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@shoffmanAB
Thank you for asking for my input. As a 17yr foster parent (often for kids with medical needs), a former employee of Red Deer Public School, a homeschooler, and someone with post secondary ed. in FASD & Community Rehab, I have lots of opinions...essay comin at ya!
Thank you for asking for my input. As a 17yr foster parent (often for kids with medical needs), a former employee of Red Deer Public School, a homeschooler, and someone with post secondary ed. in FASD & Community Rehab, I have lots of opinions...essay comin at ya!
You asked if I had suggestions for wording on the mask issue: 'All children who are absolutly unable to wear a mask for medical, emotional, or cognitive reason are exempt. To maximize their protection, others working with or around them will wear a mask. They will be provided
additional supports to maximize learning as well as health & safety'.
But masks are only a fraction of the issue and, even if @AdrianaLaGrange won't act on funding other solutions, she must still know it to be true.
Here's the current situation in our home.
But masks are only a fraction of the issue and, even if @AdrianaLaGrange won't act on funding other solutions, she must still know it to be true.
Here's the current situation in our home.
My daughter, homeschooled for the past seven years, starts this Fall at the same public high school her siblings attended.
What should be an exciting time is filled with dread due to the virus but exasperated by knowing the government isn't doing everything they possibly can.
What should be an exciting time is filled with dread due to the virus but exasperated by knowing the government isn't doing everything they possibly can.
She continues to practice wearing a mask; a challenge due to sensory issues.
When you put on a shirt, your brain barely registers the sensation of material sitting on your skin. For those with sensory issues, the brain spends all day screaming "HEY, your shirt is touching you".
When you put on a shirt, your brain barely registers the sensation of material sitting on your skin. For those with sensory issues, the brain spends all day screaming "HEY, your shirt is touching you".
Now imagine that person dealing with a mask. We've already seen how well some grown adults deal with the mask situation.
Plus let's talk about the scent of hand sanitizer and the nonstop hand washing.
All of this adds up to sensory overload.
Plus let's talk about the scent of hand sanitizer and the nonstop hand washing.
All of this adds up to sensory overload.
My daughter will do her best to cope academically, emotionally, and socially, but it will be an hourly battle for her.
When she can no longer manage, it'll come out as severe behavior because her brain has reached it's limits. Now, already stressed staff has more to cope with.
When she can no longer manage, it'll come out as severe behavior because her brain has reached it's limits. Now, already stressed staff has more to cope with.
My son, legally yours since he's in care, won't do as well as his sister. He physically can't wear the mask. His sensory processing disorder is so severe I can't wash his face without getting my hands slapped.
Plus, he can't comprehend why masks are important.
Plus, he can't comprehend why masks are important.
It's not enough to say just homeschool them then.
At school he gets OT/PT, speech, and much more. As an experienced parent I could still only offer my son a fraction of the opportunity he has at school. If my daughter is also home, I have to choose which one gets my help.
At school he gets OT/PT, speech, and much more. As an experienced parent I could still only offer my son a fraction of the opportunity he has at school. If my daughter is also home, I have to choose which one gets my help.
Many kids like mine have comorbidities and are high risk. Before C-19 kids were having to share EAs which wasn't ideal. Now, sharing could lead to tragic consequences.
They NEED 1:1 assistance and additional space to cope with the added demands of navigating this new system.
They NEED 1:1 assistance and additional space to cope with the added demands of navigating this new system.
@AdrianaLaGrange I live in Red Deer, you are my MLA. I have to believe you care.
PLEASE, stop and look at things from my eyes. In fact, come to our home, meet the kids, and if you honestly can't offer us more hope than the current plan, tell us face to face.
#FundABPublicSchools
PLEASE, stop and look at things from my eyes. In fact, come to our home, meet the kids, and if you honestly can't offer us more hope than the current plan, tell us face to face.
#FundABPublicSchools
