Buddy Systems by https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69 en-us 2022-07-07 01:16:08 UTC 2025-06-02 20:38:58 UTC hello@padlet.com Poem naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2238485473 Judy Endow, autistic author and international speaker, voices a perspective on 'peer buddy' programs that pushes back against the dominant discourse of such programs. ]]> 2022-07-07 01:19:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2238485473 Recognizing Ableism in Educational Initiatives naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2238491955 “Educators and advocates for students with disabilities have been on a quest for full participation in the life of school: academic achievement, extracurricular enrichment, friendship and social engagement. (Connor et al., 2016; Danforth & Gabel, 2016)  While policies have helped the quest advance, there are still hidden obstacles in the way”  (p. 96). This paper outlines the theory behind ableism, as well as describes some educational initiatives that were explored under the lens of ableism.  

]]> 2022-07-07 01:25:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2238491955 'Peer Power' Tips naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240216149 This is a document that I (Naomi) used with my peer buddies when implementing a buddy program in a Jr. High School. Let's critique this document.]]> 2022-07-09 17:27:07 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240216149 Peer Buddy Reference Letter naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240217984 This is a reference letter I (Naomi) wrote for a student who was engaged in the peer buddy programs at the school where I taught. Let's critique this document.]]> 2022-07-09 17:37:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240217984 Dominant narratives, subjugated knowledges, and the righting of the story of disability in K-12 curricula naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240219872 This articles “…provide[s] concrete strategies for infusing counter-narratives and subjugated knowledges into the curriculum where silences or authoritative presences exist” (p. 387)  through the lens of Foucault, as well as through Disability-Studies. The authors of this article want to call educators into action in order to “…tackle, head-on, ableist discourse in the curriculum with a goal of promoting liberatory knowledges about disability in schools” (p. 387) by breaking the silence of disability, challenging various authoritative knowledges.

]]> 2022-07-09 17:49:00 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240219872 The Dilemma of Social Skills naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240226954 The author writes about the dilemma of teaching social skills to Autistic children. "The current way things are set up, we either teach the kid how to mask, leading to potentially some social acceptance and school success at the expense of their true sense of identity, or we do nothing, causing the child to be socially rejected and possibly a distraction in class."]]> 2022-07-09 18:22:42 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240226954 Friendship and Belonging naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240233502 This website gives resources for helping to support the development of friendships. "The Community Resource Unit (CRU) exists to create and promote positive change so that people living with disability can belong to and actively contribute to social and economic life. Together with people living with disability, their families, allies in the human services sector and the community we build a movement for change."]]> 2022-07-09 18:59:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240233502 Do You Want to Play naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240235929 "Finally, a book that does not pathologize autism or insist that autistic children change who they are in order to have friends.

"Do You Want to Play?"

That's what Jamie, with her favourite yellow truck, asks new kid Dylan, who only seems to want to line up his cars.  Can Jamie make a friend before Mommy comes to take her home?

A heartwarming story of learning about others and finding new ways to have fun."]]> 2022-07-09 19:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240235929 Autistic Mentorship naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236241 This is another link within the Thinking Person's Guide to Autism.
***This link provides an interview with Raya, who considers herself an Autistic Mentor.]]> 2022-07-09 19:12:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236241 How to Create Social Groups for Autistic Teens and Adults naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236388 Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism – Access to Resources and various organizations for both people with Autism, their families and FAQs on Neurodiversity 
***This particular link outlines how one person began creating social groups for people with an “autistic identity” as identified on the website.

