Working with Autistic children...

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Does anyone here have any experience that they would like to share regarding working with autistic children? I haven't done any research regarding this, yet, but I will research this thoroughly, before proceeding with any work in this area. I just wanted to read first-hand accounts and maybe get some inside info. on how to be prepared, if I decide to work with autistic children. I currently have no experience in this area. To be honest, it has not been in my original plans at all, when I decided to get my Master's degree.

Working as a special needs teacher is something that only called to me as of last night. I was thinking that I might need to work with special needs children before ruling it out completely. The pay is the same as regular teaching jobs, according to my last professor, but the need is so great.

I have almost no time to correspond, but I would really appreciate any information or first-hand experiences shared. Thank you!

[SeaKev 0]

Speak w/ Acme.

[GravityJunky 0]

Boy did you post this in the right place, if you need advice on working & dealing with 'special needs' Children, Just ask the greenies how they deal with all of us everyday!

*My Inner Child is A Fucking Prick Too!
*Everyones entitled to be stupid but you are abusing the priviledge
*Well I'd love to stay & chat, But youre a total Bitch! {Stewie}

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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Speak w/ Acme.

Yes, I know that Jaye's twins are autistic, and I'm sure that she'll write.

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[livendive 8]

There were two very cool videos on cnn.com yesterday about an autistic woman who communicates through a voice synthesizer. She's got a great vocabulary and types ~120 wpm. I'd link it if I knew how, but I don't. Just search around (I think in the health section) and you'll find it. It's well worth watching.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[aggie04 0]

I teach special ed and it is TOUGH and often you are not given much credit...but it is so rewarding to to see kids people think can do so little succeed in so many ways. I'll send you more info

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A life without a cause
is a life without an effect

[skinnyshrek 0]

watch rainman all you need to know...lol My mum works with autistic kids and adults. You need the patience of a saint. She had plenty of experience with me. But if your self centred in any way and get annoyed easily then autism will be a challenge. When i lived in the Uk some of the stuff they do is incredible. Each one has a unique intelligence. If you find that then it helps.....Man i am posting serious ok back to steveorinos thread.lol

http://www.skydivethefarm.com

do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

[kbordson 8]

When I was in college, I spent Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings working with a 8 year old autistic boy. We were trying to help him with motor skills. He was usually a happy ... but when he was having a bad day, it took A LOT of paitence.

I have a lot of respect for those that work with special needs children. It's a challenging profession that doesn't always give the "warm fuzzy" thank yous that make such sacrifice more meaningful

[mikempb 0]

I worked yrs ago in that field.For three yrs I worked in a group home. At first I took the job because of the good hrs. I remember my first day working thinking this is a mistake looking directly at one of the "clients" and being turned off. Well it took some time, not much maybe a few weeks to a month and everything started to turn around... long story short I think about those guys all the time and many have passed on and to this day I tell them I love them in my prayers.. Its hard work I wont lie but its soo gratifying!!!!!!!!!! Good luck

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[sunshine 2]

When i worked in social services i wan an office manager, not a teacher. But we did have a special preschool just for 2yr olds with special needs. I would spend lots of time in preschool just playing with the kids since it was hard for the teacher and her asst to handle 8 kids on their own. There is such a broad spectrum of autism and no 2 kids are the same.

Be prepared for the child to not pay attention to you, to be mean to you, kick you, bite you etc. Some of them do that, not on purpose, but they just don't know any better. Some of absolute angels just trapped in their own world and unable to communicate with the "outside" world. Sometimes just getting a hug from the child is enough to know you made a difference. I know that personally i couldn't be a teacher (it's just not me), but the days i felt like helping out were very rewarding and i'm glad i did it.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[ACMESkydiver 0]

"It's worth it. If you're strong enough."
-Tommy Lee Jones, Men in Black




Well, you know about my boys.

Some things you may want to consider (these are some things I tell new caregivers):

Just like someone said above...when they are happy, there's no purer joy. When they aren't, well. Autistics can be frustrating, challenging, difficult, and run you ragged. They sometimes pinch or headbutt when they are upset.

Many Autistics do not have toileting skills. This is the part that drives many would-be caregivers/teachers away. I clean up messes 2-3 times per day if I don't have a second set of eyes here to help. (I get to post on dz.com when they are at school, in the same room or asleep ).

Many Autistics are very interested in smell. My boys smell peoples' hair, skin, and clothes to understand who they are. they also like to smell inanimate objects like toys, food, wood...pretty much anything. They have strong attachments or aversions to smells, and many times not what you'd think. Some things that would stink to us smell good to them, and vice versa.

