Make the affirmation positive Keep the language short, simple and clear. Use a visual to support the written affirmation (e.g. picture to support the meaning of the text or a calming down picture) Find a place to relax and read out your affirmations. Repeat the affirmations several times every day (e.g. in the morning, midday and afternoon). Ways to store the affirmations: Write them on index cards which can be carried around. the written affirmations in a special box. Create an affirmation or collage that is placed on the wall. Write the affirmations in the front of the student’s diary or journal. Hence, being able to bounce back is not about making the problem disappear, instead it is about improving the way the student approaches and responds to the problem. On the next page are lists of affirmations that have been used by various students SOCIAL AFFIRMATIONS HEALTH AFFIRMATIONS EMOTIONAL AFFIRMATIONS SELF CONFIDENCE AFFIRMATIONS I am friendly. I am helpful. I am a good listener. I express myself clearly. People do care about me I am valued for being me I make friends easily. I have lots of friends who love me. I play well with others. I am healthy. I am strong. I love my body. I eat healthy food I enjoy exercising. I take good care of my body. I like the way I look The way I look is OK I am loved. I am a loving boy/girl. I am beautiful, inside and outside. I feel calm and relaxed. I love who I am. I choose how I feel by the way I think and talk. I feel I can stay calm under pressure. I always have a choice. I am a positive person and am not affected by the negative words and attitudes of others. I now decide to create positive thoughts. I am beautiful. I am important I believe I can do it I trust myself It is OK to make mistakes I will learn from my mistakes To make a mistake is the way I will learn I am a loving boy/girl. I am good at… riding my bike, science. I am a good reader. I am a fast learner. I am smart. I am full of good ideas. I am very creative. I am a good influence on others.
Being misunderstood Being ostracized Neglect Negative beliefs and attitude towards them Physical barriers such as lack of access ramps, reliance on others to access people and networks and limited transportation choices can act as further obstacles to achieving connectedness. Also it is important to remember that relationships between students with and/or without disabilities are not formed by simply grouping them together. It takes effort to help students with disability establish connections. Without supports, assistance and facilitation, the student may not have the opportunity to fit into networks and build relationships. HOW CAN WE HELP THE STUDENT WITH DISABILITY HOW TO ACHIEVE CONNECTEDNESS? While it is not possible to force the student into a relationship or a network, it is possible to create opportunities for the student that encourages the development of such connections. As a teacher you can guide the student to make and maintain these connections by setting up a ‘Circle of Connections’ Circle of Connections is a support structure that aims to provide opportunities, support and encouragement to the student to make connections. It is made up of a group of students who are intentionally invited to come together in friendship to support the student with disability, so that their dreams of being connected have a better chance of becoming a reality. The students in this circle offer emotional and practical support in a planned way so that the student with disability can make changes in their life. Once the students who would like to assist the student with disability have been identified (called ‘social helpers’), set a meeting time where you can begin the program. As a group discuss with all the invited students the importance of friendships and what it would be like not to have friends. Inform them you will be starting a program called Circle of Connections. This program will assist students who would like to make connections, but for a number of reasons are finding it difficult. Draw 3 concentric circles as shown below to guide the discussion. Instead of circles you could use a different shape e.g. rectangle, square etc.