Hi aurea,
Yeah, I know what you mean about the school not totally understanding. I think one of the difficult things for teachers who have not had a lot to do with autism, is that the spectrum is so wide that they almost can't get their head around the fact that every kid is different. For example, a special needs kid in a wheelchair is going to be pretty much the same as another child in a wheelchair; a kid with a hearing/sight problem will have similar issues to another kid with the same problem . . . but when it comes to Asperger's, while there are common AS traits, these traits can manifest themselves completely differently to others. Teachers who are not really well-acquainted with AS, just see autism in the one "box" of the more extreme cases, and if it is just that your child is quiet and has issues then they don't really get it. They don't necessarily get that it is a way of being and thinking. I am hoping that more education of teachers in these areas will make it easier for our AS children. I am a teacher myself, and would love to have a role in educating teachers about AS children and how to cater for them. (Maybe I could start with your school, if they'd pay me the overseas air fare!! ! Hah! Hah!)
18 Apr 2008, 2:16 am
