Images(2)

Toy, Educational

Object number2020.10.1

Made by Paula Elder

Datec. 2007

MediumPlastic; Rubber; Adhesive Tape

Credit LineGift of Paula Elder

DescriptionHomemade plastic and rubber sensory toy. There is a black picture frame with a rubber brush inside.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length: 7 × 1 × 5 in. (17.8 × 2.5 × 12.7 cm)
Historical NotesSensory board made by Paula Elder for her daughter Jolene. Paula had to make a lot of her own sensory material for Jolene including this sensory board that was made c. 2007. This was used to further augment Jolene’s tactile exploration and engagement. Jolene Elder was born to Paula and Carl Elder, Jr. on January 27, 1981 in the Banksville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. When Jolene was four months old, Paula took her to a doctor after observing long periods of crying in her daughter that surfaced after a vaccination. Jolene was diagnosed with cortical blindness at this appointment and was referred to the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Here Paula received recommendations for therapeutic practices and positions for Jolene. At 11 months old, Paula took Jolene to the Easter Seals Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. There she was diagnosed with cortical blindness and developmental delays caused by an infant brain stem injury. Paula enrolled Jolene in the infant program at the Easter Seals Center, where she visited her daughter over her lunch breaks. Paula worked for the IRS and made use of a taxi service to safely transport Jolene back and forth from the Easter Seals Center because her chair was outfitted to fold up and serve as a support in the vehicle. At four years old, Jolene began attending Pioneer Education Center, a school for students with exceptionalities within Pittsburgh Public Schools located in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Active throughout Jolene’s time at Pioneer Education Center, Paula regularly participated in school fundraisers, PTA meetings, and other activities. In 1996, Paula began as a substitute at Pioneer. Working five days a week at the school, Paula regularly assisted with self-help care, music activities, movement support, equipment changing, as well as supporting in reading and math. Beginning in 1997, Paula was employed as a paraprofessional at the school. She began working with a class of eight middle-school age students, assisting them in learning letters and numbers in addition to other math fundamentals. She also supported them in their gym, art and computer classes as well. Beginning in 1998, Paula began working with students ranging from five to eight years old. She served these students as a paraprofessional for the next 17 years. In this role she worked with students with Autism and students experiencing emotional difficulties using the TEACCH program. Throughout her career at Pioneer, Paula created customized puzzles and books that were tailored to her students’ learning goals while also tapping into their interests and passions. Throughout the 2000s, Paula would regularly host Pioneer students at her home for meals, to celebrate holidays, and to enjoy the family’s pool. Such visits were feasible because the Elder family home was accessible and outfitted for people with disabilities. The home had a ramp, an adaptive toilet, and toys. In her role as a paraprofessional at Pioneer, Paula continuously tapped into her identity as a mother to passionately advocate for the students in her classroom to teachers and administrators, particularly in instances when the students’ annual Individualized Education Programs were being shaped. Paula retired in the summer of 2019.

Previous owner Jolene Elder (born 1981)

Related institution Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind

Related institution Easter Seals Center

Related institution Pioneer Education Center

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