"What would Jesus do?" That's the universal challenge found on bumper stickers, lanyards, bracelets and bulletin boards. The Catholic school principal ponders this question while preparing to interview the family of a child with special needs. The principal's concern is "Can we really serve this child? Can our school staff minister to this family and together provide a Christian environment and academic preparedness for this child?"

The queries are many and varied. Parents and grandparents of children who are physically, emotionally, or mentally challenged; hearing or visually impaired; dyslexic; hyperactive; or suffering from attention deficit or the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome come to our schools with a burning desire to give their loved ones the gift of a Catholic education. The principal and teachers are willing, the parents are eager; the students are excited, yet anxiety abounds. "What would Jesus do?"

Most often the initial interview starts with prayer - a petition for enlightenment, guidance, and hope. For example, it could be Mark 10:13-14. "People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples scolded them, but when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs'."

The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fresno invite families to apply for admission irrespective of any special need. The principal or school counselor will discuss the need with the family and identify appropriate accommodations. The scope of the discussion will involve learning issues, separation issues, and adaptation to peers and the learning environment.

Our school personnel have identified students with processing deficits, mood disorders, impulse control disorders, and mobility issues. If a student has a physical disability, extra time is provided for moving around campus, and, if necessary, extended absences are allowed before the student incurs a loss of credit. At one of our schools, a special bathroom has been modified to meet the physical limitations of students.

For conditions such as emotional and mental illnesses, the principal notifies teachers and requests that they be alert to warning signs and be sensitive to a student's emotional needs. At a physician's request, students are permitted to have self-monitored "time out" and immediate access to the counseling office. Typically, accommodations and modifications will include extended deadlines for assignments and testing in a less stressful environment.

For students with learning disabilities, special accommodations include testing in a less distracting environment with extended time and front-center seating in the classroom. There is access to teacher or peer notes, a word processor for essay-type questions; breaking assignments down into smaller parts, oral testing, and more comprehensive and detailed study guides. At some schools, a part-time counselor, tutor, or reading specialist is available for students and families.

In addition to the on-site service plan, school administrators work with the local public school service provider to further assist students with comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, referral resources, and curriculum adaptation.

Short of a miracle, the educators of the Diocese of Fresno think that this is what Jesus would do. We encourage families to contact us to discuss a service plan for any student with special needs. We recognize parents as the primary educators of their children. We believe all parents want only the best in resources for their children. That's what we want, too. Working together we strive to teach as Jesus taught, to prepare our students to live happy and useful lives as Christian members of society.

Patricia A. Bailey
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Fresno