TAP Opened My Mind

TAP has taught me a lot of skills and different ways to apply said skills.  TAP has changed me as an individual by allowing me to learn all of this knowledge. From learning the behavior signs of kids and how to identify them, to sensory strategies in the classroom, and to being able to experience guest speakers.

TAP taught me therefore changing the way I see behavior signs and how to identify them in kids with learning difficulties. “Behavior is communication” (Dr. Becky Bailey).  This was from the slide shows but it highlights the importance of being able to identify someone’s behavior, are they happy, nervous, or sad. And we learned to deep dive into that feeling not just the tip of the iceberg but go down to the bottom and figure out what is making one or why one is feeling this way. And what does being sad really mean to them? 

In addition to learning about behavior signs I also learned about sensory strategies in the classroom. There are different things that can dysregulate kids such as visual information, noise/sound, smell/taste, and many more. It is important to be aware of what the sensory environment around you is, what is your space like? Where are you sitting? Does your chair have arms? What is the temperature in the room? Any of these factors can regulate or dysregulate a person. 

Finally a third thing I was able to experience was the guest speakers. We had amazing guest speakers that really made the TAP experience even better. A guest speaker that I really enjoyed in particular was Wendy Elliott-Vandivier. She is an activist who is responsible for the ramps on the Septa buses which I believe is a remarkable task for one to accomplish. She is also an artist where she spreads her voice making drawings with her and her dog saying stuff. I loved having guest speakers because it gave me the opportunity to learn a little more than off a computer screen or off slides. 

TAP has changed me as a person by teaching me, I can now look at lessons differently and with an even more open mind