We All Have Superpowers:Helping Your Child

Understand & Interact withPeers with Differences

Presented by: Nicole Kertyzak,Maury Lead Special Education Teacher

• ADHD• Autism/Asperger’s• Learning disorders• Psychiatric conditions• Seizure disorders• Brain injury• Tourette’s syndrome • https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?

vid=36&t=1

Not All Disabilities are Visible

• Academic◦ Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, etc.

• Behavior◦ Time on task, independent work, hands to self,

volume/tone/language, etc.• Social skills◦ Initiating interactions, social communication, working/playing

cooperatively, etc.

All Students Have DifferentStrengths and Weaknesses

• Talk with your child about how no two people are thesame; everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

How to Support Your Child

• Remind him/her: Just because someone learnsdifferently does not mean that they are unable to learn.

How to Support Your Child

• Emphasize: All children want to be accepted andrespected, no matter how they present in the classroom.

How to Support Your Child

• Explain to her: Everyone gets what they need to learn.Some students may need additional time with an adult,have a special chart, or use another resource (e.g. tabletor calculator).

How to Support Your Child

Role play and model empathetic responses• Instead of labeling a classmate as “the bad kid,” help your child understand that

they sometimes people act out when they’re overwhelmed, struggling, or frustrated.A caring response from teachers and peers can make a big difference in theoutcome.

How to Support Your Child

Instead of … Try…

Thinking, “What a jerk.” Thinking, “Maybe my friend is sad or frustrated.How can I help?”

Saying, “Teacher, Sam isbothering me.”

Saying, “Teacher, we’re having some problems atour table. Can you help us work them out?”

Staring or laughing at aclassmate who’s having ameltdown

Give your friend space. Later, when they’vecalmed down, ask if they want to play or work onan assignment together.

Younger Kids• Sesame Street- often

includes children withdisabilities in episodes;some characters havedisabilities (e.g. Julia, apreschooler with autism)

Books/Videos to Support YourDiscussion with Your Child

Grades 1-3• Issac and his Amazing

Asperger SuperpowersDiscusses how every childhas superpowers, they justlook different for everyone(e.g., you might be great atmath, but need helpplaying with your friendsappropriately, whereasyour classmate may begreat with making friendsbut need help with math)

Books/Videos to Support YourDiscussion with Your Child

Grades 4-5• Wonder- good chapter book

about a student with physicaldisabilities and his experiencesat school. Shows sameexperience from differentperspectives.

Books/Videos to Support YourDiscussion with Your Child

• Special Education Administrator (Suzanne Hess)• Special Education Teachers◦ Nicole Kertyzak (K-1)◦ Janelle Freeman (2-3)◦ Ambyr Hinton (4-5)

• Special Education Paraprofessionals◦ Da’Mon Smith◦ Anna Spratt◦ Kim Purce

• Related Service Providers◦ Speech Language Therapist (Kerry Corso)◦ Occupational Therapist (Rebecca Rath)◦ Physical Therapist (Mickie Monsheimer)

Special Education Team