Recently came across a need to help a special need kid. Yes, we want to teach Tamil to this kid. But, how should we do this? Do we have any experience? Do we know what the need is? Do we have a trained specialist?
Went on to explore this. First I must understand what "special need" means. What approach we should take to address this need. After watching few videos on youtube, and reading some materials, came across Dr. Partington's approach to teach Language to kids with autism.
Further check directed me to a book called "Verbal Behavior Approach - How to teach children with autism and related disorders" by Mary Lynch Barbera.
This is a great book. Explains what the need is. Discusses Skinner's Verbal Behavior approach and gives lots of ideas to apply the techniques. The book is written in simple English in an easy to follow manner.
The main idea is about instilling positive change in the kid via positive reinforcement, getting attention, using expressions, etc.
When it comes to teaching a language the Skinner's model suggests two ideas: teaching receptive skill and teaching expressive skill. Receptive skill is about listening, comprehending, and responding to the directions. The expressive skill is about producing language to demand, ask, order, covey.
The book suggests we start with simple language like "stand up", "sit down", "touch the ball" etc. This is same as TPR developed by psychologist Dr. James Asher. Interesting.
Looks like we can use TPR to teach language to typical kid as well as special need kid. The pace will vary. The typical kid may acquire faster while the special need kid may require additional time.
Reading this book, I am beginning to understand the basics, the need, and ways to help. Will keep updating as I learn from the book.
