Archive for Thursday, August 14, 2008
Autism confusion
August 14, 2008
To the editor:
Since I've actually had autistic students recently in my English classroom at Bonner Springs High School, in USD 204, I was a little surprised at the letter in the Chieftain (July 31) chiding us for sending our autistic students to Kansas City.
When these students have been in my classroom, I've had excellent help from our special education staff in the building, a staff which is part of the co-op we share with Kansas City, Kan.
I wonder if this is where the confusion lies: Our special education teachers are paid through USD 500, Kansas City, Kan. However, they work with special needs students right here at the high school.
Definitely, autistic students here at the high school are "in residence" right here at Bonner Springs High School, where we strive to give them all benefits offered to all our students, benefits which will help them lead a productive, post-high-school life.
Chris Wood
Bonner Springs
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14 August 2008
at 9:33 a.m.
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travelinman (Anonymous) says…
While I am sure that there are some students in our school with Autism, I am also personally and painfully aware that there are those that certain teachers and administrators want to get out of the building. There are those that, through their extensive medical training, the current staff has decided by a look in their eye, that it is not the disability that is causing the issue. It all depends on how the disability is manifested. What is ignored is that it is still a disability.
14 August 2008
at 10:37 a.m.
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edwardsvillemom (Anonymous) says…
Mr. Wood,
As an English teacher, you should be familiar with “person first language.” Person first language is currently taught to and used by professionals in the education and medical fields to be used in reference to people with any disorder or disability. It's not about political correctness. It's about a person being recognized as a person and not by the disease or condition. They are children first and the only label they need is their name.
A parent has a right to refer to his/her own child as autistic. That is their choice. However, as a professional in the education field, you should show respect by referring to him/her as a child with autism, not an autistic child.
I do not have a child with autism, but I do have a child who has a disability. I hope that by the time she reaches high school, you will have become more familiar with person first language.
“But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”
George Orwell
Thank you,
Mashawna Thompson
http://www.parentofachildwithalbinism…