http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gafwzWnyb_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZQTewCA_e0T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iRlfbw41zU
WELCOME TO HOLLAND.doc (28
KB)[Open as Web Pagechool based approaches fo~1.pdf (82 KB)[Open as Web Page]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gafwzWnyb_A This is a fantastic interview (7.30 report) with Kate Strohm talking about the importance of Sibs groups- great to show teachers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZQTewCA_e0T This is a follow up interview with 16year old Elizabeth (sib) and Kate Strohm and would be great to show kids, teachers etc... really good.
There is a beautiful piece of writing "Welcome to Holland' which could be related to siblings and a set of discussion questions could be formulated to get students to empathise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iRlfbw41zU This is part 2 of the movie, 'The Black Balloon'. I believe this film is the most believable portrayal of what it is like for families living with a child with severe autism and lots of other disabilities however I think it is a little too confronting to show the whole film to students but a definite watch for adults. Sums up my life, that's for sure!
Anyway this segment is when Tom's brother with autism escapes from home- it looks funny because both boys are in their jocks and Charlie is wearing bear ears, flapping and making noises while running. However, it shows the potential dangers of running into traffic and Charlie being 'adult' size running into a stranger's house. This would raise a whole lot of discussion I think- How would you feel if you were in Tom's shoes? This simple question should get a lot of responses.
At the 'Siblings Workshop' I attended, one of the things that Kate Strohm was insistent about was the need for schools to 'know' who their 'sibs' were and to ensure all staff knew about them for the sibs social and emotional well being etc...do the very least of keeping a special eye on them but more importantly set up sib support groups within schools or within school clusters because in the long run this will assist future issues with mental health.
So many parents at this workshop mentioned how their sibs have been in the emergency department a number of times due to violence from the child with a disability (choking, broken limbs etc...) and they were scared of the school finding out because social services would be called in. Probably why a sibs registry in a school is paramount I suppose.
I also attached a document from a school who had set up a sibling school based approach.
Now the other night on Parenthood, there was a beautiful part when Max (aspergers) had left home to make his own way to a museum and got lost. It showed the fear and angst on the family and the parents criticising Hattie (the sister) for not looking after the brother well enough and the end was Hattie yelling at Max for making her life 'hell' etc.. I am unable to download it on you tube- but this would be a great segment relating to the plight of siblings.
We had a shocking teacher for Melinda in grade 2. She constantly punished Melinda for being late for school and had no recognition that it was never MJs fault that she was late, it was just that having 3 autistic kids to get out of the house, we were often late due to meltdowns. She made Melinda cry daily, and even after approaching her about it there was no change. Being a sibling can be tough!
ReplyDeleteKate Strohm executive of Siblings Australia is advocating that all schools should have a register of our 'sibs' so that the staff can keep an eye on their emotional well being. I am working with a counsellor from Clonard College to establish a sibs support group between the cluster secondary catholic schools and I am trying to get interest in other schools also. Apparently Matthew Flinders is on board and I want my school Clonard to have a record of 'sibs' in the hope to foster an understanding amongst the staff for their welfare.
ReplyDelete