SPRING EDITION 2010
BABY LIVVI'S SHORT LIFE INSPIRES A PLACE WHERE
EVERYONE CAN PLAY
Ever felt like your heart was beaming and breaking at the same time?
That’s the magic of being ‘Touched by Olivia’.
On the 8th of July while researching another project, I stumbled on a website so moving, I emailed the site owner immediately. Although I didn't know it at the time, I was about to be captivated by a husband and wife whose courage is contagious.
John and Justine Perkins have channeled their inconceivable grief from losing their baby daughter, into helping other families. Their charity Touched by Olivia has funded the first, all abilities playground, where sick and special needs children can play together with their families and friends.
Olivia Perkins only lived to be eight months old, but her legacy lives on through her parents work.
John and Justine have already raised over $2million through the Touched by Olivia Foundation since 2006 - when their daughter Olivia died of the rare disease Lymphangioma.
The couple's charity invests in two things:
- The Royal Children's Hospital, Randwick, Sydney (where Olivia was cared for and ultimately died).
- All ability playgrounds, the first of which is ‘Livvi’s Place’.
Everyone's Playground
A playground where everyone can play together, 'Livvi's Place'...
...fulfills a dream for many children and their families who have
experienced frustration in finding fun, safe and accessible places to play.
...gives special needs kids the opportunity to play side by side
with their brothers and sisters and their friends…
...encourages inclusion, rather than exclusion and gives children the
opportunity to exhibit tolerance and acceptance of other children who
may not look or act in the same way.
...has been researched and specially chosen. Equipment has been
modified to help children who have impairments, whether
they are physical, mental or emotional, and it encourages inter-generational
play so that adults can interact with their children at a play level.
...doesn't look like a "special playground" and this is deliberate as its aim is to
encourage kids, regardless of their ability, to interact with each other, and most
of all have fun!
- Justine Perkins
Channeling Grief to Benefit the Community Clearly, passion and research contributes to the playground - constructed through a partnership between the Touched by Olivia Foundation, City of Canada Bay and Leighton Contractors.
'Touched by Olivia' recognises the importance of play for children. It also recognises that not all sick children or children with special needs are in hospital but are cared for at home,' said Justine.
The former lawyer dedicates as much as four to six hours a day to the foundation and her husband John dedicates even more time. 'I often refer to Olivia - fondly of course - as my most demanding child,' she said.
Considering the energy that goes into the foundation, it's easy to wonder where the Perkin's get their spark.
After we lost Olivia, John and I were desperate to try and find some meaning
from our loss. ..We needed to concentrate on what Olivia's life meant to
us and what it meant to other families.
Supporting the hospital was a given and turning our efforts into creating
more awareness and support around Lymphatic Birthmarks (of which
Olivia's disease belonged to) seemed to make sense given there is very
little exposure to and funding of this category of diseases.
We also felt that the concept of children at play was paramount and were
very confronted to find statistics suggesting that not only are rare diseases
on the rise, but a child's health is on the decline.
Playgrounds seemed our obvious choice - it felt right to dedicate time and
energy into building places of play that we know Olivia, had she survived,
would have enjoyed as well as catering for other children whose health or
abilities are compromised.
- Justine Perkins
More Hands Make Light Work
John and Justine have clearly worked hard to produce life improving equipment that benefit so many. If you would like to contribute, here are some ways that you can:
There are many ways we would love for your readers to become engaged:
- Maybe they live near Livvi's Place - I encourage them to go and visit the playground.
- Maybe they would like a 'Livvi's Place' in their area - we are always looking for other community groups, councils, and private partnerships to continue our dream of all children having access to a 'Livvi's Place'.
- They can also volunteer at our events, such as our annual Butterfly Ball raising money for Sydney Children's Hospital, or come along as a guest, bring a table.
- There are also other types of pro bono work depending on skill level that we are always grateful to receive such as IT support, PR support, prize sourcing, academic support, grant application support.
The Spirit of Olivia
Her voice quivered through the phone at the mention of Olivia, but Justine is devoted to keeping her daughter's memory alive.
She was a very easy going baby. Extremely smiley, a real chubby bub, loved
her food, loved her big brother.
Her only sign that something had not quite formed right was the fact that she
was born with an enlarged left arm and slightly skewed left hand. This was
diagnosed as a hypertrophy, ie extra muscles had grown in her arm and hand
that made it look enlarged. Olivia was given a splint to wear on her hand and
we did physio with her on her fingers.
There was no further explanation and no suggestion that something more
sinister or dire was going on inside.
It wasn't until she got sick with a cold and then croup at 7 months that things
started to unfold. Olivia's disease, being a malformation of her lymphatic
system, meant that her body was not able to disperse of her lymphatic fluid
properly. As a result, when she fell sick, the body, as it should, created
lymphatic fluid to fight the infection, which in Olivia's case, resulted in a mass
pooling of fluid inside her chest cavity. This fluid compromised her breathing,
and started to squash her trachea. The fluid also travelled right through her
chest and began to wrap itself around her vital organs.
By the time the doctors realised what was happening, the disease had spread
too far.
- Justine Perkins
To conclude, researching and writing about the Touched by Olivia Foundation has been an emotional experience for me. From the moment I entered the website, I was mesmerised.
I don't pretend to completely understand Justine and John's loss. But, as a mother myself, I am in awe of their strength and commitment to making other people's lives less traumatic then their own.
It's a warming feeling to see - first hand - the spirit of a good heart. And, it warms the human spirit to be 'Touched by Olivia'.
