International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2013, Vol. 9(2) 34-44

Progressive Education as Continuing Education for the Developmentally Disabled

Leslie Kuhn Boedicker

pp. 34 - 44   |  Manu. Number: ijpe.2013.020

Published online: June 15, 2013  |   Number of Views: 41  |  Number of Download: 333


Abstract

The need for progressive education is prevalent in one of the most underserved portions of the population: the adult developmentally disabled. Though John Dewey wrote little on the education of the disabled, his philosophy, and that of Mahatma Gandhi‘s, lend themselves to the further education of this unique segment of society. In this paper, I will be looking at developmentally disabled adults, specifically autistic individuals, living in group homes. It is the goal of developmentally developed group homes to advance the education of its residents so that they may eventually leave the home as competent, independent members of society. However, the education they are usually given is not tailored to their individual needs, reinforced through everyday activities, or provided in a manner respecting the individuals as people and not as objects.  I will be discussing Gandhi‘s concepts of Basic Education as it   can relate to the developmentally disabled and Kiyo Kitahara's use of Daily Life Therapy in the education of the autistic. I will examine the current system of learning in one specific group home and how Gandhi's and Kitahara's concepts of education can be used to improve the learning abilities of these individuals -- to allow them to move from institutionalized life to a fuller, more productive role in society.

Keywords: Progressive Education, Continuing Education, Developmentally Disabled


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Boedicker, L.K. (2013). Progressive Education as Continuing Education for the Developmentally Disabled . International Journal of Progressive Education, 9(2), 34-44.

Harvard
Boedicker, L. (2013). Progressive Education as Continuing Education for the Developmentally Disabled . International Journal of Progressive Education, 9(2), pp. 34-44.

Chicago 16th edition
Boedicker, Leslie Kuhn (2013). "Progressive Education as Continuing Education for the Developmentally Disabled ". International Journal of Progressive Education 9 (2):34-44.

References
  1. Bhattacharya, A. (2010). Education for the People: Concepts of Grundtvig, Tagore, Gandhi and Freire. Rotterdam: Sense. "Boston Higashi School: Services - Services Available." Boston Higashi School: Services - Services Available. 08 Jan. 2013. [Google Scholar]
  2. Brown, R. (2008). Adult Education and Intellectual and Allied Developmental Disabilities. International Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation. Availability: Online . [Google Scholar]
  3. Danforth, S. (2008). John Dewey‘S Contributions To An Educational Philosophy Of Intellectual Disability. Educational Theory 58 (1): 45-62. [Google Scholar]
  4. Dehury, D. (2006). Mahatma Gandhi‘s Contribution to Education." Orissa Review Sept.-Oct. 2006: 11-15. . [Google Scholar]
  5. Dewey, J. (1940). Education Today. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. [Google Scholar]
  6. Dial, J. G., McCarron, L. T., Freemon, L. & Swearingen, S. (1979). Predictive Validation of the Abbreviated McCarron-Dial Evaluation System. Vocational Evaluation Ad Work Adjustment Bulletin Spring 1979: . [Google Scholar]
  7. "Institute for Complementary Practices Fact Sheet." Teachers College Columbia University (2004): Retrieved May 15, 2012 from http://cms.tc.columbia.edu/i/a/922_higashi.pdf [Google Scholar]
  8. Jencks, C. (1988). "Whom Must We Treat Equally for Educational Opportunity to Be Equal?" Ethics 98(3): 518. [Google Scholar]
  9. Kitahara, K. (1983). A Method of Educating Autistic Children: Daily Life Therapy, Principles and Methods of Daily Life Therapy. Vol. 1. Boston: Nimrod. [Google Scholar]
  10. Kitahara, K. (1983). A Method of Educating Autistic Children: Daily Life Therapy, Records of Actual Education of Autistic Children. Vol. 2. Boston: Nimrod. [Google Scholar]
  11. Kitahara, K. (1983). A Method of Educating Autistic Children: Daily Life Therapy, Daily Life Physical Education for Autistic Children. Vol. 3. Boston: Nimrod, 1983 [Google Scholar]
  12. Kumar, A. (2004). Philosophical Trends, Theories of Educational Intervention and Adult Learning. 43-54. Availability: Online . [Google Scholar]
  13. Todd, L. (2009). Disabilities and Educational Opportunity: A Deweyan Approach. Transactions of the Charles S. Pierce Society 45.2 . [Google Scholar]
  14. "McCarron-Dial Evaluation System (MDS) (2009). Texas Guide for Effective Teaching Transitional and Vocational Assessment 8 . [Google Scholar]
  15. Ramanathan, G. (1969). Education from Dewey to Gandhi. The Theory of Basic Education. London: Asia House. [Google Scholar]
  16. Richards, G. (2001). Gandhi's Philosophy of Education. New Delhi: Oxford UP. [Google Scholar]