I was in graduate school ... plan for a future, for
opportunity, respect special interests and allow
us to use those to fulfill curriculum goals (i.e.,
trains and math-multiplying mileage and cars
and food consumed during traveling). Intervene
as soon as bullying appears. One grade I had
a class angel, who I later called my peer angel.
Pair students together. Remember kindergarten?
Strength in numbers? Include, include, include.
In sixth grade my teacher saw that not only was
I picked last, I was often not even picked. He
taught me how to hold and swing a baseball bat.
Fifty years and I still celebrate running to first
base.” ~ CarolAnn Acorn
“The teachers that truly care about helping a
child close gaps - their future changes for the
better. But it takes a special teacher who is passionate about making a difference in that child’s
life. They are the equivalent of heart surgeons in
the medical field.” ~ Diana Lewkowicz
“As a person with Asperger’s Syndrome, I have
been able to connect with children on the autism
spectrum through Boost! Summer Program, an
activity group for children on the autism spectrum. As can be attested by the teacher of the
group, a child really likes me. Also, a parent told
me that her child really likes me. These children
feel comfortable with me. I see myself as a role
model to these kids. I truly enjoy this experience.” ~Jessica
“For my children on the spectrum: They are
capable of more than you know. They may
not always arrive at the answers traditionally,
but they do arrive. Thank you to the teachers
that embrace this truth and accommodate for
it. Blessedly, more of you have been that way
than not. And for myself: I was not merely shy
or clumsy. My mind worked in a different way
than any of us could put a name to. I may have
gotten by quite well academically, but there
were struggles socially, emotionally, and physi-
36
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
cally speaking, where further attention was
warranted. More than the praise for the A’s, I
needed someone to notice I was friendless, selfconscious of my motor skills, and often drowning in depression. But what’s done is done. It’s
all water under the bridge, and I’m glad to say
that I am coming into my own now and raising
autistic beauties. Recently recognizing autism in
myself is truly helping in doing so.”
~ Marisa Ulrich
if it takes multiple times showing me. I know I
don’t always look like I am listening, but I am.
Most of all, I am thankful that you have faith in
me to succeed and that I am worth your time,
energy, love, and understanding.”
~ Debra Gomez
WANTED
“On behalf of a child ... I need to see something
from all 180 degrees before I recognize it in new
contexts, but you might not realize it because I
sound like I understand. A new context = need
someone to help me make that explicit connection. Otherwise, I might get it, I might misapply
it, or I might miss it entirely.”
~ Kelly Warriner Smith
“My autistic twins are 4, so I’m just starting this
school adventure. But if I had any real hope
for their future teachers, it’d be that they truly
believed in them. My kids are little geniuses,
trapped in bodies they sometimes can’t control.
If you really get to know them, their likes/dislikes, and join them in learning/playing, they’ll
blow your mind. Patience, awareness, understanding, and love are all necessary for a solid
relationship, and you have to form a relationship to get them to open up.”
~ Michelle Parker
“He matters! He is not a textbook anything, and
his individuality needs to be respected and cherished! Also, he doesn’t need to learn slang to fit
in!” ~Davona Wilson
SUZANNE “BEANE” CHANESMAN
FOR CREATIVE &
DETAIL-ORIENTED
DESIGN
TM
“Dear teachers ... thank you for everything you
do. I may not know how to show you I appreciate the patience and creativity you provide
every day, but it’s working. Thank you for believing in me and knowing that I can do it, even
www.beanedesign.com
[email protected]
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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