]]> 2022-07-09 19:13:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236388 Autistic Youth Deserve Better Than Forced Friendship naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236742 "Friendship facilitation does not mean broadcasting your teen’s lack of friends online or trying to gaslight other teens into taking them to events like homecoming dances, proms, or birthday parties. It means looking for meetups and events that will be accessible to your autistic teen, asking them if they want to participate, and allowing them to leave if and when they wish." (Cevik, 2019, para. 17)]]> 2022-07-09 19:16:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240236742 A Lifetime to Shine: From Special Proms to Authentic Inclusion naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240238038 "Real, organic, reciprocal relationships can’t be engineered, not even by social psychologists. But we can identify factors that tend to encourage attraction. Research shows that two of the most important ingredients for relationship making are proximity and similarity. Proximity refers to how often people share the same physical space. The “proximity principle” explains why people are most likely to befriend or date individuals who live, study, or work near them. Similarity, meanwhile, can involve any shared trait, interest or experience." (asilverm, 2019, para. 8)]]> 2022-07-09 19:24:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240238038 Benevolence, Friendship, & the Politics of Help naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240239012 "Perhaps we must begin by acknowledging what should be, but is not always obvious. That is, no one has the power to conjur up friendship at will. Maybe that's just as well. Friendship is about choice and chemistry, and cannot even be readily defined, much less forced. This is precisely its magic. Realizing this, we can acknowledge without any sense of inadequacy that we are not, nor need to be, friendship sorcerers." (Van der Klift & Kunc, 1994, para. 27)]]> 2022-07-09 19:28:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240239012 "You're Such a Good Friend": A woven autoethnographic narrative discussion of disability and friendship in Higher Education naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240240038 In this article, the authors present an autoethnographic narrative discussion of their friendship, and engage in reflection about a time when one of the friends was told "You are such a good friend", which prompted discussion on disability/disablement, ableism, and the meaning of friendship.]]> 2022-07-09 19:34:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240240038 I Am Not Your Mitzvah Project naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240240502 This author shares her thoughts on pairing neurotypical, nondisabled kids with disabled peers, while expecting something in return, such as volunteer hours. In her post she writes: "Inclusion is a commitment and practice, not a trend or means to an end....I want people to be friends with me — and others like me — for the right reasons: seeing our humanity, sharing common interests and experiences, and recognizing that, honestly, we’re cool people and loyal friends. Don’t friend me for lessons learned, self-improvement, service hours or community service."

]]> 2022-07-09 19:36:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240240502 We Move Together naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240241439 "We Move Together follows a mixed-ability group of kids as they creatively negotiate everyday barriers and find joy and connection in disability culture and community. A perfect tool for families, schools, and libraries to facilitate conversations about disability, accessibility, social justice and community building. Includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 6 – 9)."]]> 2022-07-09 19:41:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240241439 Why Johnny Doesn't Flap naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240241740 "A great book comparing and contrasting two friends, one with Autism, the other Neurotypical. Children and their grownups are sure to have a much better understanding of the beautiful differences between these two friends!"]]> 2022-07-09 19:42:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240241740 Take a Peek Inside (What Helped Me Most in School) naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240259577 "Mikhaela Ackerman is an autistic public speaker, writer, yoga instructor, and advocate. She also holds a Juris Doctorate of law. Diagnosed in early childhood, Mikhaela was nonverbal until she was 5 years old. Today, Mikhaela and her mother regularly appear at advocacy and educational events to provide both the autistic person and parent perspective. Mikhaela’s writing has been featured on The Mighty, Mental Health Talk, and many more. This website serves to bring together a wide range of community to help other autistic people and families."

]]> 2022-07-09 21:33:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240259577 Land Acknowledgement kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240275957 Taken from the CBE Indigenous Education Team.]]> 2022-07-09 23:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240275957 The Inspiration kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240276638 What was the inspiration behind our idea? ]]> 2022-07-09 23:34:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240276638 The Buddy Peer Typical Model Post kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240276790 Food for thought....]]> 2022-07-09 23:35:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240276790 Buddy System: An Inclusive Teaching Strategy kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240278280 2022-07-09 23:46:44 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240278280 All Are Welcome kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240515562 "Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms no matter their race, religion, or background. With vividly detailed illustrations and a gently reassuring text, Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman celebrate kindness, inclusivity, and diversity in a joyous read-aloud that is a must for every child's bookshelf." ]]> 2022-07-10 20:17:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240515562 Click the link below. kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240525627 What is your initial response to the idea of a Peer Buddy Program? Use YELLOW stickies. ]]> 2022-07-10 21:07:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2240525627 Taken from "I Am Not Your Mitzvah Project" Website kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242007913 “I want people to be friends with me — and others like me — for the right reasons: seeing our humanity, sharing common interests and experiences, and recognizing that, honestly, we’re cool people and loyal friends. Don’t friend me for lessons learned, self-improvement, service hours or community service. The real mitzvah would be transforming the culture to be rooted in disability justice and empowering people with disabilities, rather than seeing us as a way to meet a goal. The real mitzvah would be taking an interest, dismantling barriers to friendships, and creating genuine inclusion for all people with disabilities.”

