Barbara

I have experience with kids who have autism but that was my first time being around someone who is older with autism. It was interesting because she didn’t let being mute stop her. She was very intelligent and funny. I like her honesty and it gave me hope for the kids I work with everyday. I often think about where they will be in 10, 20 years and I would like to think of them being successful like she is. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the presentation but I am glad I went. She isn’t afraid to express how lonely she was and how hard it was for her not to communicate. I was surprised how well she listened to what people were saying. I could barely hear the questions that she was asked but she answered them with no problem. The presentation made me want to work harder to give all students the chance to express themselves. Technology now can help all types of people with disabilities. I am learning ways to help students who are having problems and using her as inspiration I can try to help students who have autism and students in general. I am assuming the lady that was helping Barbara was a therapist of some sorts. I never understood who she was but she could be a resource for teachers as could Barbara for helping kids with autism reach their full potential. The information I learned from the presentation helped me with thinking of ways to help students. Barbara was mute and was a slow typer but she was very smart and just needed a way to communicate. When we were listening to this lesson I was thinking about differentiating instruction and multiple teaching styles. I need to have a variety when I teach and think of ways I can help all learners. She likes books but can’t read or listen to them in ways that are normal to most. If I’m the teacher I need to consider that and make that change in the classroom. When she was in school she probably just had expository teaching but now teaching has changed so much I think she could get better help now. Most teachers are aware of disabilities and have the drive to help any way possible. This information was new to me because I didn’t know there was an app to say what you type. I was curious about her back and how touching it helped her. I would have liked to learn more about her and I wanted to buy her book but I didn’t have cash. I liked how her thoughts came out. They were random but honest. She was creative but communicated exactly what she wanted. I appreciated how she was honest with everyone around her whether it is her nurses or readers. That is a rare quality. Each person is different but the qualities that come with autism make them that much more special.