Questions about autistic students...

I have an honest inquiry that I'd like to bring up here for advice on how to deal with a situation in one of my classes. Today was the first day of the new semester, and I discovered that one of the students has autism. I had a feeling about this by the way the student would blurt things out - nothing rude or anything, but it was definitely noticeable the more it happened (at least to me).

I also happened to notice certain behaviors that reminded me of how an autistic child behaved. When I asked the person who was with him, which happened to be his mother, also enrolled in the class, she said to me, "it would probably be easier for you to make an adjustment than him." I could see where she was coming from, but it leaves me wondering if I should stay in the class. And even though I was polite, she still seemed a little oversensitive about me asking her.

I don't so much have an issue with sharing the learning environment with anyone who has learning challenges, but I do have an issue with common courtesies such as not raising one's hand before speaking and other things like that. I plan to try a different seat in the next class, so that this student won't be so much in my periphery.

So I have a few questions:

a) if it gets too distracting, should this student and his mom/helper be asked to do something to alter or counter the student's behavior (if this is possible)?

b) does anyone know some things to tell me about how to work in an environment with an autistic person?

c) other students in the class are prone to speaking out of turn - should it just be a general request I ask the teacher to make about people using common courtesy?

I am asking these questions genuinely, because this is the first time I've been in a class with an autistic student. My personality type, though it may not always seem that way on here, is generally that I am willing to make concessions so that everyone is as happy as possible, and at the same time, I would like to be one of those made happy; I also know I have the right to expect a conducive learning environment.

Orgers, what are your thoughts?

Autistic people have trouble (to varying degrees) understanding what is socially normal. Being told, explicitly, what the rules are in specific contexts, will work for some people. But he's not intentionally being rude, and it's not his fault.

Understand that other potentially distracting behaviors (some autistic people engage in repetitive physical movements and such. . . "stimming") are essentially out of his control. Or, maybe better to say, they're coping mechanisms, and necessary for his learning.


That student aside, the fact that you prefer a more rigid setting, where people raise their hands to speak and such, doesn't make it the right way to be. I prefer classes that are more informal, where people might feel free to speak up without raising their hands. Neither of us is right, you know?

The reality is, we none of us get a world tailored to our needs. We're not entitled to that. The autistic guy isn't, and you're not. But ideally, everybody can state their preferences, and people can try to respect and accommodate each other as much as possible.

thanks for sharing. I realize those movement aren't in his control, and I also know it's not intentional. And his mom was there correcting him when he got loud was a good sign. I can thrive in an informal setting, sure thing, but I also know that there must be some structure, even in the distractions. I learned this when I taught Bible study and writing workshops of my own. And being that this class is about transforming autobiography into creative writing, things are bound to get quite chaotic (perhaps the overall possibility of being around so many others who might act like I do when I write is what's really challenging me, not this situation at all.)

I guess what I could consider is that if things were to get over the top in this regard, that the teacher will handle the situation. He seems a strong personality, so maybe there's not so much to worry about. And I did catch observing him a couple times, and thinking, "he could be the key to the class." And for his sake more than mine, that would be worth showing tolerance.

tackam said:

Autism is mercury poisoning in disguise. It's terrible really that the medical profession ignore this, hey is it because they're responsible?!

WildheartXXX said:

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

To answer the question, if it makes you that uncomfortable, then leave. God help us if we learn a little tolerance for those who are different that us.

I cannot begin to list all the times I've gotten looks from people because of my son's behaviors in public. I've gone as far as telling some people: what the fuck are you looking at? or returning the long stares they give him.

I used to hide him away to prevent other people's good times from being interrupted. It is only by being more inclusive will he learn to be more "normal".

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

Vendetta1 said:

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

This is not very nice, I realize, but it bothers me sometimes.

I live right next to a school for Autistic children. This is good, in a sense, for the children.

However, when they go outside, which is most of the day if it's sunny out, they scream, yell, and blurt out strange things REPETITIVELY all day long...

I understand that I'm supposed to be sympathetic, and I am to a point, but I'm just one of those people who is easily irritated by repetitive sounds.It does grate on your nerves because they very loudly scream at high pitch over and over again, or moan loudly continously. One of them has the most maniacal laugh I've ever heard. I can't help but chuckle. I know that's not nice and that they can't help it...so I hope that no one gets their panties all bunched up over what I'm writing. I can't help how I feel.

