Autism Adventure

After 18 years in working with exceptional children, I'm on a new adventure! I am currently at Southland Elementary over an Autism Unit in Jordan School District and am loving it. I have worked with a few Autistic students in the past but now I have 10 and they are all mine!

Each one of them is unique, smart, bright and beautiful, they are my teachers now. My goal for them as well as all students is to have the skills to be independent adults. This means for these student to be mainstreamed as much as possible, it benefits all children. The students with disabilities have the right to have access to curriculum, students and school activities with their regular ed. peers. For the student who is considered regular ed., it benefits them to find that there are differences all around us. All of us have strengths and weakness and both need to be acknowledged must be explored. How many of us special educators have worked with students classified with a disability that have a higher IQ than we do?

So as I continue on this path I will research and seek for BEST practice methods and curriculum....and empty my cup.

May 28th 2011
Wow what an incredible year, we are never to old learn that's for sure. During this 2010-11 school year I have laughed, cried, ducked, been frustrated (mad), disappointed, disgusted (usually not the students), confused but, most of all have loved these students and their parents. The parents spend their hearts and souls for their child; they have to advocate for them from the moment of awareness. Most people do not know that children on the spectrum do not have healthy sleeping patterns, so many of these parents go without a good night's sleep indefinitely. The other thing about spectrum children is many think they do not have emotions or feelings that can be hurt. This is so not correct. These kiddos want friends, inclusion, love and the desire to be understood. And they give unconditionally the love and the friendship and yes can be hurt. They are so honest its like having a mirror held up the entire time your around them....literally too; "Ms. J you are really old ...have you looked in a mirror?" it makes me laugh!