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Parents Are Deeply: Still other parents are unable to face the fact that they have a handicapped child. They insist that nothing is wrong with him. They seize upon even' slight indication of progress as evidence that the child is normal.
These attitudes are so deeply rooted in the personality of the parents that one can do little for the child without, at the same time, working with the parents. In the presence of an experienced and sympathetic listener, parents feel free to reveal and discuss their real feelings. Gradually they gain a new orientation toward family relations and appreciate the place of the exceptional child in the family structure. Kirk, Karnes, and Kirk (64, 1955) have written a sound, practical guide for the parents of a retarded child.
Beautification of the school! - parents are deeply interested in the surroundings in which their children have to work and learn. They help to mend toys, to rearrange furniture, to see that the playground is free from litter - but their piece de resistance is the splendid playground mural opened by the mayor of our borough. The idea was conceived by a small group in the PTFG who, after discussion with the staff and committee, set the ball rolling and enlisted the aid of folk and organizations in the community, together with our own children, parents and staff -and produced a new, colourful, bright environment for us where before everything was dull and grey.
We have heard such comments quite often. Yet at the same time parents are saying:
'They don't want to hear our views, they don't respect our opinions about our own children.' 'I'd like to talk more, but the teachers are so busy.' 'Of course, education's changed so much since my day, I'm afraid of sounding old fashioned.' 'I don't want to seem pushy.'Uncertainty and exasperation abound in all these comments; whether or not they have much foundation in reality, they can be deeply felt.
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