In one of my classes there is a handicapped young man that sits at the same table as me. His name is Blake. He is very intelligent but he is unable to use his hands for very much and since I am the only person near him, I have to do most things for him. I have never dealt with a special needs person before and I am finding that I need to learn to be more patient. I am so afraid of getting something wrong and causing him to be wrong too. I cant move to another table because it is a small class and would be too obvious, and I would feel terrible because I dont know if anyone else in there would help him.

Does anyone here have any advice for me?

My brother has CP, Mirror just try to find patient with him. Maybe the teacher could help you help him more.

You are wonderful for helping him this way, you have a good heart

Keep doing what you are doing,you are learning from it. You will always recieve blessings for helping someone else.

You are a good man , someday you will be rewarded for your good deeds

you are so sweet to help a fellow student he's so lucky to have you

I dont feel like a good man but I want to be a good man

Patience is the key, Hun. He may not say it but I'm sure that he appreciates ur helpin him.

Well, I didnt have much of a choice but to help him since he sits at the same table as me and no one else is nearby. I dont mind, but I am just saying that I am not used to it. I never really had to work with a special needs person before.

He thanks me constantly

He seems to be smarter than me but he is unable to use his hands to write or do much anything else. He is a good kid

I really think he should have an assistant with him

Im wondering if he was assessed before he started attending? Usually, if a student has additional support needs, they will be interviewed by the tutor and also by the access and inclusion co-ordinator, to find out wat support they need.

It sounds like this guy just needs someone to scribe for him, which imo, the school/college should be providing for him.

Its not ur place, and it could hinder ur own progress if u spend ur own time helping him. Wat i think would be helpful, is encouraging him to speak to the tutor, and tell them he would benefit from a support worker to scribe for him.

First, lets say it shows the type of person that you are to take the initiative to help Blake. You shouldn't worry about causing anything to be
wrong. I am sure Blake appreciates, your efforts. Patience is a virtue!

Your efforts are noticed by your peers, and your instructor. As long as it is not detrimental to you personally, I would suggest that continuing not as a nursemaid, but as a fellow student willing to help. My hat is off to you.

I have CP myself, Lee, with limited use of my hands, just try and be more patient, and understanding while you are helping him!! I think it is wonderful that you are trying to help him!!

I agree with Tina, u might want to suggest that he check with the local disability rehab services office about having one provided for him. The jr college I went to had to provide disabled students with whatever kind of accommendation they needed. I worked as a note taker for a blind student in one of my psych classes.

They do have facilities and assistance for him in the school, and basically I am just a notetaker for him ,but since we do a lot of group activities in this class I pretty much have to do all the hands on work for him including turning the pages for him in his textbook

my son is a special needs child hes 21 with a mind capcity of a 12yr old. he has a birth defect called lawerence beild syndrome. it effects each person in a differnt way but it does cause issue with the kidneys. i also have the same birth defect

You're helping him as much as you are, but have you stopped to think he's helping you too. You said you don't have alot of patience right. Well by you helping him in the ways you are. He in turn is helping you with your patience level is he not? I say keep doing what you're doing. We're all human we're all going to make mistakes. My best friend is in her own way disabled and I did for her what I'm guessing you're doing for this man. You're doing what he can't in other words. We've been best friends for over 20+ years because of it. KEEP GOING