MODULE 3 PRESENTATION

Supporting students with complex needs

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Why this module?

» Some students require extra support at school for their physical and personal care and communication

» Teachers’ aides are a valuable resource in providing this» Supporting students with complex needs requires:

– empathy and respect for students’ preferences and dignity

– access to appropriate training and support for meeting students’ needs.

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Being a role model

» Some students needs extra support

» How you interact and include students with complex needs influences other people/students and how they treat their peers.

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Respecting privacy and dignity

» Some students need help with eating, lifting, positioning, toileting, medicines and moving around

» Physical and personal care needs to:– be unobtrusive– respect privacy and dignity– empower the student.

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Respecting privacy and dignity

» Talk to the student about how to care for them

» Talk to family/whānau about how to care for their child

» Ask yourself how you would like to be treated if it were you.

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Seek the student’s views

» Have I allowed the student to tell me what they want?» Have I asked the student what they prefer with physical

transitions?» Do I speak to the student in the same way as other

students?» Do I know what class or subject the student doesn’t want

to miss so I can work around this?

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Developing a care plan

» For students requiring a high level of physical care» A specialist may help develop the care plan» A specialist may show you how to aid the student» The care plan is available to those who work with the

student, while respecting the student’s privacy» See: Health Conditions in Education Settings

(Ministry of Education publication).

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Supporting a student with high communication needs

» A specialist may show you how to work with assistive technology

» Teachers’ aides can show others how to work with assistive technology

» Teachers and teachers’ aides model respectful ways of communicating.

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Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork

» Effective teamwork is important when supporting students with complex needs

» When everyone participates, the student benefits» Team members have different skills and knowledge.

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Keeping yourself safe

» Ensure you have access to appropriate training» Be aware of school policies and procedures» See: Collaboration for Success: Individual Education

Plans (Ministry of Education publication).

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Next step?

Download the workbook for this module at: teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz/Our-roles/Module-3

To find out more about Teachers and Teachers’ Aides Working Together and to access the other modules go to: teachersandteachersaides.tki.org.nz

MODULE 3: Supporting students with complex needs