ABC's "What Would You Do?" Segment on Autism

Emergence: Labeled Autistic

This is my all time favorite Temple Grandin book. I have learned so much from meeting with her on a personal basis, attending her seminars, reading her books, and watching the movie about her life. Damien and I have been privileged to meet Temple on four different occasions. It seems they both appear to find one another fascinating.

My Role in Presenting “Teaching Students with Autism”

Throughout the research project of “Teaching Students with Autism,” I was responsible for the research of various teaching methods that are used in the classroom. Because the area is broad due to the fact that autism is a spectrum disorder ranging from low-functioning to high functioning, it was difficult to narrow successful teaching methods for the classroom. This is why I chose to leave out therapies that happen outside of the classroom. I gave tips and provided researched, successful methods that are easily implemented by the student with autism’s classroom teacher. I found visual representations of these methods so that all of the members in the audience could visually see what I was referring to. Furthermore, I made the class aware that there were many more methods that I had not referred to. The project was an exciting project for me, due to my hands-on experience of teaching a child with autism. Furthermore, I learned many new and various techniques that I was not aware of and have never employed in the education of my son. It is interesting to see that the most simple modifications, such as color-coding or simple checklist schedules, which have recently been implemented with this child allow the child with autism to be a successful student. This project was the most in-depth and educational learning experience that I have had thus far. I plan to use many of the methods presented to my audience in my future classroom experiences.

References

Attwood, Tony Dr. (Writer), Future Horizons (Producer). (1999). Asperger’s Syndrome – A Guide for Parents and Professionals Video. [Motion Picture]. United States.

Brown, Michael. (2007, March) [Interview conducted by Pamela N. Brown with Michael Brown, OTR at West Texas Rehab.]. (Abilene, Texas).

Epps, Stacy. (2007, November) [Interview conducted by Pamela N. Brown with Stacy Epps, the mother of a boy with autism named David Epps]. (Abilene, Texas).

National Education Association. (2006). The Puzzle of Autism. (1st Ed.). Washington, DC: National Education Association.

Smith, Deborah. (2007). Autism Sprectrum Disorders. Virginia Lanigan (Ed.). Introduction to Special Education: Making a Difference. (pp. 428-457). New York: Pearson.

United States Government Accountability Office. (2005, January). Special Education: Children with Autism. Washington, DC: United States Government Accountability Office.

Class of 2014

My son, Damien Brown graduated today. Damien is a young man with autism, who was considered low-functioning when he was first diagnosed. Damien was fully special education when he started middle school at Clack. By the time he began Cooper High School, he was in all regular education classes with special ed supports. Damien graduated as a Texas Scholar and with AP credits. Damien is the editor of the Cooper Crest and a member of the Creative Writing Club. Damien plans on going on to college to become a psychologist. Damien has autism, but autism has never had him.

“DON’T JUDGE ME… You can’t handle half of what I’ve dealt with. There’s a reason I do what I do… There’s a reason I’m what I am.”

~ Anonymous

“I don’t think the worst thing that could happen to me is raising a child with special needs. I think the worst thing is to raise a child who is cruel to those with special needs.”

~ Anonymous

“A worried mother does better research than the FBI.”

~ Anonymous

“A child with autism sees things differently than we do. Perceives things in a different light. Can perceive things in ways we could never imagine.”

~ Anonymous

“Don’t underestimate a person with autism. Try to understand them.”

~ Anonymous

“Autism is not something I have. It is integral to who I am. Eliminate the autism, and you eliminate me. When you say you want a cure, you are saying I should be put to death. Think about it."

~ Parrish S. Knight

“Autism never sleeps, so mummy is cranky, and I think she needs a nap.”

~ Anonymous

“Autism (with a capital “A”) to me, says that I accept my child wholly. I celebrate his differences and his quirky-ness. I advocate diversity. I try to empower him. I am proud of his successes, no matter how small they seem. I hope he holds onto the compassion he has in his heart into adulthood. I do not think he needs “fixing”. I am proud that he is my son, and sometimes I am humbled by that very same thought.”

~ Anonymous

“When life gives you lemons, make grape juice, and watch the world wonder how you did it.”

~ Anonymous

“God created autism to help offset the excessive number of boring people on Earth.”

~ Anonymous

Face of Autism

Original Photography by ©Pamela N. Brown

“Doctors look at me and say I’m autistic, but my mummy holds me and says I’m perfect.”

~ Anonymous

“I didn’t get where I am today by not being autistic.”

~ Larry Arnold