Running head: VIDEO CASE RESPONSE 1
Video Case Response 1
Dallas Ventre
Liberty University
1
Question 1
Communication is one of the most necessary aspects of life, and is usually defined as the
process by which people exchange information, whether it be with words, symbols, signs, or
behavior (Kirk, Gallagher, & Coleman, 2015). Without the ability to communicate with others to
express our thoughts and feelings, our lives would be extremely complicated and frustrating. I
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often find myself frustrated if someone does not understand me, or if I cannot understand
someone. However, the frustration I feel does not compare with how a child must feel when they
have trouble with communicating their basic wants and needs.
I imagine that if I had been a child who had difficulty communicating, I would have been
antisocial and withdrawn from my surroundings. The difficulty of trying to communicate would
have made me so frustrated that I would have rather been left alone than to face the difficult task
of interacting with others. My mother is an Instructional Assistant in a special education
classroom, so I have observed many students who have communication difficulties and have
seen their struggles and frustration.
Question 2
When Tyler entered Kindergarten as Ms. Meade’s student, he was primarily nonverbal.
He rarely spoke and never interacted with other students. The first method of communication
Ms. Meade tried with Tyler was a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). This is a
commonly used method of communication with autistic children. PECS uses pictures to help
nonverbal children communicate with others (Kirk, Gallagher, & Coleman, 2015). By using
PECS, Tyler learned many new words, and is now able to verbally communicate basic wants and
needs. Ms. Meade also changed her instructional method in order to isolate specific pieces of
information and give concise direction to keep him from getting lost. Breaking down the
information into smaller pieces allows Tyler to more easily process the information and prevents
him from becoming overwhelmed and frustrated.
Sign language is also a commonly used tool in the classroom to aide children who have
difficulty communicating. Sign language is a very useful tool for everyone to learn, and makes it
easier to communicate with people who have disabilities. The Speech and Language Pathologist
in the video also suggests other approaches to communicating with students who have
References
Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., & Coleman, M. R. (2015). Educating exceptional children. Stanford, CT:
Cengage Learning.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
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disabilities. Some of the methods include using less words and speaking slowly to help the
children process the information.
Biblical Approach
All human life should be valued, and there is no exception for people with disabilities.
Our culture is so focused on perfection that we begin to devalue any human life that does not fit
the mold. I think it is important for teachers to remember that all students are different and might
need special forms of accommodation to help them succeed in school. Many of the people who
came to Jesus were blind, deaf, cripples, or overcome with disease, but this did not stop Him
from trying to help them. He did everything in His power to help each person, and never
neglected a follower because of their mental or physical condition. Teachers should try to have
that same mindset, and should try to provide all students with as much accommodation as they
need in order to ensure their success.
“Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or
deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”” (Exodus 4:11, ESV). This verse explains that,
despite our differences or disabilities, we are all God’s children and deserve to be treated with the
same kindness and respect.
