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:

They ignore it because it would mean a massive lawsuit from autistic kids' parents.

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".

Vendetta1 said:

It's building up though isn't it? I mean, like the class action suits against tobacco companies etc... it WILL come.
I read an article by a Swedish doctor who said that the mercury thing is one of the most plausibel explanations to the vast differences in the number of diagnosed cases around the world, but that it doesn't cover all of it (which I don't think either). It was interesting.

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:

Oh god, don't hate me.

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:

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.

Teacher said:

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!

GetAwayFromMe said:

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.

GetAwayFromMe said:

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

Teacher 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.

GetAwayFromMe 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.

Teacher said:

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

GetAwayFromMe said:

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

Teacher said:

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.

GetAwayFromMe said:

If you have a question about autistic students, ask away. If not, go get some earplugs.

Right now I miss my Asperger's kid who can cut any time given in years/days/months/hours into seconds in the blink of an eye, and who wants to create an artificial brain cos he knows his is flawed.

Vendetta1 said:

Vaccines do NOT cause autism. This theory was never supported by any weight of evidence and has been widely discredited. Continuing to perpetuate isn't helping anybody. And it's hurting the kids who die of the measles because their parents were too scared to vaccinate them.

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.
[Edited 1/15/09 11:49am]
[Edited 1/15/09 11:50am]
[Edited 1/15/09 11:52am]

tackam said:

There is a case headed to the Supreme Court that has found evidence that vaccines caused a little girl's autism. It doesn't make me a lick of difference what caused it: I'm not lookig to benefit or sue anyone if it turns out that's what happened to my son, but finding what caused it, finds what will cure it.

WildheartXXX said:

The lack of basic understanding of science indicated in that post astounds me.

Parents "connecting the dots" does NOT indicate a connection. Young children are vaccinated multiple times. Autism often frequently has a sudden onset, or a 'tipping point' where it becomes obvious to the parent. By random chance, a certain number of children will have that onset occur shortly after being vaccinated. That does NOT mean that the vaccine caused it! If young children routinely had blue smiley faces drawn on their shoulders with Sharpies, we'd have parents claiming that Sharpies cause autism, by the same dot-connecting you describe.

It is false, and it is hurting people.

The reality is that we don't know what causes it, but vaccines have been investigated, and they aren't it. Continuing to focus on that issue is a distraction from finding the actual cause.

Vendetta1 said:

A lot of people have no patience. I think its just lack of knowledge also. I was at a soccer game and a guy was looking after an autistic kid. I asked him how the day was going and he commented on the usual lack of understanding from people. It does teach you compassion i agree:)

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

IrresistibleB1tch said:

There isn't. the vaccine are/were stored in a container containing mercury that is believed to have leeched into the vaccines.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

There used to be a trace amount in the preservative. Mercury isn't particularly rare, chemically.

tackam said:

Not true....there used to be loads of thimersol(mercury) in vaccines. It was phased out in the late 90's early 2000's due to safety concerns. There are now only trace amounts of thimersol in most vaccines. The only vaccine that still contains the old amount of thimersol is the flu shot, which they are now recommending for infants over 6 months of age.

I take exception to your earlier post about vaccines and autism. As a parent, I find it completly condescending to think that a parent cant notice a difference in their child before vaccine and after. You should read some of their stories. They talk about how a few days after receiving a certain shot, their previous normally child no longer sleeps, no longer speaks, has constant liquid bowel movements, so on and so forth. Why are they dismissed? Parents know their children.

Bernadine Healy, the former head of the Institue of Medicine, just said a few months ago that all of the studies that dismiss autism and vaccines have been flawed and that the question is still up for debate.

http://www.ageofautism.co...-shot.html
[Edited 1/15/09 12:47pm]

tackam said:

Vaccines have been and continue to be investigated as a source of mercury poisoning and autism. Of course, main stream medicine and the drug companies need everyone to believe that the drugs they are pushing are safe.

Mercury is more toxic than lead and yet people routinely let their children be poisoned with it as do adults who have teeth restored with amalgam (silver) fillings.

http://search.mercola.com...0poisoning