]]> 2022-07-12 17:48:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242007913 Online Groups kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242010910 When creating social groups within a community, such as the Autism community, try "a Facebook group or other social media component to the social group [that] can help people feel more comfortable attending and connecting, can help further along relationships, and can help coordinate group activities."

-Taken from the "How to Create Social Groups for Autistic Teens and Adults" Website
 ]]> 2022-07-12 17:56:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242010910 Read Between the Lines kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242013232 Read between the lines and recognize ableism in educational initiatives. “Reading between the lines to identify ableism is not about blame or suggesting odious 
intent by policymakers or educators, but rather, developing an increasingly sophisticated 
awareness of the assumptions about disability that have been absorbed by all citizens simply 
by being in the world" (Baglieri & Lalvani, 2020, as cited in Timberlake, 2020, p. 86).  

“Unlearning ableism means re-imagining education, asking new questions about what disability means, and challenging the prevalent deficit-based language, practices and policies of schooling” (Danforth & Gabel, 2016, as cited in Timberlake, 2020, pp. 95-96).
]]> 2022-07-12 18:01:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242013232 Critical Pedagogy kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242024943 “Erevelles argues for an approach to critical pedagogy that productively draws upon a materialist DS perspective as an organizing principle for analysis of intersectional oppression in schools. We find that using the tools of critical theorists, but grounding our analysis in a DS approach, allows us to unpack ableism in K-12 classrooms by teaching children to recognize how dominant narratives are present and reproduced in stories and curriculum. As students engage critically with curricular realities, schooling structures must fight material inequities between groups of students. We believe that using critical pedagogy to support youth’s engagement with curricula can create opportunities for discursive and material shifts in society. Thus, we assert that dominant narratives, silences, and subjugated knowledges about disability in cultural products and literature can serve as useful entry points for critically examining ableism and other forms of marginalization in our society, and can support children in recognizing and confronting such issues” (Bacon & Lalvani, 2019, pp. 392-393).

]]> 2022-07-12 18:32:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242024943 Study Disability History kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242025257 “We urge that, in studying disability history, students should learn not only about the historical oppression of people with disabilities, but also about their resistance to oppression and their empowerment through the disability rights movement. Typically, social studies units include a study of civil rights movements, and of the historical figures and leaders associated with them. This provides natural opportunities for students to learn about the emergence of disability pride, disability culture, and various disability rights activists such as Ed Roberts, Irving Zola, Harriet McBryde Johnson, Leroy Moore, Mia Mingus, and Judy Heumann” (Bacon & Lavani, 2019, p. 395).

]]> 2022-07-12 18:32:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242025257 Teach the Language kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242025881  
“Another area of silence pertains to the lack of language available to students in discussing disability. As teacher-educators, we have had recent conversations with inservice and pre-service teachers who have stated that, outside of the context of special education, the term disability itself seems to be considered taboo and, consequently, is avoided; in its place, there are an alarming number of euphemisms used when referring to students with disabilities, such as: “exceptional,” “special,” “differently-abled,” and “inclusion kids. ”The rhetoric of “we are all different” seems, to many teachers, to be sufficient in addressing the topic of disability. Even within bullying, anti-bias, or character education curricula, although there is often discussion of “differences” or “diversity,” disability is not typically named. As noted by Allen (2013), a key way to promote critical inquiry is to adopt and model language in schools that subvert dominant and negative discourses. We assert that the ways teachers talk about disability in their classrooms and the ways they model conversations about disability can have immense impact on students; thus, we
 recommend directly naming disability and issues of ableism in schools” (Bacon & Lalvani, 2019, p. 396).

