Remedial & Special education blog

One of my greatest concerns is that: denial that there is a bit of a problem often robs a child of early intervention. It is alarming that over the past 10+ years I have heard nursery and pre-school teachers claim that they always knew there was something developmentally not up to par with a child, but they did not inform the parents as they were concerned that the parents would:

a) think they are a bad teacher

b) blame the school and remove the child from the school (not the most ethical of concerns!)

c) blame it on a personality clash and do nothing about it…

So the problem is left because the first time the parent is told there is a difficulty is in the 2nd term of grade 1, and then they do think the teacher is crazy – because hey! There was no problem at pre-school. It is then shelved till mid grade 2 when the next teacher picks up the delay, and the child’s self esteem is taking strain because the child can see there is a problem.

Yes, high horse but it has been a real experience over the past years, and where better to raise it? But it is not only the preshool teachers, it also comes down to sound parenting. In almost all cases, the parents already know that something is not quite the same as other children.

So why is early intervention important?

a) the less developed the brain and body; the more opportunity there is to optimise development in the right direction.

b) the older the child the more “bad habit” coping strategies (stiff pencil grasp, etc) they adopt. Now the “bad habit” needs to be kicked before new ones can become habitual… Ever try stopping smoking???

c) economically this means a shorter duration of intervention, which costs less.

d) intervention happens befor self esteem is really impacted.

Do you have any opinions?