Re: The awareness of autism among children

[Guest guest]

I so agree with your statement below - it is beautiful and true. My son's

preschool teacher and the other parents of NT kiddos in his class always tell me

that he has given them far more than they have given him - compassion,

understanding, tolerance, and kindness. I firmly believe that we need to keep

these children together, not segregated in different schools - if they grow up

together and learn to understand one another, their adult lives have to be so

much more enriched by these experiences...public schools are not perfect, not

supporting SB 1000 does not equate with thinking they are doing a great job -

but there are some exciting initiaives taking place -11 special education bills

- including an Autism Insurance bill for non-Erissa plans - the new language in

the TEA amendment that came out yesterday is very promising...

We need to get TEA more accountable for the implementation of federal law, we

need continuum of alternative placements that are further developed and

effective, we need more money to do all this...but we have the attention of our

State Legistators now and even promises for further work in the interim session

-- lets seize this opportunity to make Texas' special education opportunities

effective and available for all children....

OK - Thanks for listening...I just loved the post below...

abhudson2007 wrote:

Reading the seriousness of the posts relating to legislation, and

feeling the weight of an upcoming annual ARD, knowing that not

everyone at the table has the expectation and hope that I have for my

son....I remembered this conversation at Walgreens a few weeks ago...

My 9 year old son, Q, has autism and spends part of the day in

general ed. One of his classmates spots him in the store and speaks,

Q smiles and quietly walks away. My youngest son, age 6, asks, " How

do you know my brother? " The classmate explains, " He's in my class

at **** Elementary. " They exchanged a couple more comments, but as

the classmate was leaving with his mother, he said, " I bet it's a lot

of fun having Q as a brother. You must play with him all the time. "

He could have focused on many negative aspects, but he did not.

One great part of inclusion at the schools is the involvement

children, who generally have no exposure to autism, begin to relate

to our children within the context of just plain human interaction.

Q is always stopped by a student in the mall, grocery, etc. by

someone whose life he has touched...with no words!

I have come to appreciate his courage and resilience; and I have come

to truly appreciate the tolerance and acceptance he has found in the

general ed. population.

It has not been perfect and I still have deep concerns regarding his

program and instructional approach(curriculum, methodology, etc,

etc., but public schools reach into something a little more human.

If autism is going to follow Q throughout his life, it should also

impact the people he is going to live among; starting now.