Zoom Autism Magazine Issue 9 | Page 36

I was in graduate school ... plan for a future, for opportunity, respect special interests and allow us to use those to fulfill curriculum goals (i.e., trains and math-multiplying mileage and cars and food consumed during traveling). Intervene as soon as bullying appears. One grade I had a class angel, who I later called my peer angel. Pair students together. Remember kindergarten? Strength in numbers? Include, include, include. In sixth grade my teacher saw that not only was I picked last, I was often not even picked. He taught me how to hold and swing a baseball bat. Fifty years and I still celebrate running to first base.” ~ CarolAnn Acorn “The teachers that truly care about helping a child close gaps - their future changes for the better. But it takes a special teacher who is passionate about making a difference in that child’s life. They are the equivalent of heart surgeons in the medical field.” ~ Diana Lewkowicz “As a person with Asperger’s Syndrome, I have been able to connect with children on the autism spectrum through Boost! Summer Program, an activity group for children on the autism spectrum. As can be attested by the teacher of the group, a child really likes me. Also, a parent told me that her child really likes me. These children feel comfortable with me. I see myself as a role model to these kids. I truly enjoy this experience.” ~Jessica “For my children on the spectrum: They are capable of more than you know. They may not always arrive at the answers traditionally, but they do arrive. Thank you to the teachers that embrace this truth and accommodate for it. Blessedly, more of you have been that way than not. And for myself: I was not merely shy or clumsy. My mind worked in a different way than any of us could put a name to. I may have gotten by quite well academically, but there were struggles socially, emotionally, and physi- 36 ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses cally speaking, where further attention was warranted. More than the praise for the A’s, I needed someone to notice I was friendless, selfconscious of my motor skills, and often drowning in depression. But what’s done is done. It’s all water under the bridge, and I’m glad to say that I am coming into my own now and raising autistic beauties. Recently recognizing autism in myself is truly helping in doing so.” ~ Marisa Ulrich if it takes multiple times showing me. I know I don’t always look like I am listening, but I am. Most of all, I am thankful that you have faith in me to succeed and that I am worth your time, energy, love, and understanding.” ~ Debra Gomez WANTED “On behalf of a child ... I need to see something from all 180 degrees before I recognize it in new contexts, but you might not realize it because I sound like I understand. A new context = need someone to help me make that explicit connection. Otherwise, I might get it, I might misapply it, or I might miss it entirely.” ~ Kelly Warriner Smith “My autistic twins are 4, so I’m just starting this school adventure. But if I had any real hope for their future teachers, it’d be that they truly believed in them. My kids are little geniuses, trapped in bodies they sometimes can’t control. If you really get to know them, their likes/dislikes, and join them in learning/playing, they’ll blow your mind. Patience, awareness, understanding, and love are all necessary for a solid relationship, and you have to form a relationship to get them to open up.” ~ Michelle Parker “He matters! He is not a textbook anything, and his individuality needs to be respected and cherished! Also, he doesn’t need to learn slang to fit in!” ~Davona Wilson SUZANNE “BEANE” CHANESMAN FOR CREATIVE & DETAIL-ORIENTED DESIGN TM “Dear teachers ... thank you for everything you do. I may not know how to show you I appreciate the patience and creativity you provide every day, but it’s working. Thank you for believing in me and knowing that I can do it, even www.beanedesign.com [email protected] ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses 37