Myths and Magic

As I speak to my special parents, I encounter many myths, especially about Autism. Recently ABC News recently published 10 Myths About Autism. These include:

• There is an epidemic of Autism (I believe, as do the experts, that we are having some increase through better diagnosis, and even some over-diagnosis.)
• Autism can be cured (If you're "cured", you probably didn't have it to begin with.)
• Autism is the result of cold and unfeeling parents (Probably the most untrue of the bunch!)
• Individuals with Autism always have hidden or exceptional talents (OK, this one I agree with, but I think all my students have hidden talents!)
• Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors should be stopped (Not always, depends on the behavior and the situation--I pop my neck when I'm tense, and I'm sure you have some repetitive or ritualistic behaviors you do when not in public.)
• Individuals with Autism are unable to build social relationships (Most of my students have at least a few friends, and one screening method I've used in the past is to see if new kiddos seek out the other students with Autism during lunch. Social, but still tells us a lot!)
• Autistic individuals are a danger to society. (No, but those who spread hate are. This is my pick for stupidest myth!)

Others I've been asked:

• If my child is diagnosed with Autism, are you going to put him in the Autism class? (Students who are being successful shouldn't be moved--diagnosis doesn't drive placement, and most schools don't have separate classes based on disabilities.)
• Where did he get it? (Always tempted to answer "Santa!" or "From a Crackerjack box!", but getting fired would be bad. Real answer--born that way!)
• Should I vaccinate my kids? (Can't give medical answers because I'm not a doctor. But all mine were vaccinated.)

But, at this time of year, myths have to give way to magic. I've encountered many students in the past who had never given anyone a Christmas gift that wasn't provided by a parent. After much thought, my students decided they would spend more time thinking about giving than getting. They are giving gift certificates to their parents for various acts of service. This is difficult for any teens, but especially for those on the spectrum. They have to think about what their parents would most enjoy, then sacrifice their time to provide it.

All in all, this experience has turned out to be a little gift for me.

Perspectives

I was feeling sorry for myself today because my family has been hit financially like so many in these tough economic times.

But I waited with a parent while her child went through some extensive testing. We worked through a questionnaire, then visited as we observed her little one through the one-way glass. She, like most mothers, is very worried. Her child doesn't act or speak like most peers. She paid for an outside evaluation (I wish those people would tell parents they can get testing for free from their school district, and that we can't by law accept evaluations done by one person and not a team), and was desperate to have some answers. You could feel the waves of worry coming off her.

As we sat, I was able to reassure her that the team in the other room would do a thorough job. She was able to see how kindly they treated her child. Following the evaluation, we were able to share some recommendations that would be implemented in the classroom, and things she could do at home. She left feeling better than when she came.

I've sat with other parents in similar situations. One lost her job minutes before we met, yet was able to put that aside and focus on her child. Others have frequent visits to the emergency room with their medically fragile offspring.

Somehow financial problems don't seem all that bad.

Save the Nurses!

I was very disturbed to read at an article from the Arizona Republic that school nurses are becoming victims of budget cuts across the country, sometimes limited to one nurse per 1,200 students!

The school nurse at the elementary school I attended (yes, we did keep dinosaurs as classroom pets!) was only there alternate days. During one particularly warm afternoon, I played several games of volleyball. I then drank water like a camel. I didn't even make it back to the classroom. I ran for the office, where I promptly upchucked all over the longsuffering secretary. She stood me over the sink in the nurse's office, and called my mother. The nurse was at another school that day.

While there probably wasn't much she could have done for me, I would have felt much better emotionally if the adult taking care of me wasn't also having to answer the telephone and usher students in to see the principal.

Many years later, one of my students was having a hilarious day. He was laughing so hard he almost fell out of his seat on more than one occasion. As I was trying to get him back on task, I smelled his breath and realized he needed to be rushed to the nurse because he was having an insulin reaction. As we were walking down the hall, he decided to repeatedly stick a safety pin through his ear. Without a nurse on site, we probably would have had to call an ambulance.

