What is your educational background?
I have a high school diploma with some college hours in medical records training. I am working with the severely disabled and inclusion.

What other experiences, or staff development has prepared you for inclusion?
I have substituted in elementary and middle school with students that are physically impaired. In services offered through paraprofessional training classes have helped to know what is expected in inclusion.

What is your job role?
Paraprofessional/attendant care to assist student with toileting and skin care, feeding, balancing, position and interaction with other students in the playroom.

What is your role regarding the inclusive component of the program? Same as above.

How has your role changed or have you adapted your role as it relates to the inclusive program?
There have been no real changes to my role for inclusion with the student I've been assigned to work with.

What were your biggest concerns about participating in an inclusive program?
I had no concerns about the inclusive program, because the student with whom I was assigned to work had been in the classroom for some time and I assumed everything was being implemented to adapt classroom participation for him. It is also good for the peers to be accepting of his apparent difference.

What were your experiences related to these concerns once inclusive services were implemented?
In the short time that I have worked with the student, I've seen peers interact with him in play by pulling him in the wagon, presenting him with toys to play with and speaking to him. He has reacted to them by smiling and even turning his back to them when his space has been invaded. He listens when they call him (cocks his head to one side and has an intense look).

What do you see as the benefits of moving toward inclusive services?
The benefits for inclusion e services for the student that I work with are social interactions with class peers who are at varying developmental levels. It helps him become aware of things that he can do cognitively

Can you offer one or more anecdotes that you feel illustrate the benefits of inclusion?
For this particular student it would be necessary to continue OT, PT, attendant care, and probably speech as he progresses.