Spring Break
Students help those in need improve their handwriting
By: Jarrod Bogan
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
A group of Texas A&M students at Mays Business School, in collaboration with a few special education majors, had a dilemma about what to do for their class project.
Taking a more altruistic approach, they decided to teach students with Down syndrome how to improve their handwriting skills, said Alyssa Probst, a freshman marketing major who was involved in the project.
The students taught a class that included 13 students ages three to 12. The students - 11 with Down syndrome and two with autism - were taught basic handwriting skills.
"Each of us came out with a whole different perspective and learned that skills that we take for granted don't come as easily to some people," Probst said. "It was amazing."
The students went about this task by collaborating with the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan-College Station and its President Christie Knight. The goal of the organization is to enlighten the public while promoting a positive understanding of Down syndrome and to provide a system of support to families and individuals affected by Down syndrome.
The Down syndrome support group was started after Knight had a son four years ago that had Down syndrome. She began looking for support in the area but could not find one. Knight said that could not find one. Knight said she assumed the worst after finding out about her child's condition.
One day, she heard a speaker on the A&M campus named Ben. Ben had Down syndrome, yet he was married. His wife also had Down syndrome, but they still managed to live on their own.
"After hearing the speech, I called my husband and said to him, our son is getting married," Knight said. "I was motivated by the speech."
She then set about organizing the Down Syndrome Support Group.
Knight said she wanted the group to serve as a resource for parents so they would know what to expect when dealing with a child with Down syndrome or other disabilities.
"I've always been a firm believer of education and know it is a big part of everyone's life," Knight said. "Eventually (the children) move out of the house and live on their own."
Taking a more altruistic approach, they decided to teach students with Down syndrome how to improve their handwriting skills, said Alyssa Probst, a freshman marketing major who was involved in the project.
The students taught a class that included 13 students ages three to 12. The students - 11 with Down syndrome and two with autism - were taught basic handwriting skills.
"Each of us came out with a whole different perspective and learned that skills that we take for granted don't come as easily to some people," Probst said. "It was amazing."
The students went about this task by collaborating with the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan-College Station and its President Christie Knight. The goal of the organization is to enlighten the public while promoting a positive understanding of Down syndrome and to provide a system of support to families and individuals affected by Down syndrome.
The Down syndrome support group was started after Knight had a son four years ago that had Down syndrome. She began looking for support in the area but could not find one. Knight said that could not find one. Knight said she assumed the worst after finding out about her child's condition.
One day, she heard a speaker on the A&M campus named Ben. Ben had Down syndrome, yet he was married. His wife also had Down syndrome, but they still managed to live on their own.
"After hearing the speech, I called my husband and said to him, our son is getting married," Knight said. "I was motivated by the speech."
She then set about organizing the Down Syndrome Support Group.
Knight said she wanted the group to serve as a resource for parents so they would know what to expect when dealing with a child with Down syndrome or other disabilities.
"I've always been a firm believer of education and know it is a big part of everyone's life," Knight said. "Eventually (the children) move out of the house and live on their own."
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