♥ Love experience
When I was working at a kindergarten, I had a boy with autism in my class. I did not know what to expect of him as it was also my first working experience. The only encounter I had had previously with children with autism was in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and that alone was not enough to equip me for what I was about to face. My four months with the class taught me not only techniques of handling children with autism, but enlightened me as well. In the classroom, I was not the only teacher. We shared that role- Wilson* and I.
It is true what they say. There were days that Wilson would make a fuss about certain things not done his way. Everything had to be the same as the day before. Tuesdays and Fridays were the usual days on which his screaming would get somewhat extreme. My display boards would get torn down, erasers chewed, toys spoilt, doors slammed and colour pencil markings would appear everywhere on the walls.
After two months, Wilson's mother was called in to the office. The very next day, she started attending lessons with Wilson. That helped to alleviate the issue as Wilson had personal attention. As his class teacher, I still had the responsibility of ensuring that he was playing safely. He got better and better. His self-confidence was growing daily.
As I continued encouraging Wilson, his classmates were quick to catch on. They started helping him put on his shoes, they offered to feed him during meal times, and even wanted to bring Wilson back home. On the fifth of May, Wilson made it through the gym maze all by himself. The entire class celebrated with him.
And once again, it is true what they say. Wilson might act up sometimes. In fact, I am sure he is screaming in class now because it is a Friday. However, Wilson has taught me things I would never learn elsewhere or from anyone else.
*Name changed to hide identity.
It is true what they say. There were days that Wilson would make a fuss about certain things not done his way. Everything had to be the same as the day before. Tuesdays and Fridays were the usual days on which his screaming would get somewhat extreme. My display boards would get torn down, erasers chewed, toys spoilt, doors slammed and colour pencil markings would appear everywhere on the walls.
After two months, Wilson's mother was called in to the office. The very next day, she started attending lessons with Wilson. That helped to alleviate the issue as Wilson had personal attention. As his class teacher, I still had the responsibility of ensuring that he was playing safely. He got better and better. His self-confidence was growing daily.
As I continued encouraging Wilson, his classmates were quick to catch on. They started helping him put on his shoes, they offered to feed him during meal times, and even wanted to bring Wilson back home. On the fifth of May, Wilson made it through the gym maze all by himself. The entire class celebrated with him.
And once again, it is true what they say. Wilson might act up sometimes. In fact, I am sure he is screaming in class now because it is a Friday. However, Wilson has taught me things I would never learn elsewhere or from anyone else.
*Name changed to hide identity.