What kind of education do you mean?!

"An individual's perception of hislher position in life in the context of the culture and

value systems in which he/she lives, and in relation to his/her goals,

expectations, standards and concerns. It is a broad-ranging concept,

incorporating in a complex way the person’s physical health psychological

state, level of independence, social relationships, and their relationship to

salient features of their environment" (WHO QoL Group, 1994, p. 43).

Yesterday started off with a hand client that we saw together with the OT at the clinic! We learnt so many helpful techniques that will hopefully boost up our splinting skills. I feel that we have not been exposed to enough splinting in order to put it successfully into practice, which is a little concerning. After seeing the hands client, we packed our bags and headed to Brown’s school, which accommodates learners with all sorts of disabilities that hinder the children from entering a main stream school. The OT's there started the meeting by asking us what our needs were. Once they had heard about our plans for the day care centre that we are hoping to assist in drawing up a more appropriate programme for, they all agreed that setting up a whole new programme would be asking a little much of students. Never the less, they gave us ideas and material which we are planning on implementing, even if it means that the programme will only be applied by the second group of students. We gathered some awesome ideas for therapy from the school.

Today, we paid RP Moodley a visit, which is a school for cognitively and physically impaired children. Many of the children there have ADS (autism). I was totally amazed at the programme that they are running. So many times we think that the typical ‘main stream’ education system is the way forward BUT what about all of the ‘disabled’ or ‘different’ children who do not poses the capacity to take part in the  ‘normal’ school work?! I must admit that I did not enjoy school! I felt restricted in so many ways and if I have to be completely honest with myself, I did not like the subjects that the school had to offer. Do not get me wrong, I do not regret going to school. I strongly believe that school lays down a very good foundation for life BUT what schools tend to do is to try and mould kids according to the requirements of a perfectly, according-to-the-books school child instead of trying to adapt the system according to the strengths and needs for everyday living of the child. This I realized as I was walking through the corridors of RP Moodley.   
I believe that everyone has the right to some sort of education. I say ‘some kind’ of education as this may not be the same kind of education that you and I grew up with. Pat Smart, in ‘Occupational Therapy beyond boarders’ expresses the same thoughts by saying that, “Teachers’ need to be more aware that often just a different approach is needed. (Kronenberg, et al, 2005, p.46)

 

 

At RP Moodley, the kids are taught suitable activities that they need for everyday life. Today we witnessed a teacher doing the basic task of eating breakfast with an autistic child! To them this is a huge achievement as they need to be taught, what seems to us the most simple of act over and over again in order to achieve the slightest level of independence possible.

Reference

Kronenberg et al (2005). Occuaptaional Therapy without borders, Elseve Publishers
WHO QoL Group (1994), The development of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (the WHOQoL). In: Orley, J. & Kuyken, W. (eds.). Quality of Life Assessment: International Perpespectives, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.