2018 Texas Focus Pre-conference: Ready, Set, Go! Orientation and Mobility Workshop Family on the Move Thursday, March 1, :30-4:15 PM

Transcription

1 Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Programs W. 45 th St. Austin, TX Texas Focus Pre-conference: Ready, Set, Go! Orientation and Mobility Workshop Family on the Move Thursday, March 1, :30-4:15 PM Presented by Heather Withrow, Mom, DeafBlogger, Artist, and Coach Austin, TX Developed for Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Programs

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3 Family on the Move Heather Withrow Figure 1 Heather swinging with her son, Orion, while other family members look on. Slide 2: The Withrow Kids Figure 2 Photo of Anastasia, Orion, and Skyler Withrow. Anastasia, Orion and Skyler 2018 Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 1

4 Slide 3: Orion s O&M Timeline Infant to almost 2: o Physical therapy from 3 different providers (Two EI teams and a private PT) 2 years old: o Started O&M services for the first time, in addition to PT. (I remember reaching.) 7 years old: o Mom started taking graduate O&M classes at Texas Tech Today: o Orion is still at it with his rock star COMS! Figure 3 Two pictures of Orion exploring objects with his hands. Slide 4: Fun and Meaningful Learning Practice what he can do, not what he can t. Playing is effortless learning, connecting and communicating, too. Whatever label your kid has, he/she is still a KID first. Action speaks louder than words -St. Anthony of Padua Motivation= Movement Figure 4 Orion is in his dad's lap; his father tickles his tummy and Orion places his hands over his dad's hand. Orion is smiling Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 2

5 Slide 5: Active Learning Resonance Board Little Room HOPSA Dress Active Learning information: Figure 5 Three photographs of Orion using various Active Learning equipment including from left to right Resonance Board, HOPSA Dress, and Little Room Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 3

6 Slide 6: Whatever Works! Rail on pegboard Playing under the bed On the bed Hammock swing Platform swing Lycra swing Lazy susan Trampoline You! Figure 6 Four photos showing things that work for Orion including: platform swing, pegboard, vibrating pillow, hammock swing. Slide 6: Whatever Works! Feeling different weights Handling large objects o Balls, boxes, foam shapes Figure 7 Three pictures of Orion: exploring a pumpkin, exercise equipment, and cardboard Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 4

7 Slide 7: Home and School Connection 1. Identify at least one O&M skill that is being taught throughout the school day. 2. Learn it and try it at home. 3. Share with family members, interveners, & friends a. Suggestion: Write a reminder on paper and post it visibly 4. Ask follow-up questions if there s any confusion or barriers. Families can request their child s school O&M specialist to come to the house. Figure 8 Orion and his COMS at home Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 5

8 Slide 8: O&M at Home Mapping of the home Concept of home and its functional areas Self-Determination How? Here are some ideas: o Landmarks (natural & artificial) o His own experiences (don t carry him) o Hand-Under-Hand o Modeling trailing skills o Pausing (to call for attention) o Follow his lead o Wait Time Figure 11 Orion down on the sidewalk. Figure 10 Orion finds the doorknob with help from his brother. Figure 9 Orion traveling with support from his COMS 2018 Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 6

9 Slide 9: Common Ground Activities Figure 12 A series of three photos showing Orion with his siblings: playing with a light toy, riding in the car, lazing on a hammock.) Swimming Hot tubbing Swinging Canoeing Sandy beaches Sitting in waves of warm water Riding with windows down Slide 10: Common Ground Activities Figure 13 A group of photos with Orion and his family: bike and trailer rides, playing in the hammock swing, playing hand games. Hand Games Bike and trailer rides Rock Climbing RV-ing Bathtime Eating meals together Playing on the bed 2018 Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 7

10 Slide 11: Take Care of Your Now Take care of the minutes; for the hours will take care of themselves. -Lord Chesterfield...then the months and years will take care of themselves. Unknown Figure 14 The three Withrow children playing is a wading pool. Slide 12: Trying New Things Orion likes to balance precariously! Support his physical experiments Security/ Safe Harbor Don t force him Figure 15 Three photographs of Orion: playing in the sand at the beach, exploring a climbing wall, doing a head-stand with help. Keep Trying! 2018 Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 8

11 Slide 13: Keep Trying! Figure 16 Orion in a stroller exploring a travel cane with hands and feet. Figure 17 Orion with his leg in a cast trying to climb up on a chest Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 9

12 Slide 14: Keep Trying! Fun for the family (Set goals and plan for it) o Struggles: Our hotel stays and botched camping o Fun: RVing at Mustang Island State Park, TX o Looking Forward: Cabin rental with air conditioning Figure 18 Two photos of Orion and his family RVing at Mustang Island Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 10

13 Slide 15: Future Activity Goals More on-water activities More rock-climbing Horseback riding Work on consistency Don t let him con us! A Mom's Musings: Orion the Kid Slide 16: Facebook Figure 19 Two pictures of Orion: rock-climbing with his dad and canoeing with his sister Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 11

14 Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Programs Figure 20 TSBVI logo Figure 21 IDEAs that Work logo and US Dept. of Education OSEP disclaimer 2018 Texas Focus Pre-Conference: Ready, Set, Go! Family on the Move Withrow, H. Page 12