THE CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND HIS … 4 Potentials of CSN.pdfmaawa, sabi ko, ‘Ang sarap naman ng ngiti mo!’” -Kuya Roming, security guard Emphasize the CSN’s positive points

THE CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

AND

HIS POTENTIALS

Lutze-Sol Aplaon-Vidal,

M.A.Ed. (SPED)

WHO CSN are

WHAT they cannot do

We already know…

WHAT CSN can do

Potentials

Possibilities beyond their

limitations

About This Chapter

As a service-provider…

How does knowing these

potentials help me in relation to

my work?

How do I translate/generalize

these in my actual workplace?

How do I become the BRIDGE?

I must establish and

strengthen my foundation.

What are the POTENTIALS

of the CSN?

(Myths and Half-truths)

Children with special needs

have the potential to…

Be physically

well.

Children

with special

needs do

not live long.

Engage in

meaningful relationships.

CSN are

laughed at,

made fun of,

or bullied by

his/her

regular

peers.

Engage in meaningful

relationships.

CSN cannot

empathize

with others.

Encourage meaningful

relationships among

family members.

Masuwerte

ang

pamilyang

may special

na anak.

Learn & be in

school.

Bakit mo

ilalagay sa

classroom

ng mga

normal eh

special nga

‘yan?

Regulate their

behaviors.

Lumayo ka

d’yan;

nananakit

‘yan.

Be independent.

Tulungan

mo kasi

hindi niya

kaya ‘yan

mag-isa.

Kawawa

naman.

Walang

trabahong

makukuha

‘yan.

Have a bright, meaningful

and happy future.

Have a bright, meaningful

and happy future.

Children

with special

needs will

never marry

and have a

family.

Have a bright, meaningful

and happy future.

Hanggang

d’yan na

lang ‘yan.

I must re-align my perspectives.

How does knowing these potentials

help me in relation to my work?

Evaluate and re-

think my

perspectives

about CSN.

Encourage

others to re-think

their

perspectives.

Help tap and

maximize these

potentials.

I must live it!

How do I translate/generalize these

in my actual workplace?

I must…

“Hindi ko naman

intensiyon na

ampunin s’ya…Nag-

umpisa sa isang

pandesal lang…”

- Aling Lourdes,

Cook

Keep them

nourished,

and

protected

from harm

and danger.

Provide basic needs.

“Gustong mag-aral e.

Kilala ko naman ang

principal d’yan…”

- Kuya Andy,

Janitor

Keep the

CSN in

school as

much as

possible.

Teach.

“Naisip ko, kahit ba

hirap s’ya sa math, at

least marunong s’ya

sa pera.”

- Ate Amy,

Tindera sa canteen

Teach

functional

skills –

helpful in

attaining

immediate

as well as

lifelong

goals.

Teach.

“I just recommended her

to my old gymnastics

school because I saw how

good she was. The rest

was really due to her own

efforts.”

- Jamie,

Student volunteer

Provide the

necessary

tools/devices,

resources, and

strategies to make

it easier for CSN

to learn a skill,

exhibit a behavior,

and demonstrate a

talent.

Teach.

“Bilang isang

houseparent, ako na

yata ang pinaka-

concerned sa kung

anuman ang maaring

mangyari sa kanya.”

- Aling Minda,

Houseparent

Teach with

the future in

mind.

Teach.

“Kesa naman wala

silang magawa,

pinaturuan ko ng

sayaw sa anak ko.”

- Manong Fred,

Office clerk

Provide

opportunities

for

developing

potential

skills and

talents

without tiring

the CSN.

Provide varied

opportunities.

“Sa totoo lang, wala

ako halos makitang

ikatutuwa sa

kanya…pero imbes na

maawa, sabi ko,

‘Ang sarap naman ng

ngiti mo!’”

- Kuya Roming,

security guard

Emphasize

the CSN’s

positive

points to

increase

their self-

confidence.

Provide varied

opportunities.

“Ang usapan namin,

kapag bawat umaga

nalinis nila ang

bakuran ng center,

puwede nilang gamitin

‘yung court sa hapon.”

- Ms. Karen,

Building administrator

Always support

the CSN’s

efforts using

positive

reinforcements.

Provide varied

opportunities.

“Basta po summer,

pinapaalam ko po

‘yung van para

maihatid ko s’ya sa

swimming pool.”

- Mang Simon,

Driver

Pave the

way for a

brighter and

meaningful

future.

Provide varied

opportunities.

“Naku, e mas

magaling pa po ‘yan

sa ‘min.”

- Melchor & Jong

NGO Volunteers

Believe that

the CSN can

do much

more than

what others

think they

can.

Believe!

“E kung sa dami lang

ng ‘di n’ya alam,

madami talaga…pero

bakit natin

iisipin ‘yun?”

- Ms. Ana,

Sponsor

Accept CSN’s

limitations and

develop their

strengths.

Believe!

“’Pag daan na si Lolo

sobra saya na…sama

pa aso n’ya…”

- Hannah, CSN

(talking about Lolo Pete -

a neighbor - when asked,

“Ano ang

pinakamasayang

nangyari sa buhay mo?”

Keep the

CSN happy..

Believe!

“Naku, ‘wag sila

magkamali…ako

makakalaban nila!”

- Lolo Pete, neighbor

(when asked how he

feels about Hannah, a

CSN neighbor)

Advocate.

Believe!

I am the BRIDGE!

I am significant.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Viel Elijah A. Vidal

downsyndrome.com

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