An Issue about autism and aides

[Guest guest]

I am in accord with about autism and the necessity for an aide. I

discovered that my son doesn't plan his activities very well and gets frustrated

unless someone is there to help him order his life. We are talking about the

word called " structure " that an aide provides.

In a classroom the higher level individuals might do OK if there is a special

education person assisting the teacher. However, the more severe individual

doesn't cope well without someone structuring every minute. That is why my son

had difficulty learning to work. The help would be there and he would do fine

and then when it was pulled out from under him then he would just stand there

waiting for direction.

I knew a child with Aspergers who needed an aide just to walk across the hall at

school when directed by the teacher to take something to another teacher. He

would wander about the school trying to find the place he was supposed to go

even though he was shown by the teacher where to take the material.

Martha