Andrea Kimsman

Andrea Kimsman

Partial Hospitalization Program, Stoughton MA

[email protected]

Lessons Learned

• Each child, including the lens in which they see and interpret the world is uniquely their own which beautifully contributes to the subjectivity and diversity of life.
• Children, and especially children with exceptionalities, often communicate through behavior, including behavioral responses and it is the responsibility of the adults to determine an effective interpretation of those choices, rather than viewing them as “bad” behavior or looking at these choices as less intentional. Children deserve for the adults within their environment to not only assume competence but also to assume positive intent.
• Children have a very interesting way of responding to and engaging with trauma, which often encourages adults to think more abstract and creative; there is SO MUCH we can learn from children if we are willing to be teachable.

Resources Developed

• I recently gave a presentation at Florida Educators for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (FEDHH) conference titled “The Fallacy of the ‘Bad’ Kid” which highlighted the importance of understanding how our own lens impacts our ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with students, specifically students who exhibit non-preferred behaviors as a result of trauma and/or experiences that are outside of their control. The presentation can be accessed by clicking here (coming soon).
• I have also had the pleasure of participating in an international research study in which teachers of the Deaf were asked to collaborate on Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies to promote inclusion and accessibility within the classroom setting. The results of this collaboration can be found by clicking here (coming soon).

Suggested Resources

• The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• Florida’s Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (RMTC-DHH); a non-discretionary project in Florida

Collaborative Areas of Interest

• Mental health, including accessible and adaptable resources and services that provide care in this area.
• Support for individuals who are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing in regard to both mental health and educational resources
• Mental and behavioral health resources for children and families that are accessible to individuals with exceptionalities.