Autism Education: Teach the Teachers
By now you’ve heard about the 8-year-old little girl with autism who was dragged away from her Idaho school in handcuffs after having a melt-down in school. Evelyn wore her favorite cow sweatshirt to school and was told she couldn’t wear it to her Christmas party. Her teachers were tucking the ears and tail in her pants. Teachers told her that she couldn’t attend the Christmas party unless she tucked the cow parts in. Evelyn ran past them. One thing led to another and the teachers grabbed the girl. She started kicking and hitting and spitting at them. And then the police were called. Evelyn’s mom had to pick her up. Not from school. From a juvenile detention center! These teachers obviously have no background in autism education! And it seems to be a growing problem.
This morning, after I write this blog, I have the pleasure of writing a letter of recommendation for a WONDERFUL teacher! Someone who taught my oldest son (who has high functioning autism) and who is currently teaching my son Dylan. When she first taught my oldest son, she had never taught a child with autism. Yet, she was happy to take on the task and wanted to know everything she could about my son. We met and talked. Emailed back and forth. She studied on her own. And went to classes so that she could learn about autism. She is an amazing teacher! One that I am proud to call my friend.
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I’m pretty active in local and state issues in our area. And I hear about most of the children in our area with autism. Thankfully, none of our children have been carried off in handcuffs! That’s because our teachers and behavioral techs are trained. They are taught how to handle children with autism when they melt down. And preferably, before they get to the point of melt down. They would NEVER try to tuck something down a child’s pants! There’s a dress code. Either it is in the IEP or it isn’t. If the child comes to school dressed a certain way, that’s the way they attend a Christmas party. No hand cuffs. No melt downs. No spitting. No police involved.
How many cases will it take? How much bad publicity, before districts like this will actually train and educate their teachers? Children with autism aren’t going anywhere. 1 in 150. 1 in 94 boys. Everyone knows the statistics. Let’s teach the teachers. Autism education is the key to everyone’s success in the classroom…especially the teachers. Let’s prevent another Idaho.
Deb,
I am so glad that there are parents who advocate so passionately for thier children. As a special education teacher, I have worked with students who weren’t so lucky. Many of them had parents who hid their heads in the sand; Some in denial and some in ignorance. By far, the most successful children with Autism are the ones who have parents deeply involved in their lives and particularly, thier education. Cudos to you and I hope your efforts are contagious.
Linda
Linda,
Bless you for being a Special Ed teacher!
It takes a special person to love our children in the classroom. Many parents (and teachers) don’t understand that it takes a partnership to successfully teach our children, whether it be in Special Ed or regular ed. Parents are angry when their children act up in class, storm the school and say “not my child”, yet they won’t get involved.
Thank you for your comments! I look forward to more of your “pearls of wisdom”.
Blessings-
Deb
I have been a special education teacher for almost 15 years. I am now a coordinator in a new district. My first priority was to bring the Autism Resource Team (from the local Area Education Agency) to train all the special education teachers. I would like to expand the training to the entire staff ~ 250 teachers. Our resource team is a great resource, but I’m looking for additional resources, information, and suggestions! Thanks! My Twitter name is Prosuccess. Blessings!