Children go from being nonverbal, to communicating effectively because of the great work that Mr. Joseph (left) and Ms. Sarah (right) have done in the special needs program.
There should be no child left behind.
All children regardless of their neurodivergence, physical or mental capabilities, deserve quality education.
FICA has created an inclusive environment for children with special needs to thrive, we spoke with the teachers leading this program to share the great work that God is doing through them.
What are some success stories from this program?
We were given 3 years to help a student reach the milestones of learning how to read, sitting still, and communicating basic sentences to people. It took us only 1 year to achieve this!
At first the student was nonverbal, but he can now talk and interact with other children. He doesn't try to run away from the people around him. Before he joined FICA, his previous teachers had given up on him, and lost hope.
His parents are now able to work comfortably because their child is independent, he can speak, and integrates well in the school. He is learning how to read, getting more comfortable with the phonics, blending letters together, and he now reads 2-3 letter words.
We have another example of a young student who would faint whenever she met someone new due to her intense phobia. She had cerebral palsy and it led her in the hospital any time that she had to deal with her phobia of meeting new people. Mr. Joseph formed a rapport with her to make her more comfortable with him. The parents were nervous that she couldn’t handle school.
She has been able to make friends and get comfortable with her teachers. She doesn’t faint anymore when she meets new people and she runs around playing with her friends. She used to fear going to the washrooms alone, or even talking to new people, and now she has gotten her confidence. Her vocabulary has also improved significantly.
What is your vision for the special needs program?
The goal of the program is to help the students become fully independent in the school and also in the outside world. They need functional life skills, speech, language, and more. The environment we’ve created in FICA is inclusive and conducive for our special needs students.
Our learning environment makes it easier for our students to develop better and become more independent over time. Some students have behavioral challenges, and when they integrate and socialize with other kids, it helps them learn new behaviors and feel like they are a part of a supportive community.
Do you think the ACE curriculum is accommodating to special needs children?
Yes, it is accommodating because it is an individualized curriculum. When you work with them, they need individualized attention. They each have their own weaknesses and strengths. The curriculum is perfect for them.
There is less segregation in our learning centers which makes all our students equal and helps them develop better. The teachers and students treat all the children equally.
When a special needs student is enrolled, we spread word to the learning centers and the school generally so that their peers are aware of the child’s challenges and how they can be supported.
When the children reach the goals we’ve set for them, then they can progress like any other student. We want them to become more independent.
What motivates you each day to work in this program?
It’s always encouraging to see the small ways that the children remember the things we teach them. I am always learning more about activities that we can do with the children to make them more engaged and help them learn more.
"I feel like I am their voice and I need to be there to support them." - Ms. Sarah
Mr. Joseph says that the school motivates him because he has worked with many schools and FICA has a unique way of embracing him and the children with special needs. They create an atmosphere that makes it easier for the children to grow and develop.
This really encourages Joseph to come to work every day. The kind of progress that children make is also another thing that motivates him and more encouragement.
"The bond that we have created with the students helps them develop." Mr. Joseph
Summary
Every child matters at FICA.
We create an environment where students can be a part of something instead of feeling segregated or left out due to their special needs. This program is led by two incredible teachers who are passionate about children's development and wellbeing.
Please contact admin@fica.ug to learn more about how you can support this program.
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