My story of inclusion - 6th grader with Down Syndrome (Captions available)

Mia Pisani

20 Mar 201707:55

Summary

TLDRMia Pisani, a 6th-grade graduate with Down Syndrome, shares her inclusive school experience in a presentation. She emphasizes the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities, detailing her educational journey, support from family and friends, and the challenges faced by others with Down Syndrome. Mia's story showcases her achievements, such as graduating from Quest Elementary School and taking the New York State Test, and her hope to inspire others.

Takeaways

🎓 Mia Pisani, a student with Down Syndrome, just graduated from 6th grade at Quest Elementary School.
🌟 Mia's exhibition message is about the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities.
📅 She raised awareness on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21st, to celebrate Trisomy 21.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mia presented to Lily's parents and student teachers about inclusion, emphasizing the community aspect.
🧬 Mia explained that Down Syndrome means having an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.
👨‍👩‍👧 Mia's parents were happy to have her despite societal concerns about Down Syndrome.
🏥 Historically, people with Down Syndrome were often separated from society, but Mia has been included.
👶 Mia started Physical Therapy at three years old and became a big sister when her brother Luke was born.
💪 Mia's team included not just teachers but also her family, who supported her learning journey.
📚 Mia has been included in all activities with her peers and siblings since kindergarten.
🏆 Mia was the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate from QUEST in a regular classroom.
📈 With help, Mia meets her reading and math goals and is good at taking notes.
🚀 Mia is moving on to middle school with a plan in place, supported by her past and future teams.

Q & A

What is Mia Pisani's message about inclusion for people with disabilities?
-Mia's message is that inclusion is important for people with disabilities because they can be friends and learn in the same community.
What did Mia do to raise awareness on World Down Syndrome Day?
-Mia raised awareness on World Down Syndrome Day by celebrating Trisomy 21, which is the scientific term for Down Syndrome.
Who is Lily and how is she related to Mia's advocacy?
-Lily is a child going to Kindergarten in Hilton who also has Down Syndrome. Mia presented to Lily's parents as part of her advocacy.
What was Mia's role in presenting to student teachers about inclusion?
-Mia presented to student teachers about inclusion to share her experiences and promote the importance of including children with disabilities in regular classrooms.
How does Mia describe Down Syndrome?
-Mia describes Down Syndrome as having an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, also known as Trisomy 21.
What was Mia's experience with physical therapy?
-Mia started physical therapy when she was three years old, and it eventually moved from her house to dance class.
How did Mia's brother Luke become involved in her physical therapy?
-Luke started helping Mia with her physical therapy, and they helped each other learn.
What was the role of Mia's family in her education and support?
-Mia's family, including her parents and siblings, were part of her support team, and they worked closely with therapists and teachers.
What was the significance of Mia's kindergarten experience?
-Mia's kindergarten experience was significant because she was included with friends her own age and took the same bus as her neighborhood friends.
How did Mia's team help her learn and achieve her goals?
-Mia's team, including speech, OT, and special ed, along with her assistant Mrs. Kintz, helped her learn and achieve her academic goals, including in math and reading.
What milestone did Mia achieve at the end of her elementary school journey?
-Mia became the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate all the way through QUEST in a regular classroom.
What are Mia's plans for middle school?
-Mia is heading to middle school and has already met with her QUEST team and her new middle school team to make plans for her future education.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Inclusion Advocate: Mia's Journey

Mia Pisani, a recent 6th-grade graduate with Down Syndrome, shares her story of inclusion in education. She emphasizes the importance of including people with disabilities in the same community where they can make friends and learn. Mia discusses her school experiences, her participation in World Down Syndrome Day, and her presentations to parents and student teachers. She also talks about her family's support and the various therapies she has undergone since a young age. Mia's message is one of hope and inclusion, showing that with extra help, she can achieve her goals and be part of a regular classroom.

