Is the world mean to us?

Autistic kids are often scared by new things, new people and new environment.

They cry, scream and refuse to accept them.

I know it's a typical characteristic of Autism.

However..

Maybe I can understand. Sometimes, this world seems so mean to us. I even don't know why we can believe this world without any single clear reason or evidence.
Honestly, I am scared by lots of things too. Because I cannot see clearly even myself.

I try to make everything clear for kids. Try to make them believe ''The world is not so mean."
As a same time, I just want to hold them, say "I know".

Mika

The possibilities of Special Education

Hi all,
Let me introduce myself first. I am Mika Naito and working as a teacher for children (Mostly 1st to 9th grade students) with special needs. I'm working at a kind of Juku(塾) but I am not interested in a teaching how to pass an entrance examinations or the kind of stuff.
I just graduated from University of Oregon and got a master's degree in Special Education. Special Education is for children who need specialized education programs so they can get benefits from their educational opportunities.

Actually, even I don't know why I always cannot help caring children but I just feel like this is
the thing I really need to do in my life.

Special education can maximize children's possibilities, let them realize their strengths, give
them self-esteem and help them to enjoy their lives.

Education in Japan still have so much room for developing, in other words, special education in Japan is still at developing stage. I really want to use all of my skills and knowledge to make the situation better. That's why I am writing this blog with Mayuko, my very best friend, to start something new.

I want all kids to have self confidence and their own big biiiiig dreams. Of course, if we can write letters well and do math problems fast, it's gonna be cool... but so what?
These things are not the core value of human beings, I believe.
Bunch of people can write letters and have degrees, but how many people can really care about others? How many people can find small happiness in their daily lives? I know many kids who cannot write letters well but can find happiness in just tiny things. They should proud of themselves.

When we talk about our dreams, many people just say "oh well,, you are so young. good for you!" and never think seriously or do something for changing situations.
I hate that but as a same time, I'm afraid that I'm gonna be the kinda parson too.

Luckily, I met Mayuko, the super cool and active girl who is getting master's degree in gerontology in CA.

Through writhing this blog, I'd like to transmit information that relate to education, gerontology and any interesting things.
Thank you for reading!

Mika

Introduction of Gerontology

Hi, I'm Mayuko.

I am currently majoring in geronotlogy at graduate school in USA.

In this blog, I'd like to discuss what I am learning at school and also interesting news in English with tardy sentences.

Mika is the co-writer in this blog.

She specialized in special education in American grad school as well.

Veery brilliant and aspired girl!!

I hope we could keep sharpening our "English" saw through this blog.

*disclaimer*

Broken English (grammer errors, misspelling totally accepted ;-) )

--------------------------------------------------------

For the first time, I'd like to briefly introduce what actually "gerontology" is.

Gerontology is the field of study that focuses on understanding the biological, psychological, social and political factors that influence older people’s lives.

Gerontology was born in the early 20^th century. Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov, a Russian microbiologist, who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1908, coined the term gerontology as “scientific study of old age” .
The term gerontology was inspired from the word geron which means “old man” in Greek.

Gerontology first emerged mainly in scientific field, especially on bioligical and psychological aspects. In the post war period, gerontology expanded its domain more in social policy and practice arenas. Today, gerontology became a interdisciplinary field of aging and covers many study domains.

Although it has not been prevalent in Japan yet, gerontology has been widespread in the US college education for over 40 years. Since Japan has remarked the highest aging rate in 2005, I believe that this major is going to become one of the emerging fields in this century.

*continued...*