Teacher With Cerebral Palsy Inspires All
Barb Braun Insists Her Classes Have a Child With Special Needs
Aug 9, 2009
In March of 2009, Suite101.com was fortunate enough to visit Barb Braun's preschool class in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Before class Suite101.com sat down with Mrs. Braun for an interview. Suite101.com also interviewed a parent and student of the class.
Determined to Teach With Cerebral Palsy
“I never think about what I can’t do. I only think about what I am going to do,” explains Barb Braun of Braun-Tasaurous Preschool in Abbotsford, B.C. Braun was born with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy that causes her to have a noticeable limp, but she hasn’t let that stop her from becoming a compassionate, caring teacher of all kids since 1982 after she earned her Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Diploma.
All Classes Must Have a Child With Special Needs
Braun teaches three and four-year-olds from a licensed preschool located in her home. Because of her journey with Cerebral Palsy she insists each class in her distinctive preschool includes a child with special needs. "It teaches other children a life-long lesson in compassion, as well as what really matters – everyone should feel loved," she explains.
The connection she has with these special kids is obvious.
“When I have children come through my door with special needs, I can relate to what they are feeling,” Braun shares. “Even children who are non-verbal; sometimes I can explain to the parents what the child may be feeling in a way they had not thought of before.”
"We All Have Special Needs"
“When you think about it, we all have special needs,” Braun continues. “For the children I work with who have Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, hearing impaired or blindness, I just adjust my program – improvise, modify – so every child can learn.”
At first glance, her colourful classroom looks typical. There are alphabet characters on the wall and carpet squares on the floor. There are also hints that special needs are being met. For example, there is a specialized photo schedule to help a child with autism and books in Braille for a child who is blind.
Success With Special Needs Children is Appreciated
Professionals at the Abbotsford Child Development Center have been so impressed with her work with special needs children that they have provided funding for an assistant to work with her to ensure all needs are met. Additionally, Speech Therapists, Physiotherapists, and other specialists are common guests in her classroom to offer further advice to Braun to reassure each child reaches his or her potential.
Claire and Dimitri Apostolopoulous, whose son, Nick, is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, is just one of the families who are very grateful to Braun for her program.“She is so accepting with students who are different,” explains Claire. “Barb has been so supportive of Nick's restrictive diet. For example, she just had 'apple pancake day' and she actually made gluten/dairy free pancakes for all of the kids so Nick wouldn't feel excluded or different.“
“She replaced the preschool's play-doh with homemade gluten-free play-doh because she knows Nick loves it, but can't play with the regular kind (because of autistic-related allergies). She makes her preschool a place where parents and students feel like they fit in.”
Braun’s advice for other teachers: keep an open mind when it comes to children with special needs. Their challenges in life can provide life lessons in compassion for the other children. She prides herself with impacting ‘typical’ children with the valuable lesson that everyone, special needs or not, is capable of doing great things.
“When peers accept the students with special needs, and cheer them on when they reach a milestone, I know I have taught them an important life lesson of acceptance of all people,” Braun reflects.
Four-year-old Nick agrees. “She likes to do fun games with me, and she makes me happy.”
