses schools. I am so happy that, in most cases, the courts sided with the special needs groups and were fair to their needs and concerns. I have already learned so much. I had no idea about the laws in special education and what goes on in schools. I work at an afterschool program where we have many autistic children or children with behavioral problems such as ADHD. I feel like I can already see a difference in how I interact with these children. I also work at a horse therapy riding program where we see clients with disabilities from ADHD to autism and down syndrome to cerebral palsy. Working with these clients has absolutely changed my life and blessed my life. I am excited to continue learning in this class so that I can help advocate for these people who deserve so much in life.