In Raising Up a Special Child

As a mother of a child with special needs, it’s really a great challenge and experience on how to raise him. Finding out that my child has mild autism is one of the most painful things that happened to me. At first I was distraught but when I've got enough courage, I stand firmly to be able to protect and guide my son where he can live the most productive and fulfilled life possible. 

Although there are times that I need to be soothed and encouraged because daily stress for taking care of my child especially when he’s throwing tantrums really makes me feel so awful. And from the very start, I experienced a variety of maternal struggles in raising my child but I have learned how to cope with it all. I have also my adrenalin to be strong enough for him. As I persevered in my responsibilities to raise my special boy, I later realized our blessings where hidden in a challenge… God really loves us.

I know God’s hand is always upon my brilliant big boy… the lovable one who brings us joy and laughter every minute, every hour, everyday... And we thank our Lord Jesus Christ for giving us enough strength, patience and love to raise our child and do our best to mold him with love and fear in God despite of his condition.

ACCELERATION: A Program Model for the Gifted Child

This is just a part of my report in Curriculum Development for Exceptional Children which I would like to share to you.


Acceleration can be applied in two ways:

1. Grade Acceleration
Sometimes this referred to as "grade-skipping," grade acceleration involves moving a student into a higher-grade classroom. The accelerated student then participates in all the same activities and studies all the same subjects as his or her classmates, even though there is an age difference.

2. Subject-Matter Acceleration
Students also can be accelerated in one or more subjects to provide intellectual challenge in areas where they are particularly advanced. This option is especially helpful for children who have precocious abilities (blossoming or ripening early or those have early manifested abilities) in specific areas.

Example: The student is excellent in Math but slightly above average in verbal skills.

Here are some ways on how to achieve acceleration:

• early entry to school
  Early entry into school occurs when a child is allowed to enter school at an earlier age than that mandated by education authorities or the age required by the Deped.
  
  Example: In nursery, the age qualification of the child must be 3 ½ years old. But the gifted child entered the school at the age of 2 because he could be able to cope with the instructions or tasks given by his/her teacher.Gifted and high potential children who are allowed early entrance display academic gains on average six months ahead in their achievement as compared to their age-peers.
  Although the gifted children are ready for early entry into school, but they still need administrative support to cope with the routines expected.
  
• grade skipping or "double promotion"
  ***What is grade skipping? Grade skipping is the practice of placing a child in a grade level past the one he or she should be moving into based on age.
  Example: A child in first grade may be moved into the third grade, thereby skipping second grade.
  
  Grade skipping can take place at any time during the school year, but it is most often done at the beginning. This means that a child who is currently in the first grade might be moved into the second grade during the school year, but it's more typical for a child to complete the first grade and then be moved into the third grade when school begins again.
  
• credit by examination
  A credit by examination is a process for determining or discovering the student’s intellectual and ability through examinations either oral or written.
  Some schools offer examinations whereby students can skip one or more courses or curriculum by performing well on a test that have been given.
  
  
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