Vendetta1 said:

it's a great opportunity to learn patience and compassion. ask yourself if you would feel differently if the person had a physical ailment that created a special situation in class.

friends of my brother's have withdrawn from him lately, after he went through a manic phase (he's bipolar). it can be hard to deal with, but the rejection a person with a disorder feels is far worse than our temporary discomfort.

just my

GetAwayFromMe said:

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

Teacher said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

This is not very nice, I realize, but it bothers me sometimes.

I live right next to a school for Autistic children. This is good, in a sense, for the children.

However, when they go outside, which is most of the day if it's sunny out, they scream, yell, and blurt out strange things REPETITIVELY all day long...

I understand that I'm supposed to be sympathetic, and I am to a point, but I'm just one of those people who is easily irritated by repetitive sounds.It does grate on your nerves because they very loudly scream at high pitch over and over again, or moan loudly continously. One of them has the most maniacal laugh I've ever heard. I can't help but chuckle. I know that's not nice and that they can't help it...so I hope that no one gets their panties all bunched up over what I'm writing. I can't help how I feel.

You can't help it? You know what - when they're outside, go over and get to know some of them... that'll change your mind, if you have one.

GetAwayFromMe said:

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

GetAwayFromMe said:

Teacher said:

You can't help it? You know what - when they're outside, go over and get to know some of them... that'll change your mind, if you have one.

I typically ignore, but there are times when I find myself irritated by it. I know!!! I'm a horrible person. Compassion has never been my strong suit. I'm a flawed person!

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

Teacher said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

Teacher said:

Obviously. Much more so if you're afraid to get to know some autistic people personally.

Hey! Don't be a dick. I forgot that you're perfect. We're all flawed in some way or another.

It's not that I'm afraid, I just want some peace and quiet at times, and it's nearly impossible.

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

Teacher said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

Hey! Don't be a dick. I forgot that you're perfect. We're all flawed in some way or another.

It's not that I'm afraid, I just want some peace and quiet at times, and it's nearly impossible.

I'm not perfect, obviously... since I don't like people who think like you when it comes to things like these. Buy some earplugs or move.

GetAwayFromMe said:

Teacher said:

I'm not perfect, obviously... since I don't like people who think like you when it comes to things like these. Buy some earplugs or move.

You sure are onery...I can't move.

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

Teacher said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

You sure are onery...I can't move.

Then buy some earplugs cos the kids are obviously gonna be there.

GetAwayFromMe said:

Teacher said:

Then buy some earplugs cos the kids are obviously gonna be there.

I realize there's nothing that I can do, but can't I just complain here about it without being chastized? I was going to look up the noise ordinance in this town, but I realize that they are a protected class. Oh well.

Welcome to the world, my nephew - Mio http://prince.org/msg/100/322798

Hockey season underway!

Vendetta1 said:

Theres loads of evidence to support the whole vaccine/mercury connection. Just ask all the parents who have joined the dots. Of course all the funded research is going to come back negative. Imagine the lawsuits. My nephew is autistic and he was fine before his vaccines now hes autistic. The medical profession doesn't give a shit.

Jenny McCarthy has had a similar thing happening to her son. She's trying to lift the lid and get people talking about it, shes ruffling some feathers.

There maybe different types of autism but the huge increase in diagnoses lies with the increase of vaccinations. That cannot be disputed.
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tackam said:

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

WildheartXXX said:

Vendetta1 said:

GetAwayFromMe said:

This is not very nice, I realize, but it bothers me sometimes.

I live right next to a school for Autistic children. This is good, in a sense, for the children.

However, when they go outside, which is most of the day if it's sunny out, they scream, yell, and blurt out strange things REPETITIVELY all day long...

I understand that I'm supposed to be sympathetic, and I am to a point, but I'm just one of those people who is easily irritated by repetitive sounds.It does grate on your nerves because they very loudly scream at high pitch over and over again, or moan loudly continously. One of them has the most maniacal laugh I've ever heard. I can't help but chuckle. I know that's not nice and that they can't help it...so I hope that no one gets their panties all bunched up over what I'm writing. I can't help how I feel.

No I don't hate you. I have had my son for 18 years. The noise he makes used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore. It takes getting used to and my son has taught me patience and compassion.

whether or not it causes autism, why in the world is there mercury in vaccines to begin with?

IrresistibleB1tch said:

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

tackam said:

tackam said: