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Alijah LaRose – A special child with special needs
Relaxing at home
When the new school year begins in September, it would be a new beginning for a number of children. Some children would be going out to school for the first time. Others would be making adjustments so as to be able to cope with a different system as would be the case of the child moving from primary to secondary school, or from nursery to primary school.
While teachers are generally equipped to take the child through that necessary transition, much depends on the individual- his willingness to adjust as well as the pace at which he is able to adjust. However, children do not all develop at the same rate, and those who fall outside the norm, would definitely require special attention.
Schools are generally measured or assessed by the performance of students at examinations. Parents have been spending money for “extra lessons,” because they want their child to do well at exams. What then, of the child who is challenged or differently abled?
Alijah LaRose recently completed nursery school. He received the award for being the most cooperative pupil, and like every other child, he is expected to proceed to primary school come September, and his mother is prepared to have him attend school like any other child.
This child, however, does have some special needs. He cannot move around like the normal child. He cannot walk. He goes on hands and knees. According to his mother, there was some misfortune at the time of his birth resulting in his present condition, and he is still under medical supervision.
Alijah’s father, Sergeant Leonard LaRose, a former member of the Guyana Police Force, died in the line of duty earlier this year.
Alijah is a very special child. He is not resigned to his ‘fate’. He wants to be like the other children: to be able to run and jump, and to play like children do. It is reported that whenever his teacher wanted anything done in class he was the first to volunteer, but being physically challenged , little Alijah very often is not allowed to be involved in certain activities mainly for his protection , despite his desire and willingness to be involved.
The child has a healthy self-concept, and would want to be like other children, but there are challenges which he has to overcome. His situation has brought a special challenge for his mother who is a single parent, and the child presents special challenges for the mother also. He requires special attention, for he has special needs.
Come September, Alijah is expected to begin primary school, for he is of the age at which he is expected to be in school according to the law. His proud mother wants him to have an education, and stands ready to support him through school. She has been there for him through nursery school and the teachers have been very supportive as well. However, the dynamics at primary school are different when compared to nursery school, hence a different set of challenges await this special child as he embarks upon primary education.
His special needs would have to be met if Alijah is to realize his true potential. It means that there are special challenges ahead for the teachers who would have the responsibility of providing the child with the relevant experiences required of primary school.
It does not stop there. The education department would have had to play its part in providing the necessary support for the teachers.
In the more developed societies there are special facilities for children with special needs, thereby allowing for equal opportunities for all children. Alijah’s mother is hoping that the system would provide him with the relevant experiences that would allow him to have a normal school life despite his challenges.
Alijah is expected to be enrolled at the Number Five Primary School when the new school year begins in September.
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