Beautiful Child Report

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Running head: BEAUTIFUL CHILD
Beautiful Child Report: Module Four
EDSP 3210.021
Sonia Bonavita
University of North Texas

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BEAUTIFUL CHILD
Introduction
With compassion and sensitivity, Beautiful Child takes the reader into a world where
unfailing patience and dogged determination dont always yield tangible results, but where the
few and hard-won victories can be life-changing. [Hayden] describes stories that point to
progress and hope (Chicago Tribune).
Beautiful Child follows Torey Haydens special education classroom. It consists of five
students with varying disabilities. Billy, who has dyslexia and is aggressive. Shane and Zane,
who are twins who have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Jesse who has Tourettes syndrome and
Venus, the focus of the story, who has extreme selective mutism.
The reader follows along as Hayden works with her students and tries to connect with
them on an emotional level. Mainly, we follow the progression of Venus, a seven-year-old girl
who has extreme selective mutism. At the beginning of the story, she is described as almost
catatonic who flies into wild aggression when someone invades her space. Through a variety of
intervention techniques, the reader watches her grow and step out of her shell. We see that small
victories are victories nonetheless.
Background
Selective Mutism is classified as a childhood anxiety disorder. It leaves those affected
unable to speak or communicate effectively in social settings (E. Shipon). They are only able
to communicate when in settings where they feel secure and relaxed (E.Shipon). This disorder
affects 7 in 1000 children, which is almost two times as common as autism (E.Shipon).
Mutism is just one of the many characteristics that children with selective mutism
portray. Other characteristics include, but are not limited to temperamental inhibition, social
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BEAUTIFUL CHILD
anxiety symptoms, social being, physical symptoms, blank appearance, emotional,
developmental delays, Sensory Integration Dysfunction symptoms, Processing
Difficulties/Delays (E. Shipon) and many others. Most children are diagnosed between three
and eight years old, which fits Venus age of seven.
Summarization
The section I chose to cover resides in chapter two. Although early on in the novel, it
resonated with me. The section revolves around Hayden trying to connect and diagnose Venus.
She tries a variety of methods to relate to child, but all seem to fail. She tries to convince the her
to draw and read, but Venus has zero interest in participating. Hayden goes through a variety of
techniques that she had learned from prior experiences with students who did not speak, but all
fail.
The reason I chose this passage is because it made me so uncomfortable. There are many
sections throughout the novel that demonstrate the same level of uneasiness, but this was the first
time it was written about. Venus utter lack of communication and interest create a sense of
hopelessness that I can never begin to imagine feels like. You can feel how much Hayden is
trying to connect, but it is not working. With that being said, I do not necessarily agree with her
approach to this. Multiple times she forcibly makes Venus sit down or moves her head. I
understand why she does this, but this was her first meeting with this child. She had no idea how
Venus was going to react. We are taught in class to never put our hands on a child, even if it is
just to sit them down. I understand that things may be different in a special education classroom,
it is just something I am not used to.

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Intervention
Hayden used a variety of intervention methods throughout Beautiful Child, most of which
I hope to implement in my future classroom. For example, in the beginning of the novel the
students can participate in nonverbal communication. Eventually, communication is encouraged
and because they had the time to get adjusted to their environment it was a much smoother
process than it could have been. This technique benefited Venus the most because of her
selective mutism. If she would have been pushed more to speak and interact with the other
students and teachers, her anxiety would have just inflamed. It would have caused her to
emotionally atrophy even more.
Another technique that Hayden used was home visits. This is a very important part of
being successful teacher particularly to students who do have special needs or home life issues.
The reader can tell from the start of the story that something is going on at Venus home life.
Putting aside what is going on with her emotionally and mentally, she is described as unkempt
and dirty. These are classic warning signs of some issue at home. I will absolutely be using home
visits in my future classroom, not only with students I have concerns about, but my students in
general. If I can understand what they are going through and what their home life consists of, I
can become a better teacher for them.
Finally, Hayden used a technique that essentially paired quiet students with more vocal
and outgoing students. While I do see how this could work and the reasoning behind it, I am not
sure if it is something I will actively use in my classroom. My reasoning behind this is because I
was a very shy child. I did not like to interact with many students and was content being on my
own. If I had been paired with a student who was vastly different than myself, it would have
made me shut out the world even more. I would have been uncomfortable and unhappy. While I
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understand that this is drastically different than the situation in novel, it still applies. That being
said, I am not discounting it entirely. It truly depends on the mentality and personality of my
future students.
Conclusion
Beautiful Child is wonderful novel that showcases the hardship that teachers go through
when trying to connect to their students. Its raw emotion and honest portrayal of a special
education classroom is beneficial for anyone to read, but in particular a future teacher. Not every
day is going to be easy, in fact most days are going to be hard, but it worth it to make a
difference in just one childs life.

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Reference
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A.
(2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Edmundson, M. (2002, Aug. 5). Recalling a special student, a special teacher.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-08-18/entertainment/0208170120_1_venus-
classroom-special-teacher
Hayden, T. (2002). Beautiful child. New York: Avon Books.
Shipon-Blum, E. (2017). What is Selective Mutism?

http://selectivemutismcenter.org/whatisselectivemutism/

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1

Running head: BEAUTIFUL CHILD

Beautiful Child Report: Module Four

University of North Texas

progress and hope (Chicago Tribune).

victories are victories nonetheless.

Selective Mutism is classified as a childhood anxiety disorder. It leaves those affected

developmental delays, Sensory Integration Dysfunction symptoms, Processing

and eight years old, which fits Venus age of seven.

it is just something I am not used to.

students can participate in nonverbal communication. Eventually, communication is encouraged

emotionally atrophy even more.

can become a better teacher for them.

difference in just one childs life.

Edmundson, M. (2002, Aug. 5). Recalling a special student, a special teacher.

Hayden, T. (2002). Beautiful child. New York: Avon Books.

Shipon-Blum, E. (2017). What is Selective Mutism?

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