The response questions from this week include: How can you prepare to address transition for students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing? What do you think is important to students to learn as they prepare to graduate?
When discussing transition with a student I would start when they are in 7th or 8th grade and I would begin by asking questions like where do you see yourself after high school? What kind of career would you like to have? Depending on the choices available and/or the requirements, what classes would they like to take in high school that would prepare them for college or a future career? Depending on these answers that the students provide would determine on other ways to help them prepare to transition such as researching the skills necessary to be successful at a desired career and then developing those skills are a completely different step as well. But by talking with the students as well as their family helps to prepare for transitioning.
As students prepare for graduation, I think that students learn how to live independently and be self-sufficient adults. I think that this is very applicable to students that pursue a job out of high school or go to college. Students need to learn the advocacy skills as well as learning how to find answers to questions or how problem solve when stuck in a unknown situation. As a deaf educator, we can help with teaching students skills of writing checks, doing laundry, applying to schools, etc. But in my opinion, I think that it is important to also teach the students how to find the answer to these questions. If we weren't around, how would they go about solving their problem??
First of all, kudos to you for being the first to post! Didn't think that would happen. :)
ReplyDeleteTeaching students how to find the answer to questions is an important skill for students to acquire. I feel that this skill is addressed for everyone. I feel that self-advocacy is more important because not everyone have to deal with self-advocacy. Students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing need to be able to get what they need based on their deafness.
Sonia, I think that is great that you pointed out how we should not only just "provide the fish" for the student, but rather "teach them how to fish." That makes me sound so old and wise, doesn't it?! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right about teaching our student's HOW to solve their problems...whether it be knowing who to ask or talk to about requests, when to act to solve a problem, and how to properly request services, etc.