3/23/2019
Topic:
Students with Disabilities
John Rosbottom
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I currently have a band student with Tourette’s Syndrome. Aside from vocal tics he is a high functioning tenor sax player. The biggest challenge is the disruption to the class during the brief tic episodes. In anticipation of this challenge, the student, parent, and guidance counselor agreed it was best for the student to explain the situation to the class with the assistance of the counselor. This student moved into our school this year after several unpleasant experiences at other schools. Once the student, and teacher, understood what to expect, the outbursts have been handled very well. Usually, we go on with what we are doing and it subsides quickly. We are fortunate that the student never has outbursts while we are playing. They usually occur if I am working with another section. We have found that if he fingers through his music while I am working elsewhere it keeps the tics to a minimum. |