Reducing Stess

I found this article that gave tips, on how to reduce stress, for parents who have children with learning disabilities. This article highlighted a few good points that I didn't consider to reduce stress. Parents who have children with disabilities have a lot to do on a daily basis. The second tip discusses setting realistic standards. Parents need to set realistic standards for the load they can carry and try not to take on too much. Although it may be tough for a parent to adjust their lifestyle to fulfill all their child's need, parents need to reject jobs or activities that they would normally participate in so they don't become too stressed. Adjusting to new things can give someone a lot of stress, but when one tries to adjust to new things and keep all the old things is can be worse. This week I will try to research more information on methods to reduce stress for parents with children who have a disability.



http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/parentsandfamilyissues/tp/Stress_Management_Tips.htm

The six stages of adjustments for parents.

I began to do more research on ways teachers can help, parents who have a child with a disability, cope and reduce stress. From an article I read, I learned that there can be six stages parents go through that starts from the moment they are told their child may or does have a disability. These stages are important for a teacher to have knowledge about in order to help a parent cope and overcome the stress they are under as well as the pain. Stage three and four mention that parents may be guilty when they first find out about their child. As a teacher it is important to help parents realize they aren't at fault. If a parent feels guilty it will be tough for them to adjustment and not hold harsh feelings towards themselves and their child. The more acquainted a teacher is with the stages, the more likely a teacher will be able to identify and understand how a parent is feeling. The information with assist the teacher when giving advice to the parent or parents. I intend to do more research to find out where teachers can recommend parents to go to reduce stress and help cope.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/5937/

The continuous stress for parents

I am very interested in different ways to help parents cope and ways to keep them involved. My last post I discussed information about a student in the classroom I student teach in. I believe that a parent wouldn't want to face the truth, because they don't want to deal with the stress or they are uneducated about disabilities. Having a child with a disability have to face financial issues and some parents can't afford the medical bills. I first want to learn more about issues that parents face and then get more details of ways to help parents deal with stress. Chapters 5 in the book discusses stress factors. I could not imagine the stress a family faces. Depending on their child's need the child's parents rarely get the chance to relax. In the video I linked parents give the input. Parents tell of the some of the difficulties they face. One mother shares how she is unable to take two of her children, who have disabilities, anywhere at the same time. Parents needs to be comforted, supported, and assisted. They face tough challenges, but yet the challenges compile more and more.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZa9tlH7Mw0&feature=related

How does one approach a parent?

How does a teacher address a parent about their child's behavior and future diagnosis? The is one student in my practicum that my mentor believes has autism. My mentor has tried to talk with his mother, but the students mom refuses to find out any further information. My mentor has supported his reasons in hopes that she would hear what he had to say. The student is constantly repeating discussions he hears. For example, one day I was talking to another students and I said, "I've already tried." Then the child who my mentor suspect has autism repeated what I said to himself. The student is very bright and is not behind. Sometimes it is difficult to get him to stay focussed. He keeps the same routine. There are several reasons why my mentor is led to believe the student has autism. I am concerned about the child. What happens if a teacher suspects a student may have a disability, but yet the parent refuses to acknowledge any of the reasons why the teacher suspects it?
I wonder why a parent would not want to get further information about the their child's behaviors and possibilities of reasons for why their child is behaving a certain way. I know that most parents want their children to be healthy and may not want to face the difficulties of having a child with a disability. I think if there are suspicions about there child the sooner the parents take action the better is will be for the child.

Support groups

        After reading chapter 1, 2, and 12 I realized that support groups are positive for families with children with disabilities. As a future teacher I want to be prepared to help several families and their children. The emotional stress and pain parents with disabilities have needs to be consider. It's hard for me to relate to the family members and I want to learn how to give advice to parents. Not only do I want to be supportive for the parents, but I want to be supportive for the children with disabilities as well. I know that peers can be the best support groups for students with disabilities and I think we need to encourage the students be supportive.

Teaching students with disabilities

I believe including students with disabilities in the classroom is something that should be done. I do think that it can be challenging for a teacher to make sure every student's need is met. I always think about how I will react as a teacher. I want to say I will be the best teacher and will be glad to accomodate to every child's needs. I know that it will be hard and everything will not always go as planned. I am very concerned about keeping calm and remembering that every child is important. What are ways to relieve stress for a teacher? What can help motivate a teacher to continue to make sure that the needs of all the children are met?