It should come as no surprise that I hate homework. Never did when it was mine and still don't today (when it belongs to all my kids). I love projects and writing and crafts, you know, all the fun stuff!
Today Sam was working on his "homework" for his in home therapist. A paper on his career choice.
I asked what he wanted to do? He said construction. We talked about how to write the paper, what parts to explain and then he said, "How do you spell constructions?.....how do you spell follow? ......how do you spell report card?......how do you spell every other word in my paper? I very much understand the "why" of the paper. I do. But Sam is simply not capable of doing it. I can help him. I can explain that construction can be on houses, apartments, office buildings, malls, theaters....on and on...and he can copy it all down without being able to form those conclusions himself. After about the 10th question Seth, who was doing his homework beside us, began explaining to Sam what things you needed to be a good worker (and Sam wrote it all down).
Did Sam benefit from the exercise? nah. Except perhaps next time he will spell follow not foller. I appreciate those who work with Sam, I do. But, sadly Sam is so very far below "grade average" and what might work for most do not work for Sam. Which is why we have problems to begin with:(
What a waste of time and energy! My son has had "assignments" like this from his home-based worker and/or behavior aides and they seem so futile. He can reiterate whatever you tell him, but does he really understand and apply what he says? nope. I think he tends to fall thru the cracks because he can "pass" as higher functioning when he's truly not.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot convince others of his abilities or lack of abilities though - they have to learn on their own unfortunately. This writing project should have been done WITH the in-home worker (haha).