As someone who has taken the Coursera course on Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education by the University of Cape Town, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities and how to provide effective care and education for them. The course is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics, including the causes and characteristics of intellectual disability, the different types of support needed for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the importance of collaboration and communication between caregivers, educators, and medical professionals. Additionally, the course emphasizes the importance of individualized care and education plans, which take into account the unique needs and abilities of each person with intellectual disabilities. The course also provides practical strategies for creating inclusive learning environments and promoting social and emotional development.
About the books, I found each to be useful and influential in its own way. Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delhooke (2019), PhD, provides valuable insights into the underlying causes of challenging behaviors in children as well as practical strategies for addressing them with compassion and understanding.
Tanya Talaga’s (2017) Seven Fallen Feathers illuminates the terrible history of Canada’s residential school system and its continued effect on Indigenous communities. The book is a potent reminder of the need of recognizing and resolving past injustices. It provides numerous ways for encouraging good transformation in disadvantaged areas, especially Indigenous communities in Canada (Talaga, 2017). The need for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive education is underlined as one of the most essential measures in the book. Talaga (2017) stresses the need of providing Indigenous adolescents with an education that is culturally appropriate, respectful, and representative of their unique histories and life experiences. This involves integrating Indigenous knowledge and viewpoints into the curriculum and providing students with opportunity to learn from and interact with Indigenous elders and community members.
John.S. Milloy and Mary Jane McCallum’s (2017) A National Crime: The Canadian Government and Residential School System presents a thorough historical history of the residential school system in Canada and its terrible impact on Indigenous children and families. It is a detailed assessment of the Canadian residential school system and the government’s involvement in its construction and management (Milloy & Jane, 2017). This book details the history of residential schools, their effect on Indigenous people, and the continuing trauma and intergenerational suffering produced by this institution.
Murder by Decree: The Crime of Genocide in Canada: A Rebuttal to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report by Kevin This provocative and controversial book by Daniel Annett (2016) contradicts the official narrative of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings on Canadian residential schools. The book addresses significant concerns about the continuing battle for reconciliation and justice in Canada, including the need for a more comprehensive and responsible strategy to resolving the injuries created by the residential school system (Annett, 2016). Annett (2016) emphasizes the significance of continuous lobbying and activity by Indigenous peoples and their supporters, as well as the necessity for greater discourse and action to create a more fair and equitable society for everyone.
Finally, Linda K. Murphy’s (2020) Declarative Language Handbook and Co-Regulation Handbook Specifically, it provides solutions for fostering the social and emotional development of children with social learning difficulties. Co-regulation, which is the act of two or more individuals working together to manage their emotions and behavior, is emphasized as a means of fostering a pleasant and supportive environment for children with social learning issues (Murphy, 2020). This book offers ways for parents and teachers to assist youngsters in learning how to self-regulate their emotions and actions, as well as how to co-regulate with others. In addition, the book highlights the need of recognizing and appreciating individual variations and requirements and modifying techniques appropriately. Murphy (2020) emphasizes the significance of adopting declarative language, which is information-sharing language as opposed to language that poses questions or makes demands. Caregivers may assist children with social learning difficulties feel more competent, connected, and understood by using declarative language. The book includes examples of how to utilize declarative language with children during playing, mealtime, and sleep rituals. Thus, resulting in a comprehensive piece which contributes to the promotion of learning among children with special needs.
In conclusion, the Coursera course on Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education by the University of Cape Town, along with the books Beyond Behaviors, Seven Fallen Feathers, A National Crime, Murder by Decree, and the Declarative Language Handbook and Co-Regulation Handbook, offer a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies for creating more inclusive and compassionate communities. These resources emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities, including individuals with intellectual disabilities and Indigenous peoples in Canada. They also underscore the importance of collaboration, communication, and cultural responsiveness in providing effective care and education. By implementing the strategies and insights presented in these resources, individuals can play a crucial role in promoting positive change and creating a more just and equitable society for all.
References
Annett, K. D. (2016). Murder by decree: The crime of genocide in Canada: A counter report to the “Truth and reconciliation commission”. The International Tribunal for the Disappeared of Canada.
Delahooke, M. (2019). Beyond behaviors: Using brain science and compassion to understand and solve children’s behavioral challenges. PESI Publishing & Media.
Milloy, J. S., & Jane, L. M. C. M. (2017). A national crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System, 1879 to 1986. University of Manitoba Press.
Murphy, L. K. (2020). Declarative language handbook: Using a thoughtful language style to help kids with social learning challenges feel competent, connected, and understood. Linda K. Murphy.
Talaga, T. (2017). Seven: Racism, death, and hard truths in a Northern City. House of Anansi Press.