TESTIMONIES FOR 'LIVVI'S PLACE'
"Parks are a wonderful outing, we enjoy them immensely. Mostly, Clare is a bystander, whilst her sister "dutifully" climbs, slides, swings and squeals with excitement. But, on that day, Clare was just like everyone else, joining in and giving it a go, wheelchair and all." Tammy
"Thanks for such a wonderful playground. I have 5 year old twins - one of whom has Down Syndrome. We took the twins there today for the first time. The equipment is fantastic but I was especially taken by the atmosphere. There were at least 3 other children there with 'special needs'. It was great to be out and about with a truly diverse range of people from our community. It brought a tear to my eye to see so many families participating so easily in the very ordinary activity of taking the kids to the park. We made a few new friends today too. Thanks again." Shelley
"I feel like someone has walked in my shoes and really gets what goes on with children on the spectrum. I actually started crying by the time I got to the details of the play equipment because every single thing that usually makes it so difficult for us has been so completely addressed." Sandra, mother of 2 autistic children
Contact Justine Perkins on:
www.touchedbyolivia.com.au
Livvi's Place Address:
Timbrell Park, Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock.
Sydney
EM takes this opportunity to wish Justine the best of luck, she is one of three finalists for the Pride of Australia medal in the community spirit category - winner announced on the 15th September.
SUCCESSFUL DESPITE CHALLENGES: TWO STRONG WOMEN RECOUNT THEIR JOURNEY
A Westgate metaphor
Crossing the Westgate Bridge, Melbourne’s skyline is behind me; ahead the west is all twinkling lights. I round the top, and a sense of home envelopes me. Inevitably, I reflect on my parents’ arrival in Australia. Their refugee story like all others is punctuated with trauma, loss and grief. They arrived with one suitcase, its chief contents—determination and hope.
They passed on those traits through daily demonstration. Problems were there to be solved. If one thing didn’t work, they tried another. Patience played a part in finding how to make life better. Mum told me to walk with my eyes upward, not cast to the dirt of the footpath. Look up toward what is yet ahead.
Looking ahead on the Westgate Bridge is deceptive. It seems to run straight but it has a snaking curve. With frustrating regularity, there are traffic snarls, accidents, obstacles. Some days it flies; others it crawls but there is only one direction and that's forward. Like life in general, it’s one-way traffic. There’s no ‘reverse’.
My parents’ lessons have taken me through a marriage break up, a son’s childhood cancer, job losses, remarriage, adjustment to new role of as a step-mum, my mother’s last long illness, my own unexpected open-heart surgery, a consequent loss of identity, career and an ongoing battle with chronic pain. These are facts I can't change. I can't ‘reverse’. I have to continue in the forward direction.
I have my moments, but even on my slowest days, when I’m struggling, I remind myself that things change. If I can't find one solution, there will be another. I flow with life’s traffic; wait out the snarls, and even at a crawl, when I get to the top, the view into the distance can be magnificent.
Crossing the Westgate Bridge, Melbourne’s skyline is behind me; ahead the west is all twinkling lights. I round the top, and a sense of home envelopes me. Inevitably, I reflect on my parents’ arrival in Australia. Their refugee story like all others is punctuated with trauma, loss and grief. They arrived with one suitcase, its chief contents—determination and hope.
They passed on those traits through daily demonstration. Problems were there to be solved. If one thing didn’t work, they tried another. Patience played a part in finding how to make life better. Mum told me to walk with my eyes upward, not cast to the dirt of the footpath. Look up toward what is yet ahead.
Looking ahead on the Westgate Bridge is deceptive. It seems to run straight but it has a snaking curve. With frustrating regularity, there are traffic snarls, accidents, obstacles. Some days it flies; others it crawls but there is only one direction and that's forward. Like life in general, it’s one-way traffic. There’s no ‘reverse’.
My parents’ lessons have taken me through a marriage break up, a son’s childhood cancer, job losses, remarriage, adjustment to new role of as a step-mum, my mother’s last long illness, my own unexpected open-heart surgery, a consequent loss of identity, career and an ongoing battle with chronic pain. These are facts I can't change. I can't ‘reverse’. I have to continue in the forward direction.
I have my moments, but even on my slowest days, when I’m struggling, I remind myself that things change. If I can't find one solution, there will be another. I flow with life’s traffic; wait out the snarls, and even at a crawl, when I get to the top, the view into the distance can be magnificent.
Alison Whan is one of the editors of Offset Magazine & is in her final year of a BA in Creative Writing
www.offsetjournal.com
www.offsetjournal.com
By Alison Whan
8th September 2010
Mature Aged Student
8th September 2010
Mature Aged Student
‘Regrets, I’ve had a few.’ I think Frank Sinatra summed up many people’s lives with that one line and my life was no exception. At seventeen I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and my less than spectacular HSC results reflected that. Not that I didn’t have a brain, or something to say, or something to contribute to the world. It was just that I had to wait until I was thirty-eight years of age and a mother of two, to summon up the courage (and bank account) to do something about it.
Enrolling in an Arts Degree at Victoria University was a spur-of-the-moment decision to say the least, and that first day of Orientation, wandering around the vast St Albans campus trying desperately to look like I belonged there, or at least find another person who didn’t look like they could be my child, was a daunting experience. I survived that first week—just, and have been lucky to find some other ‘oldies’ along the way to make my uni life feel right, feel like I had made the correct decision and wasn’t wasting four years and thousands of dollars on a dream that would lead to nothing.
Three years, countless words written, exams sat and hours spent reading and researching later I now find myself Managing Editor of VU’s Creative Arts Journal – Offset. This has been a revelation, and apart from the extra work load and therefore added pressure of juggling school and home life it has been one of the best (and most practical) experiences at university.
I don't regret filling in that enrollment form one hot January day, and I don't regret that it has taken me so long to get here, I am just sad that there are so few people who get to experience what I have over the last three years.
Enrolling in an Arts Degree at Victoria University was a spur-of-the-moment decision to say the least, and that first day of Orientation, wandering around the vast St Albans campus trying desperately to look like I belonged there, or at least find another person who didn’t look like they could be my child, was a daunting experience. I survived that first week—just, and have been lucky to find some other ‘oldies’ along the way to make my uni life feel right, feel like I had made the correct decision and wasn’t wasting four years and thousands of dollars on a dream that would lead to nothing.
