How might u build a positive working relationship with a 8yr old girl who has special educational needs?

Question

general special needs. it's a question on my friend's course thing.. :-/ she's training to be a teaching assistant so how would a TA build this relationship. she may have to give examples of different special needs and things :-/

Answer 1

Actually i do this at work frequently. I will need more information on what type of special needs this 8 yr old girl has. It is extremely relevant to the answer.

Answer 2

I need more information about the girl and the person wanting to build the relationship to give an accurate answer. What kind of special needs does she have?  Do you know what she likes,  what her interests are, etc? That would help me give a more specific answer. Who (what relationship--teacher, caregiver, etc), and under what circumstances, is trying to build a relationship?  Any additional information would be helpful.

Answer 3

Treat the girl like any other child her age adjusting for her disability and understanding level (for example if she is 8 years old but only understands things at a 5 or 6 yr old level)

Use a communication system with her which she understands

Be tolerant and patient but be firm about what needs to be done to complete a task

Let the girl do as much of the task as she can before offering assistance, and always ask before offering assistance, and use the least restrictive form of assistance needed (this could be coactive - hand on hand, picture/word/verbal prompts, modelling, etc)

The following are good with any child:

Try to talk to them at their level (for instance if they are sitting on the floor you sit with them)

Treat them like they have some brains don't talk down to them

Answer 4

Talk to the parents to find suggestions of reinforcers...things she really likes and want.  For example, maybe she loves horses.  The aide can purchase (or ask the parents to purchase) inexpensive horse-related items to be used as reinforcers.  At the beginning of the day, have the student choose which of the reinforcers she would like to work for.  If she struggles during the day, the aide can remind her of what she is working for.  If it has been a good day, she receives the reinforcer at the end of the day.

By talking to the parents, the aide can learn the child's interests, likes, dislikes, etc.  In short, the aide can be a friend.  But the aide must make sure she is firm from the get-go.  Kids are very smart and can make the aides allow them to escape from an activity.  For example, there was a 9 yr old girl who had an aide.  This 9 yr old was smart but was three grade levels behind.  She was very cute.  It was observed that whenever there was a demanding task she did not want to do, she would start crying.  The aide would like at those tearful eyes and give in.  This not only reinforced the escape behavior, but certainly didn't help to remediate her academics!

Lastly, open communication with the parents is essential to the success of the child.  Some school districts do not allow this but I have seen plenty of aides give out their personal cell phones and home phones so the lines of communication can remain open.  Open communication builds trust which is vital to the success of the kiddos!