by Andrew Danowitz Temple Sholom of Broomall Things I learned:​ Before enrolling in the TAP program, there were many things that I did not know about specific disabilities and their effects on people. I think there is a common misconception that because individuals have disabilities, they are incapable of doing anything. At TAP, I learned that disabled people are very intelligent, they often just express themselves differently. The major traits needed to work with people who have disabilities are patience and understanding. Being patient is one of the most important elements I learned that helps me work with and understand [...]

by Sarah Cohen Mishkan Shalom Ever since I was a child I always liked helping people out. Especially, kids who are younger then I. So, when I learned about the TAP program I knew that I wanted to be a part of. I found out about this program through another member of my congregation. She had gone through this program and found what she learned from the program to be helpful in a classroom setting. In my classroom, there is a student who has special needs. From working with him I have learned a lot about patience and flexibility. Sometimes [...]

by Naomi Guth Keneseth Israel Just seeing how their minds work. I’ve always thought it was really interesting how different people learn differently, and when it comes to kids with special needs, it’s even more engaging. Sometimes it’s hard figuring out what a specific child needs, but when it clicks, when you figure something out, it feels amazing. I’ve been working with a particular student on the autism spectrum throughout the year, and I’ve found little things that help him learn, such as computer games or videos, really anything that’s interactive in some way. Each time I’ve discovered something different [...]