Three years, countless words written, exams sat and hours spent reading and researching later I now find myself Managing Editor of VU’s Creative Arts Journal – Offset. This has been a revelation, and apart from the extra work load and therefore added pressure of juggling school and home life it has been one of the best (and most practical) experiences at university.
I don't regret filling in that enrollment form one hot January day, and I don't regret that it has taken me so long to get here, I am just sad that there are so few people who get to experience what I have over the last three years.
MUST WE MEASURE INTELLIGENCE?
Children learn in their own way. I strongly support this theory.
As an integration aide, I concentrate on individuality. I promote persistence to my struggling learners and motivate them to try their best.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING
Like Howard Gardner – who promotes eight types of intelligence in his Multiple Intelligence Theory – I believe intelligence is unique in every person. Unfortunately, our learning standards often expect a particular intelligence that some children just don’t have.
Sure, we create individual learning programs for struggling learners and of course it is necessary to teach them the fundamental aspects of writing and arithmetic. I also concur with measuring their progress in order to create new strategies for them to learn. At the same time, I believe we should look for their gifts and remind these children as often as we can, that they have them.
INTELLIGENCE TESTING TIMELINE
Since 1869, we have measured intelligence by Hereditary Genius, Mental Age, Intelligence Scale and Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
SUCCESSFUL STRUGGLING LEARNERS
How sad for the world if future John F. Kennedy’s, Richard Branson’s and Albert Einstein’s lose their determination before they can succeed? These men collectively experienced learning difficulties like Autism and ADHD and would have probably scored poorly had they been intelligence tested; fortunately they were exceptionally determined people. This validates the concern that our fixation on measuring intelligence can have a detrimental affect on our children and their motivation.
LEARNING TYPES AND TESTING
Teaching to children’s learning types is being implemented in Australian classrooms. Fortunately, we realise that children can be visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. However, for some purposes we still use a one-size-fits-all approach to measuring intelligence. Unfortunately, this has the potential of killing the spirit of struggling learners who hold less information than our testing methods deem acceptable.
LOOK FOR THEIR TALENTS
To realise the talents of struggling learners, we must first stop expecting an unrealistic result. However, it’s important to acknowledge what they can do, which is often very impressive. I can recall several occasions when the children I was teaching taught me a thing or two. They are generous, funny and they have a nurturing ability that other children relate to. It’s essential that we question their abilities, but it is imperative we remember that each child is unique in what they can do.
CHILDREN TEACHING CHILDREN
Children are ideal teachers for children, as demonstrated by Mildura West Primary School during their kids teaching kids days – a whole school project that underpinned the contribution of school children to environmental care. Surely, we recognise that children have power to influence others, and struggling learners are no exception. Perhaps I dream too large, but I believe that by encouraging the unique talents of struggling learners and nurturing their determination to try, they will pay it forward to struggling learners. Eventually, a new genre of intelligence will manifest itself.
The teaching world is full of useful techniques, strategies and measurements – Cognitive Behavioural Training and MAPS, to name a few. These methods have proven successful in developing learning goals and tactics. However, each child has their own experiences, psychological makeup and competence; yet the ‘all rounder’ intelligence test – Intelligence Quotient (IQ) – has cemented itself into our society. How important is it anyway?
It takes a village to raise a child – parents, teachers, relatives and friends, all have the power to make a difference. Together, we can make the ultimate difference, by measuring what is really important, the essence of our children to discover it is multifaceted. And yet, we continue to determine intelligence based on the Wechsler Scales: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. This leaves children who do not fit this model feeling like failures.
As an integration aide, I concentrate on individuality. I promote persistence to my struggling learners and motivate them to try their best.
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING
Like Howard Gardner – who promotes eight types of intelligence in his Multiple Intelligence Theory – I believe intelligence is unique in every person. Unfortunately, our learning standards often expect a particular intelligence that some children just don’t have.
Sure, we create individual learning programs for struggling learners and of course it is necessary to teach them the fundamental aspects of writing and arithmetic. I also concur with measuring their progress in order to create new strategies for them to learn. At the same time, I believe we should look for their gifts and remind these children as often as we can, that they have them.
INTELLIGENCE TESTING TIMELINE
Since 1869, we have measured intelligence by Hereditary Genius, Mental Age, Intelligence Scale and Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
SUCCESSFUL STRUGGLING LEARNERS
How sad for the world if future John F. Kennedy’s, Richard Branson’s and Albert Einstein’s lose their determination before they can succeed? These men collectively experienced learning difficulties like Autism and ADHD and would have probably scored poorly had they been intelligence tested; fortunately they were exceptionally determined people. This validates the concern that our fixation on measuring intelligence can have a detrimental affect on our children and their motivation.
LEARNING TYPES AND TESTING
Teaching to children’s learning types is being implemented in Australian classrooms. Fortunately, we realise that children can be visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. However, for some purposes we still use a one-size-fits-all approach to measuring intelligence. Unfortunately, this has the potential of killing the spirit of struggling learners who hold less information than our testing methods deem acceptable.
LOOK FOR THEIR TALENTS
To realise the talents of struggling learners, we must first stop expecting an unrealistic result. However, it’s important to acknowledge what they can do, which is often very impressive. I can recall several occasions when the children I was teaching taught me a thing or two. They are generous, funny and they have a nurturing ability that other children relate to. It’s essential that we question their abilities, but it is imperative we remember that each child is unique in what they can do.
CHILDREN TEACHING CHILDREN
Children are ideal teachers for children, as demonstrated by Mildura West Primary School during their kids teaching kids days – a whole school project that underpinned the contribution of school children to environmental care. Surely, we recognise that children have power to influence others, and struggling learners are no exception. Perhaps I dream too large, but I believe that by encouraging the unique talents of struggling learners and nurturing their determination to try, they will pay it forward to struggling learners. Eventually, a new genre of intelligence will manifest itself.
