Autism is close to my heart

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2006 : August : 19

Autism is close to my heart
By linda2671

I am a first grade teacher and I also have a 24 year old moderately autistic daughter. I had a problem with inclusion because so many classroom teachers DO NOT want autistic children in their classrooms. Some were wonderful
and taught with their hearts. Others were horrible to her. One of the most important things is to prepare your class for the situation. Then look for compassionate kids who can be buddies. Everything is concrete for autistic kids. I've had autistic kids in my classroom. I give them 3 colored cards to carry with them. I tell them that if they follow the behavior guidelines I set for them,

they get to keep all their cards. If they don't follow the guidelines, they lose a card. If they lose all their cards, they lose a recess. It's funny that they really care more about their cards than they do recess. Concrete things like that really make a difference. I don't know how severely autistic your student is. There are so many degrees and so many manifestations. But it sounds like your heart is in the right place, and you'll do a great job with him.