Long Term Growth

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Long Term Growth

  • May 19, 2021
  • Posted by: Caitlin McCallum
  • Category: Wow Story
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At an early age R entered first grade at Trinity Lutheran School. He had an older sister at Trinity so his parents wanted him to attend the school to receive a Lutheran education. Even at this young age R was challenged with sensory processing issues.  For lunch he ate the same foods and could not tolerate the smells of other lunches.  He could not endure the ringing of the bells at school so his teachers would alert him before the bells would ring.  R often acted without thinking and was always in motion. He was given a weighted frog which he kept on his desk to hold, which had a calming effect on him.

The middle grades and junior high school presented new challenges with the increased homework and more responsibility.  R was allowed to chew gum to satisfy his oral sensory processing and used exercise bands around the legs of his desk so he could move freely.  These strategies helped him to pay attention during lessons.  As in all schools, the end of the day is hectic and proved to be overwhelming for R.  It was hard for him to settle down in order to organize himself to leave for the end of the day with the books and assignments he needed.  A daily check out system was instituted to help him.

The pandemic has actually been beneficial for him in terms of his sensory processing challenges.  Several times during the school year R has been quarantined at his house.  He has sat in his “cocoon chair” with his laptop to do classwork.  He has subdued string lights in his room versus the glaring school lights.  Google Classroom kept track of his incomplete and completed assignments.  During his spare time he occupied himself by  making owl bracelets out of rawhide and feathers.  His interest in anime sparked an interest in drawing these characters with spectacular jackets with intricate designs.

R has participated in services provided by Lutheran Special Education Ministries since first grade. Now as a seventh grader, R has achieved honor roll status for the first time!  Anything is possible with God’s help.

~written by Arlene Lapsansky, LSEM teacher at Trinity Lutheran School, Tinley Park, IL