The teaching world is full of useful techniques, strategies and measurements – Cognitive Behavioural Training and MAPS, to name a few. These methods have proven successful in developing learning goals and tactics. However, each child has their own experiences, psychological makeup and competence; yet the ‘all rounder’ intelligence test – Intelligence Quotient (IQ) – has cemented itself into our society. How important is it anyway?
It takes a village to raise a child – parents, teachers, relatives and friends, all have the power to make a difference. Together, we can make the ultimate difference, by measuring what is really important, the essence of our children to discover it is multifaceted. And yet, we continue to determine intelligence based on the Wechsler Scales: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. This leaves children who do not fit this model feeling like failures.
EX-FOOTBALLER GLENN MANTON GIVES MORE THAN A GOOD GAME
Glenn Manton's football career made him a famous man. But it's his work with troubled kids through his charity - Whitelion, and his all round generosity as a human being, that makes him a good one.
In conversation with Glenn Manton.
In conversation with Glenn Manton.
Louise: Glenn, you are a philanthropist, public speaker and ex-Carlton footballer, is there anything else you would describe yourself as?
Glenn: (I have a) collective mix of skills. I sample anything and everything. I am driven by relationships, creativity & new experiences. These three factors, three aspects will make me live to be a ripe old age.
Louise: What initiated your crusade to help people?
Glenn: I wouldn’t say I was on a crusade. I focus to work with other people. I grew up in a family were we discussed people. Not race and religion, a vast number of people.
Louise: How do you help?
Glenn: I am a broker, a bridge. (I look at) problems and solutions. My passion for people allows me to take risks on their behalf. My overarching sense of who I am allows me to make a difference.
Louise: If you could offer one bit of advice to my readers, what would it be?
Glenn: Knowledge of self is the greatest knowledge anyone can hold.
Louise: Do you believe that the ability to achieve depends on one’s intellect?
Glenn:Emotionally, absolutely. First port of call is to understand yourself as a person. Updating it (your understanding), moment to moment.
Louise: For those of us who are new to this, where do we start in understanding ourselves?
Glenn:Ask yourself questions. Find space to ask those questions. Give yourself room to ask yourself questions. For me, (I do it while) riding the train, sitting in the park, going for a walk.
Louise: How do you stay motivated?
Glenn: (Have) the ability to set realistic goals. Put yourself in a place you can reach and touch your goals. Be prepared to fail, it’s not the same as failing.
Louise: What is the key to reaching our full potential?
Glenn: (Be) exact in all you have done. Push yourself to the best of your ability. (If you fail)…that’s okay. Did you just fail? If you invested no time, no energy, if you are unrealistic in setting goals, you just failed.
Louise: What drives you?
Glenn: I wish to participate. I’m not here to sit on the couch. (However) with participation comes risk, failure, backward steps. I don’t expect to come first in the race. I just want to be in the race.
Louise: How do you keep yourself balanced?
Glenn: Various aspect of my working life, I always find a way to get them done. My real world life? I am absolutely no different to anyone else. I find it hard to get up on Sunday’s. I find it hard to skip down the street. My kite is level if you will; high as a kite one day, crashing down the next. I’m trying to fly it as cleverly as I can. I’m not trying to fly it in a storm.
http://www.glennmanton.com.au/
www.whitelion.org.au
Glenn: (I have a) collective mix of skills. I sample anything and everything. I am driven by relationships, creativity & new experiences. These three factors, three aspects will make me live to be a ripe old age.
Louise: What initiated your crusade to help people?
Glenn: I wouldn’t say I was on a crusade. I focus to work with other people. I grew up in a family were we discussed people. Not race and religion, a vast number of people.
Louise: How do you help?
Glenn: I am a broker, a bridge. (I look at) problems and solutions. My passion for people allows me to take risks on their behalf. My overarching sense of who I am allows me to make a difference.
Louise: If you could offer one bit of advice to my readers, what would it be?
Glenn: Knowledge of self is the greatest knowledge anyone can hold.
Louise: Do you believe that the ability to achieve depends on one’s intellect?
Glenn:Emotionally, absolutely. First port of call is to understand yourself as a person. Updating it (your understanding), moment to moment.
Louise: For those of us who are new to this, where do we start in understanding ourselves?
Glenn:Ask yourself questions. Find space to ask those questions. Give yourself room to ask yourself questions. For me, (I do it while) riding the train, sitting in the park, going for a walk.
Louise: How do you stay motivated?
Glenn: (Have) the ability to set realistic goals. Put yourself in a place you can reach and touch your goals. Be prepared to fail, it’s not the same as failing.
Louise: What is the key to reaching our full potential?
Glenn: (Be) exact in all you have done. Push yourself to the best of your ability. (If you fail)…that’s okay. Did you just fail? If you invested no time, no energy, if you are unrealistic in setting goals, you just failed.
Louise: What drives you?
Glenn: I wish to participate. I’m not here to sit on the couch. (However) with participation comes risk, failure, backward steps. I don’t expect to come first in the race. I just want to be in the race.
Louise: How do you keep yourself balanced?
Glenn: Various aspect of my working life, I always find a way to get them done. My real world life? I am absolutely no different to anyone else. I find it hard to get up on Sunday’s. I find it hard to skip down the street. My kite is level if you will; high as a kite one day, crashing down the next. I’m trying to fly it as cleverly as I can. I’m not trying to fly it in a storm.
http://www.glennmanton.com.au/
www.whitelion.org.au
TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
Are all struggling learners diagnosed with a condition?
No. The term struggling learners is used to describe children – diagnosed or not – who struggle to learn.
Are children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, Aspergers, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia and Language Delay, limited in what they can achieve?
It depends on where they are on the spectrum. However, when you consider that Tom Cruise, Thomas Edison, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Graham Bell and many more experienced learning difficulties, I think probably not.
What are five things we need to know about struggling learners?
