In just a few weeks, I'll begin a journey, teaching a small group of children. Teaching is something I've wanted to do my whole life, but this particular classroom will stretch me and challenge me like no other class I have taught before. These four students, four boys, are autistic. Three are not potty trained. One only screeches, while another constantly tells you to shut up. They are not effective communicators by any means, running, screaming, knocking everything over in a fit of rage that I do not understand.
I actually had the opportunity to teach summer school with this group, and over a period of four weeks I got to know the boys that would be in my care. Tim likes to write on a dry erase board, spelling out the names of actors, movies, and tv shows. When you do something he doesn't like, he throws a fit that makes my two year old seem tame. He's not a small boy, built very solid, and he will scratch and dig his nails into your arms or feet if he thinks that will make you budge. Jay is full of energy, bouncing around the room and the trampoline. He melts down when his mother brings him to school and has trouble listening when he has his mind set on something. He can speak, but not conversationally, although he does know his colors, letters, and numbers. He took his too small shoes off every day, and eventually started to strip down to his pull up as if it were a game. He can urinate in a toilet, but will consistently poo in his pull up. Eli is a small boy with clothes that rarely fit. We were constantly pulling up his pants, even though his mother sent a safety pin for us to use. He wouldn't wash his hands in the bathroom because of the fan, and would walk in the room so upset that he would scream and throw everything off of my desk. He is a climber, and you couldn't turn your back without him climbing onto the tables and shelves. He likes the weighted blanket, and may have poor eyesight. He enjoys swinging while I sing softly to him, and by the end of four weeks he began to repeat our words. I'm not sure that he every spoke much before. Terry is also very small, and he says nothing, only screeching and wailing occasionally. He wandered around the room, and when working one-on-one, would try to direct my hands to finish a task. He likes to hold a small beanie baby and shake it, swing, and sit on your lap. While very sweet natured, he did get very upset one day when we went to the gym before going home and screamed and attacked me. I think he's been babied long enough, and I hope that this year we'll be able to get him to come out of his shell.
All four of the boys have many issues aside from autism...lead poisoning, poverty, asthma...the list is endless. They live in homes that may want the best for them, but don't know how to seek the help they really need to overcome the many obstacles that they will continue to face. For five years, my classroom was run by someone who didn't necessarily understand the needs of these students. I'm not a miracle worker, nor am I an expert on autism. I have obtained several books that will help me through this journey, knowing that I cannot always rely on the help of other staff members. Everyone has their own agenda, and it could be to my detriment to appear too needy. Although not my first choice, I am putting my all into this job, even if it is only for a year or two. These children need a good teacher, and I feel that I was offered the position for a reason. I hope that this blog will provide an outlet for me, a way that I can share this special world with anyone willing to peek in. In the coming weeks, as I get into my room and begin preparing for this journey, I hope to share pictures of my room and the tasks that I create for my students. I hope you will be inspired and better understand the world of autism.
