Category: Understanding
A Time to Grieve, a Time to Learn
During this time of national mourning for the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, we honor the children and staff of the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our hearts, prayers, tears, and hugs go out to all the parents, families, and friends of those who we have lost. The embraces we send them through our hearts say much more than the mere words jotted here.
We also wish to convey our understanding of anyone who may be frightened or upset—and now leery—about anyone who has Asperger’s syndrome or is someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. We offer training and classes to help neuro-typical people understand, in some small way, what it is like for our brothers and sisters on the autism spectrum.
We do not wish anyone to fear or put these children and young adults into one category because of the events of December … Read More »
The Special Needs of Special Needs Parents
Yesterday I was told by my employer that, upon learning that A Special Space Center was becoming a reality, they will terminate my employment on the day the center opens.
So at this time, it appears that my job will end on August 22nd.
This was a very personal and poignant reminder of why I started A Special Space.
Parents of special needs children have a very hard time holding a full-time job. Employers are not aware of and often not interested in the special challenges present in the lives of families with special children.
I have been the HR Professional at my company for 3 1/2 years. During my tenure, I have had my hours cut and been demoted solely due to my son’s autism and the mental and medical care he requires. My story is not unique.
A study, published in the March 19 … Read More »
True Inclusion: Middle School Class Experiences Autism
Today we had the honor of facilitating Experience Autism for a middle school class in West Virginia.
My “Ah Ha!” moment happened at the very beginning of class.
I asked, “Who has heard the word ‘autism’?” Every hand went up.
I asked, “Who knows someone with autism?” Every hand went up.
I asked, “Who can tell me what autism is?” Not one hand went up.
Amazing.
Today we didn’t “raise awareness” about autism. Clearly even 7th graders are aware of it.
No. Today we helped one class understand autism. There is a big difference between the two.
By going through the activities in the experience, these kids were able to actually encounter some of the challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. They dealt with tactile issues. They learned what it was like to need a picture to complete a task when words simply made no sense. They struggled … Read More »
Cameras in the Classrooms
Advocacy isn’t the main purpose of A Special Space. Education for both NTs and those with ASDs is our focus. But after reading one too many stories today about bullying and abuse of special needs children by teachers, advocacy and education have combined.
It’s time to educate my state and the nation about the importance of giving a voice to those who have none. It’s time to advocate for cameras in the classrooms.
Teachers are an amazing gift to our children. They work hard, love our kids, and guide them on their journey in life—most of them. The few that make the news are the ones who are burnt out, stressed out, under-educated, under-supported and have no business in the classroom. They, the few, are hurting our children and giving other teachers a bad name.
For the protection of our children and the teachers, it’s … Read More »
10 Things Parents of a Child with Autism Wish Teachers Knew
Things educators should know about what the parents, not just the child, need.
1) I’m sorry.
I will be saying this to many of you many, many times over the next 10 years. I will say this to you probably weekly, if not more. And I really am. I’m sorry.
I’m sorry because I am the reason you have my child in your class. I fought for him to be mainstreamed because all of the doctors and specialists told me that being in the least restrictive environment among peer models would be best for my son’s development.
I’m sorry because I know that you aren’t trained for this.
