Successful Ministry to the Retarded[ETowns] - Elmer Towns

The teacher divests his pupil of yet another security when he fails to build him up both inpublic and in private. The retarded pupil already has constant reminders of his inadequacy, exceptin the confines of the special classroom. He may be the same age and size as his normal friendsbut unable to join in sports and games at their level due to his poor coordination and thinkingpower. And even his family may demand that he act like a normal child. 15 Thus he sorely needsthe confidence that his teacher will not degrade him.8. Can I help my fellow church members understand retardation and the need to extendsocial acceptance to the mentally retarded? A teacher's own character, his standing in the churchand professional community, and his enthusiastic spirit toward his work will largely determinehow well a church accepts and adjusts to the class for the trainable retarded.It is probably a well-known fact that deviation in human appearance or behavior tends tofoster fear and misunderstanding. Retardation is an all-too-obvious human deviation which candestroy a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Young couples begin wondering if retardation willstrike their unborn child. Everyone hesitates in conversation with these youngsters; in fact, peopleavoid talking to them. They look different--a trait which in itself is offensive and threatening tosome. The special education teacher therefore acts as a liaison between his class members andthat segment of the church which needs to grow in understanding and acceptance of retardedmembers.No Sunday school teacher will be able to succeed without emotional involvement with hisretarded student. Love is of prime importance--love for this student who is different. The teacherwill only be able to achieve something with the student when his therapy is love, which must begiven to the child each session. Many retarded students will respond only for persons they love.Through the love of the teacher the child can feel the love of God. 16TEACHER AIDESWho is the teacher aide? As the term suggests, this person comes as a helper. Aides can beparents of the retarded or people out of the congregation who want to do something in and forthe special class. However, aides are not usually qualified teachers, simply because there arerarely more than one or two special education professionals, even in a very large church.Nonetheless, the untrained person often has many fine qualities which can be used effectively withhandicapped children.The best teacher aide has a submissive spirit on two counts. First, he looks to the teacher todecide what will be Ms class responsibilities. Second, he abandons his own methods of operationand efficiency when he is helping a pupil to learn how to do something.Teacher aides are a necessary addition to a classroom for trainables because each child needs agreat deal of personal attention, and there is a continual flow of housekeeping chores which needcaring for now so that class activity can proceed amid order. Thus the person who comes "tohelp the retarded" may feel disappointed in having to play the mother baby-sitter role. Theteacher aide in the special class will fail unless he initially bases his Christian service on the intentof being "all things to all men," for an aide is needed to perform simple service tasks for thechildren and to restore order after painting sessions or refreshment time. 17Volunteers in the class for trainables must discard their own notions about teaching and altertheir expectations of pupil performance. It is one thing to be efficient in keeping the classroomtidy, but it is quite another to be rigid and demand perfection in the children. Since they are not