Currently, I am taking the class Diverse and Exceptional Learner. Throughout this class, I have learned about various types of disabilities and impairments that I will see in my classroom in future years to come and the differentiation I can use to best accommodate those individuals. While learning about this, there are numerous speakers that come into our class to talk about the roles they have in a disabled child's life. These lectures are always eye-opening and give the class a different perspective on the topics we are learning about. Today our class had a very interesting lecture from Annette Musso. Annette has a son named Matteo. Matteo was born perfectly normal and continued to develop and progress like a normal child. Then, Matteo received some vaccinations along with a flu shot. After these shots, Annette began noticing differences in Matteo...he could no longer speak, interact, play, and wasn't the same boy he was prior to his shots. Three months later (at the age of 20 months), Annette described Matteo as, "gone." Matteo had symptoms and behaviors suggesting that he had Autism and at 36 months, Matteo was properly diagnosed with this syndrome. Matteo is now in kindergarten and continues to suffer from Autism. As Annette explained during her lecture, "It is easier for him to be in his own world than to be in our world...living in our world for him is like you trying to study at Roscoes."
Autism will only become more common in the years to come. Annette claimed that Autism will soon be an everyday occurrence in the mainstream classroom; therefore, it is important for all future teachers to be properly educated and trained in order to adapt and differentiate for these behaviors. Annette believes it a great benefit for all future teachers to take classes from behavioral schools. By taking these classes, one can become more educated or even specialized in helping children with autism. Even if one doesn't want to become specialized, it is still a great knowledge and skill to have and will become more needed in the years to come. Annette claimed, "There will always be jobs in the autism field." She also thinks it is very important that kids with Autism are mainstreamed as soon as possible so other children accept them and learn how to help and adapt to their behaviors.
Throughout this lecture, it was so beneficial to hear Annette's side of the story as she displayed various feelings towards teachers and IEP team members. Because of Annette, I further realized the importance of equality and adaptations in my classroom. It is necessary for me to be knowledgeable about each child's impairment in order structure their learning in ways that are best for them. Annette expressed, "All my son needs is a exercise ball or a balancing board, and he will be fine in any classroom." In addition, Annette expressed her frustration about the acceptance of people with Autism as she feels people look at Matteo when he is acting up and immediately classify her as a bad mother. After she stated this, it made me think about how often everyone in this world is judged, without truly being seen for who they are on the inside. It is so sad because Annette is a mother that is so kind-hearted and should be praised for her hard work and determination during the battles with Matteo; instead, she is being judged as a bad mother who cannot control her young child. As a future educator it is vital that I am knowledgeable about each of my students and their family lives in order to better understand them and their parents. It is also important that I listen to parents and the needs and concerns they have about their child; ultimately, they know their child best, and it is important for every educator to realize that. Lastly, it is equally vital that I inform others and raise awareness for all disorders, impairments, and disabilities so that all disabled individuals and their families are treated with the respect they deserve.
Click this link: http://www.autism.com/ to find more about autism.
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