What determines a struggling learner?
Their limited verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed (Wechsler Scale).
What academic support is available for these children?
Victorians schools have many strategies in place – Cognitive Behavioural Training and MAPS, are just two.
Are there any books on the market about struggling learners?
Yes, there are many. Some titles are: Robert the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus, I’m like you, you’re like me by Cindy Garner, How many days until tomorrow? By Caroline Janover, Ella’s Handbag by Louise Crossley, Emily in Love by Susan Goldman Rubin, Reach for the Moon by Samantha Abeel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by M. Haddon and I’m Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt, to name a few.
What strategies can be implemented to give struggling learners the best opportunity to learn?
Student: He taken my pencil.
Teacher/Parent: Oh, he has taken your pencil.
How do we keep these children motivated?
By focusing on what they can do and not expecting more than they can deliver.
What is RIDER?
RIDER is an acronym for:: Read, Image (picture), Describe, Evaluate (check) and Repeat. This is an effective strategy that helps children remember by reading and visualizing text/instructions to improve their ability to describe and follow them correctly.
How do we keep motivated when our children are academically falling behind?
Find the gifts in your child and never measure them against other children. Every child is unique whether they are struggling learners or not.
No. The term struggling learners is used to describe children – diagnosed or not – who struggle to learn.
Are children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, Aspergers, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia and Language Delay, limited in what they can achieve?
It depends on where they are on the spectrum. However, when you consider that Tom Cruise, Thomas Edison, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Graham Bell and many more experienced learning difficulties, I think probably not.
What are five things we need to know about struggling learners?
- They learn through repletion
- They may have sensory disorders
- They need encouragement
- They can learn
- They are individuals first
What determines a struggling learner?
Their limited verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed (Wechsler Scale).
What academic support is available for these children?
Victorians schools have many strategies in place – Cognitive Behavioural Training and MAPS, are just two.
Are there any books on the market about struggling learners?
Yes, there are many. Some titles are: Robert the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus, I’m like you, you’re like me by Cindy Garner, How many days until tomorrow? By Caroline Janover, Ella’s Handbag by Louise Crossley, Emily in Love by Susan Goldman Rubin, Reach for the Moon by Samantha Abeel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by M. Haddon and I’m Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt, to name a few.
What strategies can be implemented to give struggling learners the best opportunity to learn?
- Reduce distraction and noise
- Give instructions in shore, simple, sentences
- Use incidental Modelling – repeat back correct sentence structure instead of making a point of what the child has said wrong-
Student: He taken my pencil.
Teacher/Parent: Oh, he has taken your pencil.
How do we keep these children motivated?
By focusing on what they can do and not expecting more than they can deliver.
What is RIDER?
RIDER is an acronym for:: Read, Image (picture), Describe, Evaluate (check) and Repeat. This is an effective strategy that helps children remember by reading and visualizing text/instructions to improve their ability to describe and follow them correctly.
How do we keep motivated when our children are academically falling behind?
Find the gifts in your child and never measure them against other children. Every child is unique whether they are struggling learners or not.
FROM TRUCK DRIVER TO UNIVERSITY LECTURER: THE MICHAEL HYDE STORY
Author and teacher Michael Hyde has a writing portfolio that is the envy of every writing enthusiast.
His literary achievements are impressive. What is more impressive however is his determination, drive and persistence.
ONE MAN, MANY EXPERIENCES
When he’s not teaching, the devoted lecturer is busy writing books. Hyde's writing career spans over three-and-a-half decades and has taken him to every crevice of the writing industry.
And yet, he still looks back at his truck driving years fondly – Hyde was a trucker for a number of years, in between teaching, and often reflects on the experience with his learners.
Hyde’s equally proud of his time teaching troubled youth at Footscray Tech. His professional contribution gave adolescence - who had been expelled from many schools - a second chance, by giving them a creative outlet and teaching them creative writing.
GREAT ATTITUDE WINS
The former trucker’s attitude towards his writing career is the same as it is in every area of his life – never give up!
“Every single bloody writer bar maybe a few will tell you how many times they have been knocked back,” he said.
Impressively, knock backs don’t deter Hyde. He gets back on the horse by building professional relationships and attends literary events like the Melbourne Writer's Festival. He also recommends those held at the Victorian Writer's Centre.
“Connections, connections, connections, connections….When you start getting in the swim, you hear of things,” he said.
WHAT'S WITH CROWS?
I suspect, Hyde’s quirky interest in crows enhances his writing appeal. To many, crows are not gentile creatures, and yet to Hyde they are spiritual.
“Trekking with Gabriel (Hyde’s wife) in misty, spiritual places I came across crows,” he said.
Perhaps, as a survivor of cancer he can relate to their strength and resilience.
“They could float but they also are survivors,” he said.
The unassuming birds are innovative enough to make their own tools, nurturing enough to protect their own and relentless enough to seek revenge.
FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY
It appears being open to suggestions and opportunities has worked for Hyde.
“Roll with the punches,” he said.
No doubt it has helps to know exactly who you are and what you are capable of. And, to be an approachable guy with popular interests like sport, and unique fascinations like the one he has for crows.
Certainly, Hyde’s ability to juggle teaching, writing books, articles, short stories and run workshops and present events, provides him with many ways to express, share and achieve.
Detrimental to his success, is Hyde’s generosity, authenticity, passion and his gratefulness. He is modest about his achievements though proud of his portfolio. He has made the effort to understand his chosen industry and to source his own work. He is continuously improving his craft and doesn’t rest on his laurels. He is a likable guy who is open and giving.
It seems to me that Hyde is the epitome of what it means to be successful – a professional who explores, fine tune, utilizes and never gives up on what he can do.
His literary achievements are impressive. What is more impressive however is his determination, drive and persistence.
ONE MAN, MANY EXPERIENCES
When he’s not teaching, the devoted lecturer is busy writing books. Hyde's writing career spans over three-and-a-half decades and has taken him to every crevice of the writing industry.
