Success StoryChallenging developmental disabled youth



Challenging developmental disabled youth

Author: Nola Janeen Tramble

Planning Unit: Crittenden County CES

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Youth as Successful Citizens

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Cooperative extension programs are to serve all Kentuckians.  However, there isn’t a lot of opportunity for students with developmental disabilities. A Trigg County volunteer changed that. After coming to the Trigg county 4-H agent with his idea for the Challenge Me Club, we met with the Trigg County high school special education teacher to plan a weeklong program.  The goal of the program was for the developmentally disables students (Buddies) to explore, reflect and apply learning processes.Peer mentors will develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship and many other desirable traits to be a responsible citizen at school and their community.  Each day we focused on some aspect of agriculture. Throughout the week, students got to hold, lead and interact with a variety of animals, including horses, rabbits, goats and chickens. Developmentally challenged students worked with teen peer mentor to set daily goals and to successfully complete their task.  We spent 3 days at a local horse farm. They identified breeds and colors and measured their horse.  They groomed the horses and prepared them for riding. On day 3 they rode their horses.  Only 2 of the club members were familiar with horses at the beginning of the program.Everyone rode a horse that day.Day 4, the members rotated to stations learning about rabbits, goats and chickens. They showed goats, rabbits and chicken and milked a dairy goat. Day 5, the members identified real and fake dairy products, decorated pots and planted flowers. The week ended in a reception for family and community members. The potted plants were sold and the money returned to the club.   Everyone indicated they has tried something new and were more familiar with agriculture.  One of the brothers of a member said “I have seen such a difference in him this week.He hated in agriculture classes at school, but each day he came home excited and telling me what he learned that day.  He has so much more confidence because of what he has achieved.”  One student said “I had never ridden a horse before. I had never even seen one up close before.” A peer mentor said “I’ve learned how to be patient and compromise this week.” “I’ve also learned how to go slower and that you can always learn more.” The service project for the week was painting a board used in the horse shows. The plans are to have an ongoing challenge me club. A total of 9 Buddies, 10 peer tutors and 12 adults were involved in the program.








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