Lyle Torrant Center

Sarah E. Russell

JC Family Nursing II
 During my clinical experience at Lyle Torrant I worked in the young adolescents

classroom, SXIII. The classroom diagnosis was predominantly cerebral palsy. Two of the

children with cerebral palsy were also born very premature so their retinas were not completely

formed causing partial blindness both of these children were able to ambulate with partial

assistance. Being premature, they never developed the ability to suck so they were exclusively

tube feed. Only one of the children was able to speak, her vocabulary was limited to about six

words. The other four children were full care. One child had a stroke at the age of two that left

her completely incapacitated.

The staff in classroom SXIII had Laurie- LPN, Donna the para-professional and Cindy

the substitute for Elizabeth the regular staff teacher. Laurie the LPN greeted each of the children

first thing she would touch them on the head or hand and make sure they knew it was her and a

safe place. The staff all pitched in with morning care of making sure the children were taken to

the bathroom, briefs changed, and drinks of water given weather by cup or tube upon arrival to

school. One thing Laurie always did that I thought was wonderful, when she was talking about a

student to either myself or someone else in the room she would make sure to tell the student that

she was going to be talking about them. I think while working with special needs children, that

courtesy would often be overlooked. The staff explained the need to position the children in

different positions throughout the day and showed us that each child had their own chairs to meet

their individual needs. The music therapist Mrs. Tomoko brought instruments in for the children

to play giving each of them individual attention and then singing while the class played maracas

together. The children loved it. Mrs. Tomoko was very patient and gave praise to each child

individually when they followed directions. It was amazing to see the positive response on their

faces to the music.

 The World Health Organization recognizes that children born with neurological disorders

benefit from early intervention. The goal is autonomy through rehabilitation (Dua, et al, 2006, p.

7). What left an impact on me where the services provided by Lyle Torrent implementing this

practice by offering well-rounded rehabilitation from birth to the age of 26. I am thoroughly

impressed with the facility and collaboration of the staff. The staff members at Lyle Torrent

have a huge responsibility to keep the children who are extremely vulnerable safe. They work

hard to provide a caring environment that not only gives the children an opportunity to learn and

play but also rehabilitate for a quality of life that without continuing care they would not achieve.

References:

Dua, T., Janca, A. et al. (2006). Public Health Principles and Neurological Disorders. In World

Health Organization (Ed.), World Health Organization Neurological Disorders: Public

health challenges (pp. 7). Geneva, Switzerland. WHO.

Wonderful write up Sarah!! I am especially intrigued by your observations of Laurie

holding the hands of the children or using therapeutic touch in her care. The most interesting

notation I feel that you made is how she lets the child know why shes talking about him/her to

you before she does so. This action goes all the way back to our lessons of development in

receptive communication and expressive communication. Children can certainly be way more in-

tune to our conversations than we give credit just as youve highlighted. Im sure the childrens

fears were minimized by knowing she was simply teaching you and that she wasnt talking about

them because something was wrong how amazingly client-centered is her care.
 I am so happy to hear of this subtle observation on your part while in the

classroom. The fact that you were able to call this out in your writings, I think while

working with special needs children, that courtesy would often be overlooked. lets me

know that in future situations of your own nursing care, you will be able to provide this

very same intervention for others ~ its not hard to get caught up in the activities of

providing care and forget basic comfort needs such as good communication practices. I

truly believe this is a care tool in your toolkit that will make you a better nurse, as you

will never forget this intervention and the impact it has.

Im so thankful and proud of your care of the children at the center this week

Sarah. You demonstrate the critical thinking growth I expect to see in all 3rd level

students by giving your all during a clinical event and taking every opportunity, no matter

how challenging, and making the very most of it for your learning. FANTASTIC WORK

MY FRIEND!!!