Learning Takeaways
In what ways did your communication strategies expand based on your CSL experience?
What’s the difference between physical presence and inclusion? Provide an example of this in practice.
Physical presence = physically being in a space
Inclusion = Presence is integrated, authentically accepted, and value is recognized
Including =/= Being Inclusive
Throughout your CSL experience, did you ever find yourself asking the questions below: “What counts as participation” or “what does a successful session look like”?
Creating goals together
Meaningful connections
Participant leading
How did you apply the ETA model when creating the activities or lesson plans for your participant?
1. Identification of task goals
2. Provide choice (support his autonomy)
3. Manipulate variables (add challenges)
4. Instructional strategies (what works best for him)
How would you propose a new activity to your participant to still maintain their autonomy?
Activities as options, not directives
Flexible and adaptable
Embed small skill progressions
What does upholding someone’s dignity look like in practice?
- Know your participant's meaning of "help"
- Ensure they are actively participating and their voice is heard
- Recognizing in which areas you may be ignorant
Provide an example of a time where you were unintentionally ableist, and provide an example of how that assumption was challenged.
1 - Unintentional ableism (ex. violating autonomy)
2 - Assumption challenged (learning + action)
Wrong Answers Only: In a scenario where your participant does not want to follow your lesson plan, what should you do?
d. a and b
Providing help, how do we know when to insert ourselves into a situation in a way that doesn’t threaten their autonomy or self-esteem (cues to look for)
- Look for cues before stepping in
- Does not assume help is needed
- Offers help rather than taking over
- Supports autonomy and independence
- Balances support with giving space
Describe a time where you might have unintentionally used a deficit based approach, and how you applied the strength based approach in that situation.
- identifies and focuses on participants strengths
- moves away from labeling based on deficits or assumptions
- recognizing participant as a whole person (personality, interest, preferences)
- builds activities around what the participant enjoys
How did your first interaction affect the rest of your CSL experience?
- Shift approach away from deficit based to strength-based early on to set a positive tone for the rest of the CSL experience.
How can risk be managed in situations involving risky play without reinforcing power imbalances between adults and children?
Balancing your participant's autonomy with clear boundaries around serious hazards