| School can often be an intimidating place for just | | | | made available in the class, then it is not effective |
| about anybody. But it is on the playgrounds and | | | | for anyone - not the teacher, nor the students, |
| classrooms of our schools where we learn many | | | | and ultimately not the autistic child. In Quebec |
| life skills. Part of life's journey is learning how to | | | | schools, for example, both trained childcare |
| cope with the unfamiliar.One of the most daunting | | | | workers - special education technicians - and |
| issues for children with autism is how to interact | | | | attendants with no special training, are |
| with classmates - unfamiliar territory that can | | | | simultaneously taking care of autistic children. |
| prove overwhelming for all involved. While public | | | | "Attendants tend to use a 'baby-sitting' approach |
| awareness for autism has increased, | | | | to their jobs, thus children don't advance as much |
| understanding autism on a human level remains a | | | | as they could. In contrast, a special education |
| work in progress.Autism is a neurological disorder | | | | technician will essentially treat the child as a regular |
| with a wide range of symptoms that often leaves | | | | member of the class and encourage |
| educators and parents alike confused by its | | | | independence," says Patrick Lortie, a child-care |
| mysterious nature. Understanding the nature of | | | | worker with the English Montreal School Board. |
| autism can go a long way to alleviating some of | | | | This leads to a lack of consistency from one |
| the frustration felt. Despite efforts, it isn't always | | | | childcare worker to the next.For instance, it is |
| easy.There's nothing worse than getting a phone | | | | entirely possible that a child with special needs |
| call from a school teacher asking you to go pick | | | | gets the proper care from a SET one year, and a |
| up your child because they were out of control. | | | | different exposure with a less trained attendant. |
| Many times I felt helpless. I often cried myself to | | | | With two different approaches and no |
| sleep thinking I failed him," explained Mary | | | | comprehensive plan it leads to ineffective |
| DeMauro, whose son lives with the disorder. | | | | education. The problem is further compounded |
| Eventually Matthew was prescribed Ritalin to help | | | | when there is a lack of communication between |
| him keep focused in class, but this did not solve | | | | the teacher and childcare worker in the classroom. |
| his problems. School was still having a negative | | | | Mr. Lortie further added how frustrating it can be |
| impact on him. "They bug me a lot on the bus. I | | | | when a childcare worker is not treated as an |
| know I'm different."Early diagnosis is crucial to the | | | | equal, but more as, "help in the back of the |
| development of children with autism. If a specialist | | | | classroom." This can lead to a strained relationship, |
| determines that a child has autism, it is believed | | | | which can ultimately affect the child. Everyone has |
| that interaction in a normal social setting can go a | | | | to work together in order to obtain the best |
| long way to helping a child open up. Indeed, | | | | approach to meeting the child's needs.It is only fair |
| initiatives have been undertaken to integrate kids | | | | to point out that integrated classes are in their |
| with autism in regular classrooms. What have | | | | infancy stage and growing pains were bound to |
| been the results so far?According to Tania Piperni, | | | | happen. Still, there are already positive and |
| Autism Special Disorder consultant at the English | | | | rewarding signs. "I've seen what integration can |
| Montreal School Board, it's not the kids from | | | | do. In an environment with proper collaboration, |
| regular classes that have been a source of | | | | which I am in this year, two of my autistic |
| frustration, but the lack of proper resources. "It | | | | students have made advances beyond anyone's |
| has become a normal and learned behavior for | | | | expectations. This is incredibly rewarding, above all |
| students to be helpful with kids with special needs. | | | | for the parents." Ms. Youakim agrees. "My |
| However, sometimes out resources need to be | | | | students are always quick to help out and offer |
| pooled more towards supporting and assisting the | | | | praise for any successes disadvantaged students |
| adults such as teachers and educators. Providing | | | | have. It really is amazing to witness the wisdom |
| them with general information about autism and | | | | and maturity children can show at times.""We |
| visual learning styles can be most helpful." Jennifer | | | | stuck by Matthew. We ploughed ahead. Now |
| Youakim, an elementary school teacher from the | | | | we're beginning to see positive changes in him. He |
| EMSB, further adds, "Never underestimate the | | | | still needs medication for other related problems, |
| power of empathy and compassion among | | | | but we are all learning to cope with it," as the |
| children. They have a natural sense of | | | | gleam in Ms. DeMauro's eye lit up. Integrating |
| understanding when confronted with special | | | | children with autism in mainstream classes is a |
| circumstances." Ms. Piperni views the experiment | | | | challenging and important concept. Once again, as |
| in a positive light. "I believe that the results of | | | | adults get lost in the shuffle of analysis, it is our |
| integration are working nicely for many of our | | | | children that are teaching us precious life lessons. |
| students."Some educators are not as comfortable | | | | The question is whether we are |
| with integration, and must therefore be taught | | | | listening.Alessandro Nicolo is a freelance fiction and |
| strategies on how to deal with special needs | | | | non-fiction writer, essayist, satirist and |
| students. Parents haven't always been all that | | | | commentator. Strong on content ideas, his articles |
| accommodating either. "Raising a child with a | | | | have a historical flair while keeping itself firmly |
| neurological disorder is difficult enough, but having | | | | rooted in the present. A former investment |
| to face indifferent parents only makes it harder. | | | | advisor and presently self-employed, Mr. Nicolo |
| No amount of explanation will suffice for some, | | | | and his History educated background offers a |
| unfortunately. They just don't want their kids in | | | | unique and sometimes humorous perspective on |
| the same classroom with autistic kids," says Maria | | | | several issues and topics in North American |
| DeMauro.Are parents' fears justified? Yes and no. | | | | society. |
| If the proper support and resources are not | | | | |