And yet, he still looks back at his truck driving years fondly – Hyde was a trucker for a number of years, in between teaching, and often reflects on the experience with his learners.
Hyde’s equally proud of his time teaching troubled youth at Footscray Tech. His professional contribution gave adolescence - who had been expelled from many schools - a second chance, by giving them a creative outlet and teaching them creative writing.
GREAT ATTITUDE WINS
The former trucker’s attitude towards his writing career is the same as it is in every area of his life – never give up!
“Every single bloody writer bar maybe a few will tell you how many times they have been knocked back,” he said.
Impressively, knock backs don’t deter Hyde. He gets back on the horse by building professional relationships and attends literary events like the Melbourne Writer's Festival. He also recommends those held at the Victorian Writer's Centre.
“Connections, connections, connections, connections….When you start getting in the swim, you hear of things,” he said.
WHAT'S WITH CROWS?
I suspect, Hyde’s quirky interest in crows enhances his writing appeal. To many, crows are not gentile creatures, and yet to Hyde they are spiritual.
“Trekking with Gabriel (Hyde’s wife) in misty, spiritual places I came across crows,” he said.
Perhaps, as a survivor of cancer he can relate to their strength and resilience.
“They could float but they also are survivors,” he said.
The unassuming birds are innovative enough to make their own tools, nurturing enough to protect their own and relentless enough to seek revenge.
FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY
It appears being open to suggestions and opportunities has worked for Hyde.
“Roll with the punches,” he said.
No doubt it has helps to know exactly who you are and what you are capable of. And, to be an approachable guy with popular interests like sport, and unique fascinations like the one he has for crows.
Certainly, Hyde’s ability to juggle teaching, writing books, articles, short stories and run workshops and present events, provides him with many ways to express, share and achieve.
Detrimental to his success, is Hyde’s generosity, authenticity, passion and his gratefulness. He is modest about his achievements though proud of his portfolio. He has made the effort to understand his chosen industry and to source his own work. He is continuously improving his craft and doesn’t rest on his laurels. He is a likable guy who is open and giving.
It seems to me that Hyde is the epitome of what it means to be successful – a professional who explores, fine tune, utilizes and never gives up on what he can do.
CLOSET MERINGUE
At first glance, this every day mother of three may seem a tad reserved. But, like the humble onion, I can make your eyes water when you peel the layers away.
Just before you M-rate my article I had better mention that my intention is not to shock or the horrify, only ‘sweetify’ (to cause acute stimulation to the heart’s ‘taste buds’ through excessive idealism and corny embellishments).
Okay, I’m not a ‘cool potato’, but my antics have elicited reactions. Like the ‘MySpace’ saga, when my daughter registered me in an attempt to make me a cooler mum – needless to say it backfired.
I used MySpace to express my dork status and I sealed the deal with my song choice – the very cool Helen Reddy singing I am woman. Unexpectedly though, I received dozens of friend requests who claimed to be dorks too; liberating ha?
Or, a few years ago I wore my happy shoes to work for three consecutive weeks, in an effort to cheer up the new preps who were missing their mums. Since then, I have been approached by several children who ask me with delightful enthusiasm, if I still have my happy shoes. This has made the odd looks I had received from grown-ups worthwhile.
The piece de resistance is when I organized a ‘this is your life’ birthday party for both my parents. I was determined to concentrate on the edification my parents deserved and not on those in the corner rolling their eyes and tutting ‘trust Louise’.
The truth is, I am too old to hide ‘under the radar’, so here I am!
The other day I watched Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore on TV. My favourite part is when Barrymore waits vulnerably on the baseball field for a reaction to her article – that’s what I’m doing now. Don’t worry though, I won’t be literally waiting anywhere for anyone. I do however, want to come out of the closet - or should I say pantry - as a meringue!
I think the meringue is a perfect metaphor for me – too rich for some and a sugar rush for others. Sure, it would be easier to be subtle shortbread that melts in your mouth or, ever popular chocolate mud cake, but we have enough of them – the world needs variety.
That’s why, to every desserts out there I say, 'Don’t sugar coat who you are. You're sweet enough'.
MINUTES OF SELF THERAPY CAN MAKE YOUR HALF EMPTY GLASS, HALF FULL AGAIN
Natasha Colchester is a professional Kinesiologist.
Natasha has a BA in Behavioural Science and a Diploma of Kinesiology.
www.seekbalance.com.au
Kinesiology is a system for reading the imprint that life has left on our bodies, and clearing away what is no longer working to our best advantage. Ultimately helping us to reach our true potential!
By Natasha Colchester
8th September 2010
Natasha has a BA in Behavioural Science and a Diploma of Kinesiology.
www.seekbalance.com.au
Kinesiology is a system for reading the imprint that life has left on our bodies, and clearing away what is no longer working to our best advantage. Ultimately helping us to reach our true potential!
By Natasha Colchester
8th September 2010
The negative affects of stress on our emotional and physical wellbeing can be substantial.
Yet, most of us are guilty of neglecting to create a balance between being busy and being still. Often we carry so much underlying ‘stress’ that we overreact to relatively small and insignificant situations – like being cut off in traffic. This causes more emotional stress which in turn, can result in physical discomfort or dis-ease.
Why? When we perceive the events in our lives - big or small - as stressful or dangerous, our bodies react the same way as if we were truly in a life or death situation! Our bodies do not know the difference and will change the way they function in order to SURVIVE.
The Emotional Stress Release (ESR) technique can help to reduce situational stress and therefore increase wellness in most people.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
How often do you feel stressed or under pressure?
Do you often overreact to situations and feel angry or frustrated?
Are you able to think clearly when you are stressed?
Do you become less co-ordinated during times of stress?
Does this affect your work, study or relationships?
Do you suffer from digestive issues, sexual dysfunction or are always catching colds and viruses?