Tactile needs are VERY important to most Autistics. They need to feel things with their hands, feet, foreheads sometimes...many times where a touch will do for us, they need MORE pressure. They slap, pound, stomp. they need deeper pressure...a pat on the back is nice for us, they need deep pressure massage to know that you are connecting. -And sometimes, just the reverse -they don't want any touch at all. That's part of what makes working with them so challenging...they are not ALWAYS consistent, as 'Rain Man'. You kind of have to, for lack of a better term, 'sense' their moods if they are non-verbal. You have to pick up on non-verbal cues -the way he's tilting his head, the tones he's singing, his repetitve behaviors (flapping his hands more? Rocking more? Spinning more?) to try to know how you have to take care of the child.


1/2 Autistics (these are old stats) don't speak and 'never will' medical professionals say. My boys are 9 and are non-verbal. The important thing about that, is even if they don't speak, even if somebody tells you not to bother, NEVER STOP TRYING TO COMMUNICATE. I put my boys in their harnesses on the bus this morning like I always do...I kiss them and say, "kisses. Have a good day."

Today, Derick said, "YOU TOO". The bus driver heard it, too. We were amazed. I called everyone!

Never give up on an Autistic...it is never too late.

You'll most likely need to learn some basic sign language if you haven't already. Many Autistics use sign expressively if they can't speak...mine use 'please', 'eat', 'more', and 'baby'. They understand many more -lots of Autistic kids have been taught some receptive sign language as spoken language can be difficult. Many use interactive communication devices (I think Dave mentioned them above).


Once you get 'inside' an Autistic's world, you form a bond that you will never experience with anyone else.

Their love is precious because it is so hard for a stranger to gain; at least for many of them. If you do, it will be worth it. A hug from an Autistic child will melt you.
My beautimous Auttie Derick is kissing my arm over and over trying to get my attention; I need to get off the computer before he starts banging the keyboard.
Good luck. Only you can decide if you're strong enough for that big of a challenge. I sure hope you go for it. We need more good people looking after the 1 in 150 kids that will suffer from this...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[Broke 0]

The problem with Autism is that there are so many different variants and levels of Autism it is really hard to classify.

The only Autistic patent I have transported was a child with bilateral femur fractures home. It was very difficult to communicate with him, but the again I only spent about a half an hour with this child, if I had more time I could have learned to communicate better with him. He was cute

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[skinnyshrek 0]

another thing is when an autistic person trusts you and likes you the bond is awesome. my mum has clients that no one else can handle because they just want my mum to look after them. PATIENCE is the keyword. She also looks after downsyndrome.
i am sure you have lots of patience acme.

http://www.skydivethefarm.com

do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

I sent a reference to you on your myspace who will be a great help...she is a mom of an autistic child and can give much help

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[ACMESkydiver 0]

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i am sure you have lots of patience acme.

-and that's the irony of it all.


I think God gave me the twins to try to learn patience...


Ro I know a lot of special education teachers -if there is any question you have in particular, from an educator's stand point, by all means get a hold of me. I will forward it on.

You have my email addy.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[MF42 0]

Never actually "worked" with autistic people, not in the sense of being employed, but I did grow up with an autistic younger brother.

ACME hit all the most important points, I think. This job could be a beautifully life changing experience; what in this world is a better reward for such hard work than close, personal human contact where it seems impossible? That's the payoff, the best possible outcome. On the other hand, do not take this job unless you're prepared for the worst possible scenario: your students will be violent, disgusting, and will never display one iota of appreciation for you or your efforts. Lacking so many communication skills that we take for granted, many autistics never display any clear outward evidence of what they're feeling and learning.

My brother is 28 years old, and will always be a child. I love him as intensely as a brother can. In those 28 years, he has let me know precisely three times that he likes me. Three times. Patience.

Are you honestly capable of that kind of patience? If so, then you might be able to do some good with the job, and I wish you luck.

ACME!!! That is fantastic news about your boy talking!!

Matt

[NWFlyer 2]

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Today, Derick said, "YOU TOO". The bus driver heard it, too. We were amazed. I called everyone!

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[peregrinerose 0]

Are you going to be working only with autistic children or special needs children as a whole? Those are two entirely different ballgames just because there's a lot more to special needs than just autism.

My sister-in-law is a special ed teacher in Pittsburgh, I can give you her contact information if you are interested.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda