Aiding a child with autistim

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There have been a few times where I've subbed for aide who works with an autistic child. I suspect the child is actually an aspie as he is really high functioning.

The teacher is always surprised at how frequently and how loudly he talks while I'm there (One of his IEP goals is to speak in class). Apparently its louder and more frequent than when his regular aide is present. I think being an aspie makes me better able to relate to him so I know when to encourage him. Immediately upon meeting him I could tell he was afraid of speaking too loudly, so I told him he was allowed to yell - which is why he uses his voice at a normal level when I'm there, as opposed to a whisper. I also told him that he wouldn't get in trouble if he spoke too loud, because I was the one who told him to yell. I've also realized that he usually doesn't know he can volunteer if the teacher doesn't say "Raise your hand." so I'll whisper to him "If you know the answer, raise your hand and she might call on you." The teacher is surprised at how willing he is to participate while I'm there. I also know the importance of reinforcing that something may or may not happen, rather than saying it will. As a result, I don't disappoint him by telling him something like "the teacher will call on you if you raise your hand" which keeps him happier throughout the day

The down side is that being an aspie, I probably zone out as much as he does, so i miss some of the teachers instructions. These are instructions i'm supposed to be paying attention to, so I can help him. I hav eenough experience, and he's young enough that I can usually figure out what I missed on my own, but not always. I love working with him. I do so well with autistic children, even ones further along on the spectrum. And I'm quite certain thats because I'm an aspie. I love it when I get called into the life skills room - most there have autism. Every other sub I know hates it. I wouldn't be disapointed if I found I needed to go there everyday. There so much easier to relate to, teach, and control then the typical classroom full of NTs (of course, I'm the only one I know of in the school system who would say that, but then hey, I might be the only aspie too)

I'm an aspie too, and I'm planning on working with the spectrum upon graduating. I'm in grad school, pursuing an M.A. in Music Therapy.

I volunteered with an autistic child at a day camp when i was in high school for my mandatory volunteer hours and it might not have been the best thing. i had my own inhibitions and i didn't really know about asperger's then, so it was hard to help him. had i known how similar we were (although he was much more severe) i would have been able to help a lot more. i'd like to help some kids like that again though, i think i'll be a lot better now that i know more about them and am older and wiser.