Hello,
I am a third year student at Leeds Metropolitan University studying
playwork.
I am currently studying a child who I have known for many years now. Joseph
is eight years old and became profoundly deaf at the age of six months due
to meningitis. When Joseph was five years old he was fitted with a cochlear
implant.
The aid of the implant has improved his communication skills but he is
still unable to communicate as well as his peers. Joseph's preferred way of
communication is to sign but copes well in an environment where people are
unable to do this. Sign language at home is not encouraged as they are
encouraging him to use other ways to communicate.
Twice a week Joseph attends his local afterschool club where he mixes with
children from the ages of five to twelve years. Joseph has been coming to
the club for several years. The club is a friendly environment where the
majority of the older children have been attending since the age of five.
All the children who attend know each other well.
To staff members, Joseph seems to be a very friendly happy child, always
has a smile on his face and communicates well with staff. Two staff members
can sign. I feel that this helps Joseph to feel more comfortable in the
play environment.
When observing Joseph in the environment with other children he seems to be
isolated. For example if a group of children are playing a game Joseph will
stand on the outside of the game intensely watching what is going on. His
play cues suggest that he wants to join in with the game but is always
ignored by the other children.
Other children discuss whether they should let Joseph join in with their
games, but they always decided that he is not allowed to play because they
feel he won't understand what is happening.
I feel that because of the behaviour, which is displayed from the other
children, Joseph is now starting to become withdrawn from the other
children and is only making an effort to communicate with the staff members
and will only play alone.
Because I am concerned about the children's behaviour towards Joseph and
the effect this is having on him I have decided to investigate theories and
ideas on how to help him from becoming less withdrawn and more socially
excepted into the environment.
I was wondering if anybody would know of any theorists or ideas, which
would help me to be able to help him.
Thank you very much
Alex
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