If you can relate to all, or most of these questions, the ESR technique can help you; simply by giving you time to think clearly and calmly when you are faced with a stressful situation.
Be Empowered!
Choose to make your glass half full.The quick and easy ESR technique will allow you to reclaim your ability to choose how you want to respond when you begin to feel stressed, rather than letting your body decide for you. The more frequently you use this technique, the less often your body will automatically prepare for survival. Therefore enabling you to regain conscious control and improve your quality of life.
Ten Simple Steps to Increase Wellbeing
1. You can hold your own ESR points, or hold them for someone else;
2. Always ask a person before holding ESR points, sometimes it is best to let the person hold their own;
3. Use two adjacent fingers or a thumb to hold points, see diagram for the correct position;
4. Use the same pressure as you would apply to your eyelids;
5. Breathe calmly and deeply whilst holding the points;
6. You may feel a pulsing sensation – ideally the pulsing of both points should be “in sync”;
7. You may feel other sensations such as heat or tingling;
8. If you do not feel anything it is suggested you stop after approximately 2 minutes;
9. If you are holding points for someone else, it is nice to support their back gently with your spare hand, and ask them how they are feeling!
10. Practice on yourself first – you can do this by sitting quietly and perhaps thinking of something that is currently causing you stress before holding the points.
Yet, most of us are guilty of neglecting to create a balance between being busy and being still. Often we carry so much underlying ‘stress’ that we overreact to relatively small and insignificant situations – like being cut off in traffic. This causes more emotional stress which in turn, can result in physical discomfort or dis-ease.
Why? When we perceive the events in our lives - big or small - as stressful or dangerous, our bodies react the same way as if we were truly in a life or death situation! Our bodies do not know the difference and will change the way they function in order to SURVIVE.
The Emotional Stress Release (ESR) technique can help to reduce situational stress and therefore increase wellness in most people.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
How often do you feel stressed or under pressure?
Do you often overreact to situations and feel angry or frustrated?
Are you able to think clearly when you are stressed?
Do you become less co-ordinated during times of stress?
Does this affect your work, study or relationships?
Do you suffer from digestive issues, sexual dysfunction or are always catching colds and viruses?
If you can relate to all, or most of these questions, the ESR technique can help you; simply by giving you time to think clearly and calmly when you are faced with a stressful situation.
Be Empowered!
Choose to make your glass half full.The quick and easy ESR technique will allow you to reclaim your ability to choose how you want to respond when you begin to feel stressed, rather than letting your body decide for you. The more frequently you use this technique, the less often your body will automatically prepare for survival. Therefore enabling you to regain conscious control and improve your quality of life.
Ten Simple Steps to Increase Wellbeing
1. You can hold your own ESR points, or hold them for someone else;
2. Always ask a person before holding ESR points, sometimes it is best to let the person hold their own;
3. Use two adjacent fingers or a thumb to hold points, see diagram for the correct position;
4. Use the same pressure as you would apply to your eyelids;
5. Breathe calmly and deeply whilst holding the points;
6. You may feel a pulsing sensation – ideally the pulsing of both points should be “in sync”;
7. You may feel other sensations such as heat or tingling;
8. If you do not feel anything it is suggested you stop after approximately 2 minutes;
9. If you are holding points for someone else, it is nice to support their back gently with your spare hand, and ask them how they are feeling!
10. Practice on yourself first – you can do this by sitting quietly and perhaps thinking of something that is currently causing you stress before holding the points.
More Information
Let’s take a look at what can happen to us when we enter into a state of ‘stress’ over longer periods of time:
Muscle tension: this can cause headaches, migraines, back and neck pain, poor posture, and various other musculoskeletal issues;
Respiratory stress: increased breathing rate; breathing tends also to be shallower and is usually through the mouth, meaning that air is not filtered through the nose and can trigger panic attacks in some people;
Cardiovascular: in acute situations heart rate increases, over time this additional stress on the heart can result in heart attacks or high blood pressure;
Digestion: when the body is reacting to stress digestion comes to a halt meaning that food is not digested properly and the body may not be receiving the nutrients it requires; over time this can result in conditions such as IBS, stomach ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, heart burn or acid reflux, nausea etc…
Reproductive System: impotence, lack of sex drive, lowered sperm count, menstrual cycle issues;
Emotional: panic attacks, depression, anxiety;
Immune System: your ability to fight and recover from illness can be radically decreased so you are likely to either get colds and viruses easily and frequently or, alternatively, you may contract a more serious illness such as cancer. You may also suffer from skin disorders such as cold sores, psoriasis or eczema. There can also be increased risk of diabetes.
The Survival Response
When we are feeling stressed our body responds as if we are in actual danger – this is a built in mechanism to ensure our survival. So what actually happens? Our body prepares to either: stand our ground and fight the danger, or to run for safety. This is commonly referred to as “fight or flight”.
Our nervous system and our blood supply are redirected to certain areas such as; our heart, lungs, large muscles and to the area of our brain that deals with emotions such as fear and anger. At the same time directed away from other areas, such as our digestive system, reproductive system and the area of our brain used for rational thought and information processing. Our brain instructs our body to produce hormones called cortisol and epinephrine, and there is also an increase in blood sugar from the liver to prepare for fight or flight.
Unfortunately information often does not even reach the area of our brain we use for rational and conscious thought, so our ability to choose how to react is automatically overridden!
Emotional Stress Release (ESR) Points in Action
These points can be used at any time when you are feeling emotional (angry, upset, or scared), overwhelmed, stressed, or irrational. Holding ESR points refocuses the nervous system and the blood supply, through the influence of our touch, to the front of the brain where rational thought and information processing can take place. Therefore ending the need for a survival response (fight or flight), and allowing you time to consciously take control of what is happening to you.
