I work with children with Autism.

When I tell people this, I usually get one of four typical reactions--

--Lots and lots of questions. How do I teach them? How do they live? What is Autism?

--A look of pity. It's usually for the kids I work for first and then for me. What a poor life those kids must lead. How can I teach kids who cannot learn? What behaviors do I see?

--The "Oh, what a patient person you must be! I could never work with "those" kids.

--The "Oh man! It must be nice to teach & not worry about standards. I bet there is no paper work in Special Education!".


I dont always get these responses, but I'm quickly learning that the majority of the time, I do. Parents of these children have often told me that their responses are very similar, if not identical.

The questions I do not mind. I actually welcome them, because it means people are trying to be informed about a topic they dont know about but one that is rising in numbers every day. One in every 150 children are being diagnosed with Autism....It's a topic that needs awareness and knowledge and I am always happy to help with that process. If I empower somebody with a little bit of knowledge, they can pass it on and together we can help these children by sharing knowledge.

The pity looks I abhor. Please do not pity myself or the children if you dont know what you are pitying. They have struggles, of course, but who doesn't? Yes, they CAN learn. Yes, they have behaviors but they are working as hard as they can to control them.

The Oh so Patient comment I dont mind, but I hate when they say "those" kids. What KIDS? In my opinion, ANY person who works with ANY kids---typical or not--need a tremendous amount of patience. It's not an each job to teach ANY grade.

People who say there is no paper work or standards in Special Education has never had to write an IEP. Enough said.


But I'm not witting this to complain. I'm witting this to make people aware about what I see the children I work with--and all children diagnosed with Autism---as. I'm going to debunk the major assumptions I come across in my line of work.

----Children diagnosed with Autism dont know how to express emotions other then anger.

Ha! Children diagnosed with Autism know how to express ALL emotions. They know how to give big hugs and kisses. They know how to laugh. They know how to smile. They know how to be happy. They know how to be sad. They know how to be scared. Autism does NOT rob these children of their emotions. It might take them a little longer to get to a point where you can see it on the outside, but they feel everything we do. We have to work a little bit harder to pull them out, but they ARE there. And when you see it, it's AWESOME. You'll never be the same.

--Children diagnosed with Autism dont know how to make eye contact.

Yes, they do. I'm not sure why everybody assumes this, but they can.

--Children diagnosed with Autism dont know how to love.

This goes along with the emotions one and is completely false. YES they CAN and DO love! I can honestly say that I feel completely loved whenever I walk into my classroom or in a therapy room. They are EXCITED to see me AND their PARENTS and they KNOW how to love them. They might express it a little differently, but all people do. One husband may give his wife roses every month and another husband might help with the laundry. Different ways to express love, but it's being expressed in both ways.

--Children diagnosed with Autism always have lots of behavioral problems.

This is NOT always true and I'll counter it with the fact that YES sometimes Children diagnosed with Autsim have behavioral problems...but so do children NOT diagnosed with Autism. It's not just an "autism" thing. It's a KID thing! Yes, they have problems with verbal skills. Yes, they have problems with transitions. Yes, they have problems with new situations. But we can help with that---that's our job. They might have to learn how to handle these things but the important thing is that they CAN learn. We CAN teach them!

There are many more, but I suppose I'll get off my soap box for now. I want to close with a few important fact. If you did not read the rest of these, I hope you read this..

Children diagnosed with Autism are CHILDREN first. They are first and foremost, KIDS. They need everything that your typical kid needs with a little extra help to help them deal with difficulties related to their autism. Their diagnosis DOES NOT define them!! It is NOT all they are about.

It is our job as teachers, parents, and friends to help them. If one thing is not working, try something else. They are NOT unreachable, We just have to find a different way to reach them.

Love them and the will love you. And it's an amazing, awe inspiring, life changing love.