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