Joe has many strengths as a person. He is charming and friendly with a quick smile that accompanies his twinkling eyes. He dresses sharp and always looks great. He enjoys reading, movies, cats, and news events.
Joe can fit in at most events and few people know that he is struggling with short term memory loss and frontal lobe disengagement.
Joe blends in well because he has lots of supports in place. Most people would not need all of his supports but a Universal Design can help everyone reach higher standards.
Lets take a look at the 3 learning networks of the brain that help us accomplish learning and how they can be supported to enhance learning and living opportunities.
Recognition Networks
Recognition networks allow us to identify and understand information in parts and in complex patterns.
Strategic Networks
Strategic networks allow us to plan, execute, and monitor actions and skills.
Affective Networks
Affective networks allow us to feel connected in an emotionally important way to engage with our world.
These networks are in use all the time but some are keyed in more for certain tasks and at certain times. Every person uses these networks to learn and engage but each person processes information in a unique way.
A short term memory issue can be supported with tools that enhance the stronger network skills and reduce the weaknesses.
Joe has strengths in the recognition and affective networks. He has a rich history of travel, reading, and educational enrichments. He can recognize and attribute meaning to items that he connects to his past. He enjoys museums and book stores. His recognition and affective networks can be supported with historical frames of reference to aid new learning and to quantify with emotional significance.
Joe has a strength of dialogue regarding his strategic networks but weakness in action. He can not independently begin or follow through on an action. He can not dress or care for himself independently. His clothes are laid out with picture cards to help him plan and execute dressing.
The UDL connection here is to engage learners with their strengths and support the weaker networks. In Joe's case visual clues help him: daily planner with a verbal prompt. He learns best with social engagement and visual reminders. He can not use his tools independently with out an aide but the same supports could help an independent learner.
Network information was found in Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age by David H. Rose and Anne Meyer
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
A very special friendship
I have an amazing friend, who started out as a job. I needed extra money and an acquaintance asked if I would help her care for her husband. He had recently been diagnosed with alzheimer's disease.
She just needed a person to play some board games and offer some respite here and there. Immediately, they became so much more to me and my family. I am trying to write carefully not to disclose their identities but at the same time reveal my experience with short term memory problems.
Let's begin by the fact that "Joe" is much smarter than me, much better educated, much more experienced in life, and knows in depth accounts of U.S. and World History. I revel in the joys of day to day life. I'm not an intellect and tend to rely more on humor and fun than historical accuracies. But here we are thrown together by need and adoring each other's company.
Our first day together, I brought a backgammon board. Did I mention that I have issues? I never remember how to set up a game! Joe and I played two games of Backgammon which we were unable to stop because I set it up backwards and we were both very confused! I was thinking that I might be a hindrance to a smart man with a brain disease. However, we both laughed and moved on to Scrabble with much more success.
I remember trivial things, human interest facts, and social/family/animal issues. Joe remembers dates, world events, tree and plant classification. We could be an unstoppable pair. He has Alzheimer's and to my knowledge I am just fine.
I remember things that I attend to, care about, and deem important. Joe could always remember everything until recently but he still remembers interesting things. He remembers new information that has an emotional attachment. Recently, he did not mention our backgammon game to a mutual friend because he was afraid I would be embarrassed by my ineptness. He remembers my ineptness! He remembers the day I used the spatula in my food processor, while it was going (bad choice). He can remember every foolish thing I do because it ties to an emotional connection. I am not sure if he feels bad for me or if I entertain him but it works.
Time has no meaning. His actions are slow and deliberate. A quick walk, quick meal, or quick shower, no longer exist. Time is confusing. He has trouble drawing a clock. He doesn't have the ability to plan around time or understand the passing of time. His strategic functioning is rapidly deteriorating.
Joe has lived a great life with many experiences around the world. He recognizes his connections throughout his life with great engagement. He has travelled extensively and has read many books. This is a great strength for him as he loses his strategic skills and is able to use his affective and recognition skills.
She just needed a person to play some board games and offer some respite here and there. Immediately, they became so much more to me and my family. I am trying to write carefully not to disclose their identities but at the same time reveal my experience with short term memory problems.
Let's begin by the fact that "Joe" is much smarter than me, much better educated, much more experienced in life, and knows in depth accounts of U.S. and World History. I revel in the joys of day to day life. I'm not an intellect and tend to rely more on humor and fun than historical accuracies. But here we are thrown together by need and adoring each other's company.
Our first day together, I brought a backgammon board. Did I mention that I have issues? I never remember how to set up a game! Joe and I played two games of Backgammon which we were unable to stop because I set it up backwards and we were both very confused! I was thinking that I might be a hindrance to a smart man with a brain disease. However, we both laughed and moved on to Scrabble with much more success.
I remember trivial things, human interest facts, and social/family/animal issues. Joe remembers dates, world events, tree and plant classification. We could be an unstoppable pair. He has Alzheimer's and to my knowledge I am just fine.
I remember things that I attend to, care about, and deem important. Joe could always remember everything until recently but he still remembers interesting things. He remembers new information that has an emotional attachment. Recently, he did not mention our backgammon game to a mutual friend because he was afraid I would be embarrassed by my ineptness. He remembers my ineptness! He remembers the day I used the spatula in my food processor, while it was going (bad choice). He can remember every foolish thing I do because it ties to an emotional connection. I am not sure if he feels bad for me or if I entertain him but it works.
Time has no meaning. His actions are slow and deliberate. A quick walk, quick meal, or quick shower, no longer exist. Time is confusing. He has trouble drawing a clock. He doesn't have the ability to plan around time or understand the passing of time. His strategic functioning is rapidly deteriorating.
Joe has lived a great life with many experiences around the world. He recognizes his connections throughout his life with great engagement. He has travelled extensively and has read many books. This is a great strength for him as he loses his strategic skills and is able to use his affective and recognition skills.
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