Running Head: CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Wolanzyk 1

Clinical Experience: Potential Development

Ashley Wolanzyk

Youngstown State University

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Clinical Experience: Potential Development

The role of the educator in the care of the child with developmental delays or autism is to

develop an individualized education plan best suited to the very specific needs of each pupil and

to integrate such specialized and individualized education plans within a classroom of multiple

students. The educator must be adaptable and flexible with lesson plans and within the classroom

due to the behaviors children with these disorders/delays exhibit.

The physical and psychological health needs of the child with developmental delays and

autism are different from those of normally developing children. Physical needs focus mainly on

sensory issues. Children with autism benefit from calm environments. Loud noises, new people,

or overstimulation can cause behaviors and outbursts in these children. The potential

development center had a sensory room with dimmed lights, aquarium features, light tables, and

fiber optic lights to handle. Psychological needs of the preschool children in the potential

development center focus on developing motor skills and intellectual skills to prepare for

kindergarten.

In comparing these children’s chronological ages to their individual growth and

developmental levels, it is obvious that there are some delays. Some children observed were

nonverbal, being held back another year before going to kindergarten, and physically behind in

gross and fine motor skills.

I interacted in a therapeutic activity led by occupational therapy to aid the classes in their

developmental plan. For the upcoming Earth Day this Sunday, we had the children paint paper

plates green and blue and then cut and fold paper to make arms and legs. The painting was to

help with grip strength and proper gripping of a writing/painting utensil. The cutting of the paper

on the lines into four strips was to see the hand movements and motions of opening and closing
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the blades and to see if they could cut on the lines. And lastly, the folding accordion style of the

strips in order to make arms and legs for their Earth plates was to see their pinching abilities and

fine motor skills.