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• One string of learning stories
  • Going with Dean’s strengths
• Reflection

Going with Dean’s strengths

Dean was new to our secondary school this year. To begin with he faced significant challenges to stay on task, stay on site, keep safe, and engage with learning. His full-time teacher aide support initially involved at least two teacher aides. With Dean so unsettled, we decided to reduce the number of people supporting him and see if that made a difference.

22 February	Today, Dean asked me if Brad could become his teacher aide. This was the first time Dean had asked for help and showed a connection with an individual at his new school. This idea worked in well with our thoughts and had come from Dean.
13 March	Dean was getting listless in class so Brad took him outside to re-energise and re-focus. They had a few hits with a ball and Brad realised Dean was performing at a level well ahead of his peers. This was a significant turning point. We had been able to identify one of Dean’s strengths and this helped Brad and Dean form a bond. As a result of this discovery, we have used physical education as a motivator for Dean to complete work, stay on task, and re-energise himself when tired. A routine of 10 minutes work to five minutes physical activity seems to work well for Dean. This patterning has helped Dean make an adjustment to longer periods of learning and persisting with his learning. His ball skills are also improving! ACC and the school developed a close relationship with Dean’s father through weekly meetings to collaborate and help with consistency across settings. Dean was involved in this process. As a result of what we had noticed and our discussions, we looked for other ways to capitalise on Dean’s prowess in sport. The goal he was working for was to attend and participate in inter-school soccer with other students with special education needs on Wednesday afternoons.
4 June	This was Dean’s first day at inter-school soccer. Not only did Dean participate fully, he also scored the winning goal. Dean became the hero of the moment and our secret weapon in the competition!
11 June	Dean proved very popular and scored five goals today. It is great to see Dean shining in this way with his physical skills. The Wednesday competition has given him a whole new set of friends outside his own classroom and also mana in representing the school so well. He now greets and responds positively to other students who acknowledge him in the playground.
26 June	Two or three times a week Dean goes with Brad to watch basketball. Today Dean was out of sorts so Brad suggested they watch a basketball training game in the gym. They were the only spectators. As they watched they discussed moves and the quality of the play. Brad realised that this was the first time he had noticed Dean thinking some of the moves through aloud.
	Great strategising Dean! We’ll use this skill now as another way of developing your soccer moves. We wondered what other opportunities there were for Dean to join in sport safely at our school.
21 July	This term the physical education department has introduced activities for year 9 students at lunchtime. Today, Dean joined in the soccer for 20 minutes with Brad as goalie. It was great to see Dean able to join in successfully with his peers.  (Clicking on image opens full size version)
24 July	Dean worked hard in physical education today playing handball. He played well and made a real contribution to his team.

 

28 July	Today at lunchtime soccer, Dean was goalie and asked Brad to play goalie so he could play attacker. He did this safely and capably for 10 minutes. It was great to see Dean initiate a position change and cope well with it.
27 August	Today was the end of the winter sports season. This was celebrated with a special soccer tournament at Queen Elizabeth II Park. Dean scored six goals and the team won all their games. Dean’s father played with the opposing team to counter Dean! They had fun sparring with each other and showing off their skills. It was good to see Dean communicating with his team, befriending others, and seeing other members of the team appreciating him. Dean’s father is happy that Dean is settling down at school and asking for help at home when he needs to. It is good to hear about the positive progress Dean is making as we work through strategies.
4 September	Dean participated in gymnastics at physical education today and did well. He tried all types of events. His class also played cricket and he hit the ball almost the length of the hall. Hurrah! A new sport to be part of for the summer season!
Mid September	This week has brought back memories of earlier in the year. Checking with home, we found the family had shifted ahead of schedule and Dean was having real problems adapting to the change – he could not sleep, had a smaller bedroom, and so on. ACC workers offered support to help him with his new surroundings. That, together with the strategies we had developed earlier in the year, meant we were able to ride a few bumpy patches with Dean during this time.
25 September	In physical education today, Dean had a brilliant period where the class played games involved with gymnastics. Dean participated fully and enjoyed it. A gymnastics tutor worked with the class and Dean was fully involved and had a lot of fun. It is good to see him responding well again.

Next term, summer sport begins and we know that Dean has much to look forward to.

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