]]> 2022-07-12 18:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242025881 Model Groups After GSAs kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242026177 “In contrast to this deficit-oriented framing of self-advocacy as a skill students lack and must be taught, we recommend modeling Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs that are common in many schools to promote identity-building and supportive inclusion for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQþ) youth. With regard to a disability framework, schools might support youth to come together around advocacy issues that impact the inclusion and social integration of students with disabilities in their school and community. The ally model would promote an identity-based, yet inclusive platform for students to work collaboratively for social change. Being diligent in critically assessing the presence of dominant authoritative knowledges in classrooms and schools and integrating alternate perspectives creates the potential to shift discursive structures and understandings of youth in schools” (Bacon & Lalvani, 2019, pp. 400-401). 
 

]]> 2022-07-12 18:35:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242026177 Guest Speakers kebitz https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242026343 Bacon & Lalvani (2019) share that by inviting guest speakers into schools who identify as disabled to speak in classrooms or assemblies can help to promote “…authentic understandings of disability.” (p. 400)

]]> 2022-07-12 18:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242026343 Nurturing Strengths & Interests naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242132453 One element of an authentic friendship tends to be engaging in shared interests or activities. In speaking about how disabled students can build meaningful connections, it is suggested that educators can "nurture disabled students’ natural strengths and interests so they have something to share with their peers and aren’t just takers in their friendships" (Disability Wisdom Consulting, 2019, para. 10). ]]> 2022-07-12 23:47:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242132453 Don't Praise Friendships naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242134659 "Friendship between children is wonderful. However, it is not a big deal. If we commend and praise children without disabilities for their interactions with their peers with disabilities (either publicly or in other ways), we inadvertently make friendship a big deal and imply that all children are not created equal. We reinforce the idea that it is morally and socially admirable to "help the handicapped," and, thereby may remove the opportunity for equality and reciprocity" (Van der Klift & Kunc, 1994, p. 56). ]]> 2022-07-12 23:51:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242134659 Accessibility naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242137603 “The physical aspect – the fact that public transportation is accessible, there’s curb cuts, most places, almost, most places are accessible. And what this does is leads to a social acceptability. That somehow because there’s physical access there’s simply more disabled people out and about in the world and so people have learned how to interact with them and are used to them in a certain way. And so physical access actually leads to a social access and acceptance” (Taylor, 2010, 1:05:10)]]> 2022-07-12 23:57:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242137603 Just Asking naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242139790 "Kids his age, teenagers, will for the most part either ignore him, ridicule him, or ask to do his respite care to fulfill their community service requirement at school. They never ask him what he wants" (Cevik, 2019, para. 2). ]]> 2022-07-13 00:01:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242139790 Don't Expect Neurodivergent Students to Act in a Neurotypical Way naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242140398 The storybook "Do you want to play?" recognizes that there is no one "right" way to play, and that autistic students do not need to conform to neurotypical patterns of play in order to engage with peers. There are many ways to play.]]> 2022-07-13 00:02:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242140398 naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242770920 2022-07-13 17:35:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242770920 Neurodiversity Affirming Bookshelves naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242776452 Include neurodiversity affirming storybooks in your classroom and school bookshelf and library! ]]> 2022-07-13 17:49:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242776452 What Happened To You naomibell21 https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242778569 "Imagine if you were asked the same question again and again throughout your life . . . 
Imagine if it was a question that didn’t bring about the happiest of memories . . . 
This is the experience of Joe, who just wants to have fun in the playground. Which is hard when kids keep pointing out he’s only got one leg and asking: 
“WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!” 
Constantly interrogated about his disability, Joe is cross . . . and fed up. How should Joe deal with their questions? Does he owe them an answer when all he wants to do is play Pirates? Maybe if he holds out, they’ll lose interest and join in his game instead. 
Eventually the penny drops and the children realise that it’s a question Joe just doesn’t want to answer and that, in fact, Joe is playing a rather good game . . . one they can join in with if they stop fixating on his missing leg. 
Including a letter to parents at the back, What Happened to You? aims to educate young readers – and their parents! – on how to address difference. It also speaks directly to disabled children to try to offer them acknowledgement, guidance and reassurance."]]> 2022-07-13 17:54:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kebitz/t3fezt3rhk4yub69/wish/2242778569