At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shakira Brian Davis quit her job as an early childhood educator to take on the responsibility of homeschooling her two autistic sons diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I was.
She spent countless hours helping them with their speeches, developing self-help skills, and providing lessons through music and other creative means.
“There’s nothing I don’t do for my kids. Sometimes they don’t eat properly because they don’t get enough rest and they focus on eating. It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” she said. admitted Greener In July, she asked for financial assistance for an evaluation and help with admission to a special education school.
Greener Readers gave her financial support, and she enrolled the boys in Ensome Municipal Elementary School, based in St. Catherine, where the Ministry of Education provided the boys with shadows.
Shadows are individuals who provide one-on-one support to students with special needs to help develop their academic, social, and behavioral skills.
Samuel in 3rd grade and Caleb in 1st grade are eager to finish the Christmas term and return to school in January.
“They enjoy being in the school environment, being with other kids, and they love going to the stadium. They have friends and that’s what I wanted them to do.” not [just] Stay home. Caleb is still acclimating, but if you take him outside, he will come to life,” her mother said Wednesday.
When the semester began, Brian Davis acted as a shadow for both sons because he couldn’t get one for his next son.
“It took a while for him to be approved. Then when he shadowed, she couldn’t finish her term, so I went back to both shadows.” she said. Greeneradded that the education ministry promised to get his shadow in January.
Brian Davis said both of her sons did well academically, but Samuel did better than Caleb, who was still adjusting.
“It’s bittersweet. It’s so nice to have them in school, but with limited resources, it can be very difficult, especially if you don’t have sensory areas or specific learning items for them.” she said. Greener.
Since her mother quit her job, the family has survived solely on income from her husband, Ralston Davis.
“I have a scholarship from the ministry to accompany my eldest son, but the ministry said that since I am working with my eldest son, they want me to be released from the job so that I can take a break. It’s really taking a toll on my body, so they want to hand over that job to someone else,” she explained.
Her sons need learning resources, especially working with math, and help paying for behavioral therapy and buying food.
“Their food costs are very high, especially the elderly, who don’t eat much, so they have to buy a lot because sometimes they can’t even buy for themselves when they’re done eating,” explained Brian Davis.
judana.murphy@gleanerjm.com
how can i help
Bank – Victoria Mutual Building Society
Account Name – Shakira Bryan
Account Number – 25505827
Branch – Spanish Town
Bank – National Bank of Jamaica
Account Name – Ralston Davis
Account number – 10687223
Branch – Spanish Town
