Turner Syndrome Supported
making every student matter
An invaluable resource...
The UK has published this outstanding leaflet for parents and educators that provides much if not all the information an educator would require when teaching a girl with Turner Syndrome. This brochure defines the syndrome and helps both parents and teacher in dealing with the social aspects of life in school, general learning issues, specific learning issues, sex education and medical issues. It further provides tips for educators and parents. It is an excellent resource.
Difficulties in School...
Girls with Turner syndrome may experience some of the following struggles:
- social isolation
- difficulty reading social cues
- struggle with too much variation/unpredictability in the school day
- bullying
- being perceived as the age they actually are
- spatial difficulties/spatial awareness
- fine motor and gross motor skills
- memory difficulties
- struggles with co-ordination
- decrease in stamina
How teachers can help...
There are many ways to support students with Turner syndrome in classrooms...
- First and foremost, classrooms for students must be welcoming, safe places for students to learn. This actually has to be taught, not just told to students. Considerable time at the start of the year must be devoted to team building, get-to-know-you activities, and careful establishment of climate. This will help all students thrive.
- Offering physical handouts will be helpful (spatially) as will offering preferred seating locations (close to teacher and relatively free from distraction).
- Repeat instructions at least once.
- When addressing the student, use her name at the start and end of instruction.
- Help her set realistic goals and applaud movement towards those goals.
- Assist in the creation of partners and groups in collaborative exercises.
- Listen to her concerns, allow her to self-advocate, and encourage her VOICE.
Other considerations...
- Discussions around sex education will be a very sensitive topic for students with TS. Teachers should make it a point to discuss that not all women can have children naturally for a variety of reasons. The teacher should also explore what other options out there are available for people who cannot have children.
- There could be an array of physical struggles that a girl with TS has as well. It's very important that her teacher find out what she can and cannot do and accommodate accordingly. Consult the student's IEP, review medical documentation, and most importantly, consult with parents and conference with student so all feel supported.
Other things that will help a student with TS in your classroom are as follows:
- Google Read&Write will really help this student read, write, and edit work. Because a girl with TS struggles with spatial awareness and fine motor skills, this program will be especially useful to support her needs.
- Social skill development can be well supported through dramatic role play activities and several reflective exercises to follow.
- Math support can be achieved through fun and interactive apps (for elementary aged students) through Prodigy, Dreambox, and (for all ages) through ModMath (for a pencil-free platform, virtual graph paper, and great tools for organizaing and printing off work).
How can teachers ensure that a student with TS reaches her full potential?
Consulting with Ontario's Well-Being Strategy for Education outlines the importance of addressing all four domains of student well-being in the classroom: cognitive, physical, social, and emotional. Given the complexity of student issues with Turner syndrome, this approach appears to be the best.
Furthermore, this holistic approach will ensure improved student success with all students.