I've had students overmedicated on prescriptions, others that decided to bring their parent's prescriptions to school to share with their friends, girls with pregnancy scares, and a host of others. It brought great comfort to me to know our wonderful school nurse was only a telephone call away.

The educational aspect shouldn't be overlooked. My own children sneeze into their elbows rather than their hands because they were taught by a school nurse. Others learn hygiene and self care they would not have been taught at home. For some, this may be the only health care they receive.

The school staff is also kept healthy through ongoing education, blood pressure checks and other vital services, even "Biggest Loser" contests to help us achieve a healthy weight!

If your school board is considering budget cuts (and almost all are in these tough economic times), look carefully to make sure your children's health is not becoming endangered.

Read the article at: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/11/02/20081102ednurses1102.html

Happy & Sad Halloween

Nearly all children are excited when holidays come around, and Halloween is especially fun because it's aimed at the child in all of us.

One child I worked especially closely with today seemed rather sad. He watched in envy as the kindergarteners paraded their costumes around to the soundtrack of parental applause and flashbulbs. We had to stop our activities because this was so distracting. It seemed to be more than regular attention problems.

He told me that he wouldn't be trick or treating this year because "we can't afford it". I felt badly that no adult in his family was able to pull together some sort of costume and at least take him to one of the many churches, stores, or community gatherings in the area where he could participate in some type of fun.

Perhaps the adults in his life are too focused on earning enough money to stay afloat, have health challenges, other children who are struggling, or struggle with life in general. There may be many reasons we don't understand.

I felt for him, and for every child who comes to school without adequate food and clothing, has no one to help them with their homework, are being beaten, or used in inappropriate ways.

My first year of teaching I was told "Remember, you can't take them all home to raise." I repeat that to myself often. I still remember several children from that year.

One girl who came to school in the same unwashed clothing every day, which the nurse would kindly wash as the child wore clothing from the lost & found. Her hair was also washed at school. Her mother was a prostitute, and this child got herself up in the mornings alone. She would often tell me, "My mother didn't come home last night." I would wonder if she were in jail, or dead. We called Child Protective Services, but the family disappeared the day before they came to interview her. I often wonder about this child who had no learning disabilities, but had huge gaps in her education because she was rarely in school.

Another boy who stuttered, and kept saying, "My father's in . . . in. . . in . . .", which I anticipated would be followed by the name of another city or state, but turned out to be "incarcerated". I soon learned that if you know the word "incarcerated", and your 3rd grade or younger, your family has had a lot of experience with the justice system. And usually not in a good way.

Another girl who had been adopted following years of abuse. She was healing from severe emotional and physical problems. I hope she's better now.

All teachers have taken their turn providing life's necessities for their students. But, unfortunately, despite our desires to impact the lives of our students, we can't take care of them all.

And that weighs heavy on our hearts. Often for years.

Done!

Many of my students are in a hurry to finish their work so they can do the extra activities I have around the room (puzzles, educational games, etc.). They would rush through an assignment, then wave it in the air, shouting, "DONE! DONE! DONE!".

I was pretty frustrated. They were making careless errors, disturbing others still working, and upsetting a few who also wanted to be DONE, DONE, DONE!

Then, a flash of genius hit. I would put reminders on their desks to be quiet! I wrote the word DONE! and put the red circle with a line across the word. I laminated these small signs and taped them to the desks. I was excited to have a calmer, quieter classroom.

Soooo....they again raced through their spelling, then peeled the signs off their desks and frantically waved them in the air. Silent, but still disturbing. Back to the drawing board!

Just Starting Out!

Special Education is my passion. I took a long time deciding what to do with my life, and working with children with special needs has turned out to be more rewarding than I could have imagined! Each day is different, with challenges, rewards, and trials no one could have forseen.

After many years, I still make new discoveries every day. I frequently end the day either laughing so hard I can't stand up, or with lumps in my throat and heart.

This is your official invitation to come along for the ride. Experience the adventure! We'll explore the wonder and wisdom of these children.

If you have or work with children with special needs, please send me your stories. I'll publish them anonymously. You'll be surprised how others who work with these kiddos can relate!