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I Have a Special Needs Child

There needs to be more awareness in the general public. When people try to joke with a child who DOES NOT GET JOKES they are not being rude when they get upset, and if they turning away, averting their eyes, walking faster to outpace you, or covering their ears that's a pretty clear sign that they are not taking what you say as a joke. I know people don't mean any harm, but from a parent's standpoint hearing a child claim that "I really tried mommy, I just don't understand what they are talking about" is heartbreaking. Dealing with the backlash from just that situation can be even worse. THEY cannot read body language like you or I, but they put out pretty damn clear signals. Please pay attention to the 'please leave me alone' look on their face. I cannot even count how many times I have said to people "hey sorry, but he doesn't really feel like playing right now" and got an F U look in return. Autism really does speak, people need to learn to hear it.

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mathsman · 70-79, M

So, Autustic Spectrum, with specifics.
I meet many in school, as a teacher.

Tinkerhell · 41-45, F

@mathsman Yes.

mathsman · 70-79, M

@Tinkerhell So interesting, always

Tinkerhell · 41-45, F

@mathsman Indeed it is. If they have taught me anything, it's to look at the world from a different perspective.

mathsman · 70-79, M

@Tinkerhell You're right. Indeed, all other perspectives are valuable.

Tinkerhell · 41-45, F

@mathsman For sure. Life is boring when everyone sees the world in the same way. Nothing would ever been invented or improved upon.

mathsman · 70-79, M

@Tinkerhell 😀 That's the allure of being a teacher, the material is the same, the minds so different.

Tinkerhell · 41-45, F

@mathsman There's nothing more important, beyond parents, to a child than a teacher who actually wants to not only teach, but learn as well.

mathsman · 70-79, M

@Tinkerhell Yesssss, I remember writing something like that in one of my applications for a teaching post.
I'd been churning out the same boring stuff on so many application forms, and then rewrote the whole letter.
I believed it then and still do. And I tell my students.

There are always one or two to make a real connection with.