April is Autism Awareness Month (Photo/CDC)
Written by Karen Stokes
April is Autism Awareness Month, a way to recognize, honor and celebrate people on the autism spectrum and their support systems.
It is important that children on the autism spectrum have a strong support system and receive the best possible education tailored to their unique needs.
Children with autism spectrum disorder can gain a lot from educators, from general education to behavioral tactics. Unfortunately, Milwaukee is in dire need of special education teachers, especially those trained to work with students with autism.
Kassie McOmber, School Psychologist Advisor at Blazerworks (Photo/Kassie McOmber)
“I think special education staff could use more experience and knowledge from teaching college courses to work with students on the autism spectrum. I think a lot of people don't have that background. Provide some additional training on the basics of the spectrum itself, how students have different strengths, different needs, and evaluating students for who they are. I think there are benefits to doing so,” said Kathy McOmber, school psychology advisor at Blazerworks.
Autism may affect learning, including impaired social skills, difficulty processing information quickly or accurately, sensory processing difficulties, and communication difficulties, compared to neurotypical people. These include high levels of anxiety.
School culture can make a difference in the educational experiences of children on the autism spectrum.
“The biggest impact we can have on students to be more accepting and inclusive of students on the autism spectrum really starts with school culture,” Macomber said.
“I think having a positive school culture that promotes kindness and acceptance, learning that we are all different and learning about others who embrace those differences really prepares you to be more accepting of others.”
Teachers working with other professionals, such as therapists and speech therapists, can help support students.
“I think collaboration is the key,” Macomber said. “I think it’s important that everyone is on the same page about what works for the student services being provided. This is all part of the document that guides the Individualized Education Program (IEP), but each I think team members have different backgrounds and different perspectives,” and knowledge and expertise. I think it's great that we can collaborate on a regular basis. ”
Macomber said it's important to have different individuals with different expertise so they can plan services together and also do collaborative therapy together to address the student's goals. Speech therapists can develop good sociolinguistic skills, and in order to be able to interact with other students and adults, occupational therapists can support sensory regulation. And school psychologists and social workers can also support social skills practice and work together toward common goals for students.
“Make sure the program you run is appealing to students, based on their needs and goals, of course,” Macomber explained. “We want our students to participate in any program that has had a lot of success working with students on the autism spectrum. We can look at it and use that to guide our interventions.”
“With teacher shortages, having experts in schools, allowing educators to serve as teachers and educators on a smaller caseload, and truly focusing on working with students, allows educators to better serve students. I think in an ideal world, we would have more time to plan. I know that so many educators have great ideas and, as I said, collaborate. I know,” she said.
According to a report by the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism, and since April 1970, when the Autism Society held the first National Autism Awareness Month, More than 50 years later, one group of individuals is rarely celebrated for their impact on lives. Educators of people with autism.
