Saturday, September 25, 2010

My First Day!


I taught a special needs Zumba class this morning for the the first time.

Prior to this morning, I was a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who taught teachers about autism and developed curriculum and behavior plans for children with developmental delays and happened to teach Zumba on the side "just for fun".

Six months ago, I was asked if I would be interested in teaching Zumba to teenagers with special needs - mostly teens on the autism spectrum. I could not say no - it was too perfect.

This morning, I met my students. A beautiful young lady with nice manicured red nails. A quiet young man with Down Syndrome and autism who gave me a very serious look the entire class. 2 young men I met when they were boys, and had the opportunity to work with many years ago. A happy young man with cochlear implants. An 18 year old who was vocal and asked me some questions. The rest of the students were either nonverbal or had minimal language.

I did not bother explaining what Zumba was. The language would have made no sense to them. It would not be functional to stand there and talk.

I introduced myself and asked them their names. Some of the parents had to help with their greetings and names. I told each student to pick a spot, and turned on the music.

Usually, when I teach a skill, I have to allow for a block of time where the skill slowly emerges, and then plan ways to reinforce, fade the reinforcer, and generalize the skill.

This morning, I experienced something so unique... so different from my everyday experiences.

Each student watched me, did what I did, and even added their own flair. They all looked so serious, but a closer look revealed the joy they felt with each song.

And then - in the middle of the class, it happened. They started moving faster. More spontaneously. They began to woop. To smile......

This is not a population who participates to be polite. To avoid hurting someone's feelings. These guys are so honest, and so real. If they did not like it, they would leave - plain and simple. But they didn't!

Of course, I have a background in teaching, experience in working with special needs populations - but the most strategies that worked the best were:

Following the Zumba formula.

Not using any language - except for calling a student's name to watch me, or to praise him or her. I will use behavior specific language... "Great step, Brian!" "Nice arms, Gina!" but nothing else. I do not explain the formula. I do not explain the process. This is where I need to do more than say!

Big movements to make it easier for them to imitate me - nonverbal cueing must be big, and not occur too soon - they will do what I do, and I need to know when to cue to get them doing the move at the right time

Breaking steps down into halftime, and slowly fading to tempo when they are ready

I must keep the same position - preferably with my back to them so they can model exactly what I am doing. If I turn, they turn. If I walk over to a student, they will follow me. So I stay where I am, but interact with them with the mirror. They get it - they see me, hear me, and know when I am engaging them.

I interject humor and fun moves. They appreciate it!

I hope to be able to share more each week!!! I can't wait to watch this unfold!!!

I will share my playlist next blog entry. I hope to add activities, strategies, and other fun things to keep my guys with me every week!

At the end, I give them a high 5 and a smile. I let them know how awesome they are!