Stay Bright!

Hey there...anyone who is reading this :) I have not posted in FOREVER! This school year was a hit the ground running year with COVID and online learning and in person learning and getting my own kiddos accustomed to the "new norm"...ewww I don't like that. 

I just wanted to pop in and take a jump into what it has been like for my special needs kiddos in a world that focuses more on senses now and less on affection and touch. In some ways this has worked marvelously for my students who prefer space and do not want to be touched. They are able to keep to their bubbles and not worry about physical contact which gives them high anxiety. It has also worked to my advantage when it comes to these kiddos that are online. Getting them to pay attention to peoples emotions and facial expressions has become easier because it is all that they are seeing. I feel they have grown in this aspect and when they finally come face to face they will do it more. Where my heart aches is for my students who thrive on physical touch- hugs, a simple pat on the shoulder or a hand to hold when nerves rise. These babies are struggling so much. I have one student in particular who just cant help but give me a hug when she sees me...and i just cant fight it. 

So plain and simple friends...this is hard. It is hard for everyone, but those with special needs already live in a world that is unpredictable, kind of scary and always changing. Add a pandemic to this and they are lost. It is my job to protect and teach and mold them but with something this caliber it is so hard...but I do not give up. 

We persevere.

We fight hard. 

We love and grow.

We never ever let each other fall. 

My students are in a tough place, students around the world are in a tough place. One thing I have learned though...find the bright sides. Masks equal not oral fixations. No touch equals focusing on emotions and body language. Social distance means finding new ways to self regulate while also keeping some sort of social interactions and skills. If we focus on the bright rather than the dark we can move forward. I can be more effective and anxieties will stay low. 

So...focus on the bright side...because if we do then our students will as well and keeping positive attitudes is key to what we are facing today. 

Till next time...stay bright!