They send great e-newsletters periodically through my email. All newsletters and correspondences are different which keeps me engaged and wanting to read each post.
This week they sent a e-newsletter about brain development and autism. Knowing that it was recently Autism day I had been meaning to read more on current science development. This journal article discussed brain overgrowth in people with autism. The article said, individuals with autism have reduced synchronization between key brain regions for different cognitive tasks. It went on to describe that the more information and research performed on the topic of autism an lead to the design of interventions that accommodate the way the brains of children with autism function and can allow for more flexible thinking and learning in the field.
This made me think about the topic we've been discussing in class this week...equity and excellence in ece and education. I wonder if we were able to provide more funding toward research in autism and education for teachers to aid students with autism how would this change the way ece professionals view students with autism? In the past, personally I have been terrified with working with children with autism because I know I don't have the proper training to assist in development with children with autism. I think if we give more information...even just research based articles or fact based information pertaining to the topic, it would be helpful to ece professionals like myself. I feel there is not enough information or training available to ece professionals in my capacity about the topic. I work with children 2 - 5 years in my preschool, which is in my home. Although we are required to have a certain amount of hours of state training per year, there is no outline on the topics to be trained in. I think perhaps if this was added as a requirement for providers like myself we would be more knowledgeable and be able to provide a greater quality of care to children with special needs or those identified with autism and such.
Shayla,
ReplyDeleteBrain development and Autism are two of my favorite topics, as my Godson has been diagnosed with severe Autism. He was born at 27 weeks, which makes me wonder about the correlation. I agree, if more funding was provided to educate caregivers, children would receive high-quality care.
Sondi
Shayla,
ReplyDeleteLike you I was scared to work with children with autism. Until, we got a student who was diagnosed with autism many of the skills that I used to make sure that he had a good experience with school was from his mother. I do believe that we as early chilhood professionals need to have more traning on how to properly handle these children. So they can have a good experience at school.
Hey Shayla
ReplyDeleteI agree that autism training needs to be encourage more for educators. I too have limited training with autistic children. Until recent years where autism speaks campaigns, and other commercials promoting organizations and educating the world on autism started to evolve, many people have been out of the loop with ways to help. I feel that websites like zero to three and other sources have been a great help with familarizing me and the world with autism.