| I'd like to discuss how we talk to children with | | | | knows that being spoken to harshly and punitively |
| autism. One of the things that strikes me is the | | | | can break a person's heart, spirit and self-esteem |
| wide range of what is considered acceptable. I'm | | | | over time. Our children are no different. They |
| not talking about teaching methods. Specifically, | | | | need to feel loved, accepted and cared for. Cruel |
| I'm talking about the tone and volume in which we | | | | and abusive tones alone can be harmful, even |
| speak to these children. I know that they're often | | | | without negative words attached. My suggestion is |
| difficult to reach and may require multiple | | | | that we ask our teachers to speak to our children |
| attempts to get them to attend or to understand | | | | with kindness and respect. At times when |
| what is being said to them. I also understand that | | | | firmness is called for, everyone can still speak |
| this can be frustrating and confusing at times, but | | | | kindly while staying firm. It's all in the choice of |
| it's everyone's job to stay calm and talk to them | | | | tone and language. We want our children to grow |
| in a reasonable manner. There are many teachers | | | | into their full potential. It can't happen if they're |
| and therapists in special education that would | | | | feeling anxious or depressed or if their |
| never speak harshly to any child. However, I've | | | | self-esteem has been damaged. We need to lay |
| heard many speak to children with autism in ways | | | | the foundation first- love, trust, respect, |
| that no regular education program would tolerate, | | | | acceptance and kindness. Then we can build |
| and it seems that this practice is still widespread. | | | | instruction over that foundation, taking care not |
| My theory is that this habit of loud, cruel voices | | | | to displace it. If you think about it, it's all relatively |
| has been accepted for so long that no one | | | | common sense. We all learn and become our best |
| questions it. It's left over from the days when | | | | in this kind of supportive and accepting |
| persons with autism were yelled at, slapped and | | | | atmosphere. Our children do too. |
| cattle-prodded to get them to comply. Everyone | | | | |