Tips for Autism

Tip course for Autism in Taupo with colleagues for child in my class.

What did I learn?
This is a course designed with the child in mind and how the people who are involved in their every day lives - teacher, teacher aide, specialist teacher, MOE advisor and parent can work together to create aids to help that child learn, being socially acceptable and happy in their environment. Day 1 - we have learnt about what we are going to learn about Autism, similarities and differences of our children, what and how visuals can help to keep them on track. I had already had thoughts about this as I wanted to change what the daily timetable looks like. This course has reaffirmed my ideas and that I have been on the right track.

Where to next?
I now have a list of TO DO jobs in order for these ideas to come to fruition.

• Make some visual clock faces with our class times on, analogue and digital ( a couple of sets)
• Make a video with turn taking on it - marimba and gym
• Make a video on the "Tunnel of Change" game using an oil timer to indicate a new turn and choice
• Order a new clock - even 2, one for Teacher Aide  room and classroom

What am I uneasy about?
 I will need to get some of these done before the holidays, or do I leave it until after the holidays, or will that be too much change for the child of concern.

I am already looking forward to the next day of learning even though I have already previously done this course.


“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.” 
― Michel Legrand

Week 28 - Influence of Law & Ethics in Practice

(What): The dilemma: Blurred personal and professional boundaries in electronic communication

In the past, I have been able to keep my school life apart from my home life but this year, with the use of Seesaw as a platform for sharing the learning in the class and the messaging ability within this app, I have found that I’m dealing with issues that would be better dealt with face to face. Often these messages are sent at times convient for parents but often when I am in bed, late at night. I am happy to be in communication with my family and whanau but I feel that the lines are blurred and I am being taken advantage of and that the use of messager crosses the personal/professional communications boundary.

 (So What): What framework will help me solve my dilemma?

Ehrich et al. (2011) states that with advances in modern technology and with greater access to social media, educators now face and are answerable to new challenges and stakeholders. I believe as there is many facets to my dilemma, I will use  Ehrich’s et al. (2011) ethical decision-making process model to resolve this dilemma. Being a classroom teacher, I make every effort to deal with family and whanau as professionally as I can, with efficiency and withiout bias.

Our school’s policy on Communication with Parents (2018) states that teachers should remain polite, supportive and professional when speaking/ comunicating with parents at all times. An “offhand” or “patronising” tone is never acceptable.

I have also sourced other points of view from other colleagues, who maybe experiencing the same ‘bombardment’ of parent messages. My main discovery, is that they have turned off the app from their phones and only deal with messages through their laptop. This makes sense as the app also sends alerts to your email. I have made some efforts to disregard messages, when I receive them, but as my phone is constantly on for my ‘own’ family reasons, I have found that ignoring not always the best response.

(Now What): How can the Code assist me to solve my dilemma?

By being accessible to family and whanau at all times with reason, stiil allows me to fullfil my commitment and still engage in professional and respectful relationships. I will answer emails when working on my computer and this is often after school and even before 9pm at night. For my own family and whanau, I need to be more available and tend to their needs as well, to ensure a ‘good’ work/life balance.

References

Ehrich, L. C. , Kimber M., Millwater, J. & Cranston, N. (2011). Ethical dilemmas: a model to understand teacher practice, Teachers and Teaching: theory and practice, 17:2, 173-185, DOI: 10.1080/13540602.2011.539794

Education Council. (2017). Our Code Our Standards. Retrieved from:  https://educationcouncil.org.nz/sites/default/files

Lynmore Primary School – Polcies and Procedures Manual (updated March 2018)