IUPUI assignment

1. Family Experience Summary Brent Cox K548

2. Overview of Alex Age 7 1st grader Loves to play air guitar Plays baseball Loves the Colts Very involved in extracurricular activities Born 15 weeks premature Has Cerebral Palsy Misaligned eye Asthma Has a shunt in his brain

3. Overview of Alex’s Family Alex is blessed to have two wonderful parents that provide very well for him Mom is an engineer for the Dept. of Defense Dad owns a company in Lawrence, IN Alex is an only child but has many cousins he is close with His grandparents/ aunts and uncles that he and the family are very close with and are a tremendous help to the family

4. School Programming Alex is in a public school and is in the general education classroom most of the day He is pulled out for math and reading for two hours per day in a resource room He meets with occupational therapist twice a week and a physical therapist once a week He has a “one-on-one” with him during recess and special areas (Art, Music, P.E., Library, Dance/Drama) He gets breathing treatment for his asthma every day after lunch

5. GOALS His family wants him to be a productive member of society To be able to do basic math skills To be independent To stay out of trouble Alex changes what he wants to be about every day, I have everything from football player to “America’s Next Top Model”

6. Community Activities Lowe’s and Home Depot Workshops Baseball League for children with disabilities March of Dimes School skating parties, movie nights, carnivals, etc. Church

7. What I’ve learned I have learned an incredible amount about hope from this family. Alex was underestimated by doctors from the minute he was born. His parents were told that he would not survive the first day, then they were told he would not be able to walk, talk, hear or see. Alex is a fighter and continues to amaze me every day that I work with him

8. What I’ve learned… Cont. I’ve learned a good deal about what the family has to go through to make sure that their son has everything that he needs. I’ve learned that often times parents and teachers need to do things that will make the child upset in order give them what they need. I have also seen both sides of the coin as far as teachers and parents are concerned. Parents and teachers often talked about concerns for Alex to me privately but would not discuss them together with each other.

9. What I’ve Taught the Family I think I’ve taught the family that teachers do care about their child because they seem to be equally grateful of me as I am for them. I have helped them by suggesting ways that they can further help Alex at home with physical therapy, occupational therapy and reading. I’ve also helped them learn how important for Alex to be independent in order to mature.

10. Text Connection At first I didn’t see much connection with what we had learned and Alex and his family. Until I read a story in the case study book that we have. In Mr. Derstrom’s story he talks about being his son being independent and that was a big part of what Alex’s family want for him. One specific example that I see first hand about every day is when Mr. Derstrom talks about his son becoming popular with the girls in his school. His son began to have such a relationship that they all hugged an awful lot. The teacher had to explain to Mr. Derstrom that even though it seems like an innocent thing it isn’t entirely appropriate and it needed to stop. I have had to have this discussion with Alex and the girls that he hugs or is affectionate with as well.

11. More Text Connections Another connection I had with the text was when we talked about cultural diversity. My culture is much different than that of Alex’s family. I was very aware of it and tried my best to be as accepting as possible. I feel like I made everyone feel very comfortable and they were also accepting of me and my cultural differences.