Our experience at Tj Maxx

I really don't know where to start. Tj Maxx  was perfect the children where able to size shoes do some processing and also receive shipment. I was super impressed with how the children handled their jobs. They stayed on tasked as well as stayed focus on their individual jobs. We will continue to work at the Tj Maxx it fits the children so well and I'm so proud of them. I must say I found that them working away from all the customers help them to stay focus. This is a learning experience for me as well as them and I learned that making the task small and simple makes it easier for them to stay focused and learn as well as grow. 

School wide earth day project

A Days Work In The Community

Today a few of the children at the school I work at went to work at the local grocery store. They enjoyed baging gorceries, stocking the shelves and doing go backs. I must say that this task was a little difficult. It was hard to keep them focus with so many customers in the store not to mention all the food. While some of them did better then others I soon realize that for my teenage students the grocery store wasn't going to be a good work place for them. This made me a little disappointed do to the fact that within the school we used vocational tools to prepare them for working at the grocery store but never discouraged. I soon realize that everyone's great at something and sometimes failures are put in front of you to make improvements. I began to go back to my personal drawing board and find other jobs that would work best for my children to my surprise I receive a call that would brighten up my day. We will soon be trying our local Tj Maxx I'm more excited then ever and can't wait to tell you all about our up coming experience.     P.S.   I was annoyed by a customer who seem to be uncomfortable with one of my students baging their gorceries. I do understand that everyone has their rights and opinions but because they have a disability does not mean they have a disease. I so wanted to scream please educate this people because even though these children as well as adults are disable their human so let's not forget that and if your fortunate not to have a cousin, mother, father, brother, sister etc then consider yourself bless but don't consider them less then a human. 

Sensory Garden photos

Sensory Garden photos

Sensory Garden for Developmentally Disabled Students

Sensory gardens can be very beneficial for students with sensory needs. Just recently at the school I work at the children built a sensory garden for all the students use. The older children used it as a work based experience, while the other students are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They planted several types of sensory plants; different textures, smells, and colors. A pond was also installed with a waterfall that has a calming sound of running water. This also serves as a visual stimulant in order for the children to find the several fish within the pond. This year the vocational class will be expanding the garden as part of their work study program. Does anyone have any other ideas that they would like share for the garden to help the students? I wanted to show you the before and after pictures of the garden, but I was not able to load them. Anyone know how?

The Beginning....

This blog is going to be all about working with students with disabilities, as well as the opportunities that the Developmentally Disabled have when it comes to the workplace as well as Residential placements. Some experiences are good while some are not. This blog will explore both sides.