What School Could Be If It Were Designed for Kids With Autism
By Opinion
Published 4 years ago on
January 3, 2020
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Atlantic
The Atlantic
A charming, bright 5-year-old stands out in his classroom at Maurice Wollin elementary school, on Staten Island, as an extremely social, kind, and curious child. He remembers more about his peers—names, significant events, likes and dislikes—than almost any other kindergartner at his school does.
But despite his genuine interest in his classmates and their well-being, he often struggles with interpreting their feelings and intentions—he has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (This 5-year-old and the other students mentioned in this article have been granted anonymity to protect their privacy.) One morning last month, in the middle of a math lesson, a soft-spoken classmate accidentally bumped into his shoulder, and quickly apologized with a big, friendly smile. But the sociable child concluded that his classmate was being mean, and punched him in the shoulder, then dropped to the floor, crying, his arms flailing and his voice growing louder.
In many classrooms, a teacher’s aide might have pulled him aside, attempted to help him calm down, and encouraged him to be quiet. If he didn’t comply, and continued to disrupt other students’ learning, he might have been sent to a counselor’s office or the principal’s office, or have been sent home for the day. (Across the nation, students with disabilities are suspended at twice the rate of students without them.)
Read More →
But despite his genuine interest in his classmates and their well-being, he often struggles with interpreting their feelings and intentions—he has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (This 5-year-old and the other students mentioned in this article have been granted anonymity to protect their privacy.) One morning last month, in the middle of a math lesson, a soft-spoken classmate accidentally bumped into his shoulder, and quickly apologized with a big, friendly smile. But the sociable child concluded that his classmate was being mean, and punched him in the shoulder, then dropped to the floor, crying, his arms flailing and his voice growing louder.
In many classrooms, a teacher’s aide might have pulled him aside, attempted to help him calm down, and encouraged him to be quiet. If he didn’t comply, and continued to disrupt other students’ learning, he might have been sent to a counselor’s office or the principal’s office, or have been sent home for the day. (Across the nation, students with disabilities are suspended at twice the rate of students without them.)
Read More →
By Kristina Rizga | 30 Dec 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
No data was found
Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content
Tech /
9 hours ago
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month
Economy /
10 hours ago
A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution
Politics /
10 hours ago
UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza
World /
10 hours ago
Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates
Crime /
14 hours ago
Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win
Sports /
14 hours ago
Latest
Videos
Sports /
9 hours ago
Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants
Sports /
9 hours ago
Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1
Tech /
9 hours ago
Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content
Economy /
10 hours ago
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month
Politics /
10 hours ago
A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution
World /
10 hours ago