Go for it!

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Go for it!
By Danyelle

Hi! I teach a K-2 Autistic Support classroom and love it! The regular education staff at my building are wonderful and supportive. But, we have network meetings with the staff of the other autistic support programs in
our district and many aren't so lucky. You might want to do a little investigating to find out about how receptive and supportive the staff and administrator are at the new building. Our district recently changed our elementary AS classrooms to K-2 & 3-5. Because children with autism have such a wide range of ability both socially and academically a K-5 classroom could be a challenge.

Some of my students actually work above grade level in academic areas. So, you might have to juggle 6 or more curriculums in each subject area. But, at the same time it's a whole lot of fun to figure out the key to these guys learning and watch how much they learn. A K-5 classroom may be a little more challenging when your doing an inclusion schedule & providing support to regular ed. Some days my paras are out more than they're in and one of the reason's my regular education staff is supportive is because they feel like they get support when the kids are out there.
Working with paras is always challenging. I have 3 paras. Two that have worked with me for 3 years and one new staff. The first year of our program was a struggle. The district doesn't provide enough training and everybody does things their own way. Our 1st year there were days that we had screaming matches & I guarantee that's not my style. They would flat out refuse to do things, totally do something to set off a kid , because they just didn't understand. And change- forget it! Everytime you change something you have to prepare the staff as much as the kids. But, 3 years later- I love them and couldn't do it without them. But- my new 1:1, that's another story. Let's start all over. And boy are my 2 veteren paras funny... "They just can't believe he does the things he does and hey, doesn't he know anything about autism." I'm going to be out for 2 days for a conference and one of my paras actually said that she hopes our administrator comes in each day to keep them from fighting with each other...The adults- not the kids. So, yeah, they're a challenge. But, I think it's worth it. Autism is really amazing. You'll either love it or hate it. It's more work than my LS classroom was. But, so much more fun!! Good Luck!!