05:02

🎓 Mia's Academic and Social Milestones

This paragraph details Mia's educational and social milestones from kindergarten to her graduation. It includes her relationships with her first friends, her kindergarten team, and her experiences with various teachers and support staff throughout her schooling. Mia discusses her academic achievements, including taking the New York State Test and meeting her reading and math goals. She also shares her graduation from Quest Elementary School as the first student with Down Syndrome to do so in a regular classroom. Mia expresses her hopes that her story will inspire others and thanks the people who have supported her along the way.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition where individuals have an extra copy of chromosome 21. This results in distinct physical features and varying degrees of cognitive delay. In the video, Mia Pisani, the speaker, has Down Syndrome and shares her experiences to raise awareness about the condition and the importance of inclusion. The video emphasizes the theme of inclusion by showcasing Mia's participation in regular education settings and her message that people with Down Syndrome can learn and socialize in the same community as their peers.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion refers to the practice of integrating individuals with disabilities into general education settings, allowing them to learn and interact with their non-disabled peers. The video's central theme is inclusion, as Mia discusses how she was included in her school community from kindergarten through sixth grade. Her message is that inclusion is important for people with disabilities because it fosters friendships and a sense of belonging within the larger community.

💡World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day is observed on March 21st (3/21) to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and to celebrate the lives and achievements of individuals with the condition. In the script, Mia mentions raising awareness on this day as one of her actions, which ties into the video's broader message of promoting understanding and acceptance of people with Down Syndrome.

💡Trisomy 21

Trisomy 21 is the medical term for Down Syndrome, indicating that individuals have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. The video mentions this term when Mia explains what Down Syndrome means to her, highlighting the genetic aspect of the condition and its impact on her life.

💡Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a type of therapy that helps individuals with physical disabilities improve their movement and manage their symptoms. In the video, Mia talks about starting physical therapy at the age of three, which shows how early interventions can support the development of children with Down Syndrome. This therapy is part of the broader support system that Mia has had throughout her life to help her achieve her goals.

💡Team

In the context of the video, a 'team' refers to the group of people who support Mia's educational and developmental journey. This includes her teachers, therapists, and family members. The video emphasizes the importance of teamwork in fostering an inclusive environment, as Mia's team worked together to ensure she had the necessary support to learn and grow alongside her peers.

💡Special Education

Special education is designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, providing them with personalized instruction and support. Mia mentions having special education support throughout her schooling, which is crucial for her academic success. This keyword is tied to the video's theme of inclusion, as it shows how Mia received the necessary accommodations to participate fully in her education.

💡Speech Therapy

Speech therapy helps individuals improve their communication skills, which can be a challenge for some people with Down Syndrome. Mia mentions receiving speech therapy, which is an example of the extra support she received to help her communicate effectively, an essential aspect of her inclusion in school and social activities.

💡Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals with disabilities to develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Mia's mention of OT in the script illustrates the comprehensive support she received to enhance her functional abilities, which is integral to her being included in various school activities.

💡New York State Test

The New York State Test is a standardized assessment that measures student performance in various subjects. Mia's participation in these tests, with the necessary support, demonstrates her inclusion in the academic expectations of her school, showing that students with disabilities can meet the same standards as their peers when given the appropriate accommodations.

💡Graduation

Graduation signifies the completion of a stage of education. Mia's graduation from sixth grade in a regular classroom is a significant milestone highlighted in the video. It serves as a testament to her academic achievements and the success of inclusive education practices, reinforcing the video's message of the potential of individuals with disabilities when included in mainstream education.

Highlights

Mia Pisani, a student with Down Syndrome, shares her story of inclusion in education.

Mia's goal is to raise awareness about including people with disabilities in society.

Mia's school pictures show her fully integrated with her peers.

Mia's exhibition message emphasizes the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities.

Mia's actions include raising awareness on World Down Syndrome Day and presenting to parents and student teachers.

Mia explains Down Syndrome as having an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.

Mia's parents were informed about her condition before birth and chose to include her in regular education.

Mia's family engaged with other families of children with disabilities to learn and support each other.

Mia started physical therapy at a young age and continued it through dance class.

Mia's brother Luke helped her with physical therapy, showing sibling support.

Mia's preschool team included therapists, teachers, and her family, demonstrating a collaborative approach.

Mia has been included in regular classrooms from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Mia's school experiences include taking the same bus as her neighborhood friends.

Mia had a team of support including speech, OT, and special ed, as well as an assistant.

Mia's academic achievements include meeting her reading and math goals.

Mia took the New York State Test, doing the same work as the rest of her class with help.

Mia was the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate from QUEST in a regular classroom.

Mia is moving on to Middle School with a plan in place for continued inclusion.

Mia hopes her story will inspire others and thanks her supporters for their help.