Let’s take a look at what can happen to us when we enter into a state of ‘stress’ over longer periods of time:
Muscle tension: this can cause headaches, migraines, back and neck pain, poor posture, and various other musculoskeletal issues;
Respiratory stress: increased breathing rate; breathing tends also to be shallower and is usually through the mouth, meaning that air is not filtered through the nose and can trigger panic attacks in some people;
Cardiovascular: in acute situations heart rate increases, over time this additional stress on the heart can result in heart attacks or high blood pressure;
Digestion: when the body is reacting to stress digestion comes to a halt meaning that food is not digested properly and the body may not be receiving the nutrients it requires; over time this can result in conditions such as IBS, stomach ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, heart burn or acid reflux, nausea etc…
Reproductive System: impotence, lack of sex drive, lowered sperm count, menstrual cycle issues;
Emotional: panic attacks, depression, anxiety;
Immune System: your ability to fight and recover from illness can be radically decreased so you are likely to either get colds and viruses easily and frequently or, alternatively, you may contract a more serious illness such as cancer. You may also suffer from skin disorders such as cold sores, psoriasis or eczema. There can also be increased risk of diabetes.
The Survival Response
When we are feeling stressed our body responds as if we are in actual danger – this is a built in mechanism to ensure our survival. So what actually happens? Our body prepares to either: stand our ground and fight the danger, or to run for safety. This is commonly referred to as “fight or flight”.
Our nervous system and our blood supply are redirected to certain areas such as; our heart, lungs, large muscles and to the area of our brain that deals with emotions such as fear and anger. At the same time directed away from other areas, such as our digestive system, reproductive system and the area of our brain used for rational thought and information processing. Our brain instructs our body to produce hormones called cortisol and epinephrine, and there is also an increase in blood sugar from the liver to prepare for fight or flight.
Unfortunately information often does not even reach the area of our brain we use for rational and conscious thought, so our ability to choose how to react is automatically overridden!
Emotional Stress Release (ESR) Points in Action
These points can be used at any time when you are feeling emotional (angry, upset, or scared), overwhelmed, stressed, or irrational. Holding ESR points refocuses the nervous system and the blood supply, through the influence of our touch, to the front of the brain where rational thought and information processing can take place. Therefore ending the need for a survival response (fight or flight), and allowing you time to consciously take control of what is happening to you.
PRESSED FOR RESPECT, NOT DILIGENCE
LOLLIPOP PEOPLE SOLDIER ON
Rushing out the car while stopped at the lights – J-walking – Dogging speeding motorists! Sound like a thrill seeker on a Saturday night?
Try school children at 8.30: am weekdays on Victorian school crossings.
No wonder lollipop people are getting sour.
“A recent survey of 1000 school crossing supervisors showed that the biggest issue they have when performing their duties is speeding motorists and illegal parking which both endanger lives,” said Dreena Lawrence, Chairperson of School Crossings Victoria Inc.
What’s outrageous is that we parents are encouraging this behaviour. Lollipop people’s authority is being ignored as we frantically squeeze our 21st century lifestyle into an old fashioned 24 hour day. Consequently, school drop off and pick up times are becoming more and more dangerous.
Every parent knows that modern living is fast paced. Still, we can’t let time poverty put our children at risk, can we?
Lollipop people are trained council workers that know what they’re doing. One way to support them is to recognise their authority and allow them to do their job.
Another way is by voting for our own in the, School Crossing Supervisor of the Year Award.
It’s not that lollipop people are sour, they are ultimately sweet, particularly about keeping school children safe.
For our own children's sake and for the sake of every Victorian school aged child, isn’t it time we sweeten up too?
Try school children at 8.30: am weekdays on Victorian school crossings.
No wonder lollipop people are getting sour.
“A recent survey of 1000 school crossing supervisors showed that the biggest issue they have when performing their duties is speeding motorists and illegal parking which both endanger lives,” said Dreena Lawrence, Chairperson of School Crossings Victoria Inc.
What’s outrageous is that we parents are encouraging this behaviour. Lollipop people’s authority is being ignored as we frantically squeeze our 21st century lifestyle into an old fashioned 24 hour day. Consequently, school drop off and pick up times are becoming more and more dangerous.
Every parent knows that modern living is fast paced. Still, we can’t let time poverty put our children at risk, can we?
Lollipop people are trained council workers that know what they’re doing. One way to support them is to recognise their authority and allow them to do their job.
Another way is by voting for our own in the, School Crossing Supervisor of the Year Award.
It’s not that lollipop people are sour, they are ultimately sweet, particularly about keeping school children safe.
For our own children's sake and for the sake of every Victorian school aged child, isn’t it time we sweeten up too?
FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the first edition of Essentially Me.
I have spent the last four months speaking with, and interviewing people that I am in awe of.
How lucky am I to have met such extraordinary people who have enriched my life and my magazine.
EM reflects the qualities I see in struggling learners - collectively, they are my muse.
These children are often talented & sometimes delightfully quirky. They have a purity that is rare, and an intelligence that is valuable though subtle. Struggling learners have gifts that are often overlooked, that can benefit the world if we nurture them.
I admire people who:
Enjoy EM and if you do, express it, by wearing purple tomorrow, to support our purple heroes.
I'm so happy you came.
Sincerely
Louise Crossley
I have spent the last four months speaking with, and interviewing people that I am in awe of.
How lucky am I to have met such extraordinary people who have enriched my life and my magazine.
EM reflects the qualities I see in struggling learners - collectively, they are my muse.
These children are often talented & sometimes delightfully quirky. They have a purity that is rare, and an intelligence that is valuable though subtle. Struggling learners have gifts that are often overlooked, that can benefit the world if we nurture them.
I admire people who:
- Aim for the stars even if they only hit the roof of a house.
- Fall flat on their face and get back up to see if anyone else is hurt.
- Use their misfortune to help others.
- Know their best is not only good enough, it's inspiring.
- Are doing the best that they can
Enjoy EM and if you do, express it, by wearing purple tomorrow, to support our purple heroes.
I'm so happy you came.
Sincerely
Louise Crossley