From a blog entry I found (yes I'm working on vacation - LOL)
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From a blog entry I found (yes I'm working on vacation - LOL)
What Do You Want Schools & Teachers to Know about Autism?
When my son was first diagnosed, I felt like no one could see the child that I saw in my son. He was so intelligent but no one seemed to see it. Maybe it is a parent's blind love or never ending hope, but I knew my son was special and not because he had autism. He is special because he is a smart, caring, loving little boy who deserves my infinite hope. As the school year began, it made me think about what people, especially those at school, should know about autism and my son. Since my situation is not unique, I asked some autism moms what they wanted the schools and teachers to know about autism and their children. (Thanks to the smart autism parents who wrote me back!)
What we want schools and teachers to know about our kids with autism: My son is NOT the diagnosis. He may have autism, but he is first and foremost a child. He is a child with needs and fears and likes and interests and a desire to succeed just like neurotypical children. Remember to always look beyond the diagnosis and to see the beautiful, loving child that I see every day. Learn my child’s strengths. Hear how he learns best from my perspective so you don't reinvent the wheel and can tweak it. Understand my child’s weaknesses and what distracts him from learning. Know that my child’s behavior improves most rapidly with praise and rewards, rather than reprimands. I am looking at my son’s entire future not just this meeting. So when I scrutinize the details, I am not just trying to be difficult. I need to know that everything we do today will positively affect my son's long term outcome. Don’t underestimate my son’s intelligence just because he has autism. He may learn differently but he does learn. Just because my child does not know how to interact with other children, that does not mean he does not want to interact or care about friendship. If you teach a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, please read Tony Atwood’s book: Aspergers Syndrome A Guide for Parents and Professionals. There is no way that I could just name "One" thing that my son needs. He needs sooooo much, as they all do!
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Posted 3/26/09 12:28 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name: D
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Re: From a blog entry I found (yes I'm working on vacation - LOL)
Thanks for sharing this
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Posted 3/26/09 12:32 PM |
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