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TOOLS HELP DISABLED STUDENTS

Reedsburg Times-Press - 6/8/2017

Kit Weix fields a lot of questions with her job.

As an autism and intellectual disabilities teacher she understands why parents have numerous concerns and curiosities. Thankfully modern technology - and a little low-cost ingenuity - make it increasingly easier to help children with different needs.

Weix, who works at Pineview Elementary School in Reedsburg, sees an assortment of students. Some kids learn through visuals or movement. Others communicate by pointing to objects or using tablet computers.

The district buys supplies, such as sensory toys, wheelchairs and smartboards, but other items, like canisters and cards, were crafted by teachers and aides.

Products can be purchased but they are expensive, Weix said.

The upside of homemade tools is they are cheap and easily replaced, she said.

People are more aware of disabilities, and the thirst for knowledge keeps increasing, Weix said.

Weix pointed to cortical visual impairments, also known as CVI, where vision is affected by the brain instead of the eye. Brain injuries can cause CVI but they are not always the culprit. Like many disabilities, CVI is still full of mysteries.

Teachers use symbols, colors and shapes to communicate with CVI students, Weix said. Movement, light and sound improve the chances of understanding.

The attitude was obvious on a recent school day when students pushed Adeline Lemke, 6, in rolling walker during recess. During playtime Adeline Lemke smiled, laughed and clapped her hands.

Her mother, Sarah Lemke, said Adeline receives excellent instruction at school and she loves going outside, reading and swimming.

Sarah Lemke said she worried about teasing when her daughter started school, but there haven't been any problems. Staff has been helpful and students are curious but respectful.

"I'm very thankful for Pineview," she said.

Students may qualify for summer school if they don't meet certain expectations. Adeline Lemke is one of those who exceeded or met her benchmarks so this will be the first year she doesn't take summer instruction. Sarah Lemke said she still plans to do exercises with Adeline to maintain her mobility.

She said she isn't concerned about the summer slump because Adeline will use what she has learned almost every day.

Adeline's success is one of the many reasons why Weix so often wears a smile with her job.

"(These children) are bright munchkins and sometimes they get upset when people see their disability first," she said.