Tiggerish
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 17, 1999
- Messages
- 2,291
Heard part of a radio show on NPR today where Pete Wright was being interviewed and he said something that I thought was one of the most encouraging thing I have ever heard.
He said that it should not be said an autistic child cannot learn something, rather that we have not figured out how to teach what that child needs to learn. He said that where the work is needed is in figuring out the motivation and manner for each skill needed to be learned for each individual.
I love the idea that the key to making the autistic child (or adult) life better is not blaming them but figuring out the motivation that particular individual needs and the manner of teaching that works for that person. It gives me hope.
He said that it should not be said an autistic child cannot learn something, rather that we have not figured out how to teach what that child needs to learn. He said that where the work is needed is in figuring out the motivation and manner for each skill needed to be learned for each individual.
I love the idea that the key to making the autistic child (or adult) life better is not blaming them but figuring out the motivation that particular individual needs and the manner of teaching that works for that person. It gives me hope.
This reminds me of a man I saw on TV recently. I don't remember his name, but as a child he was diagnosed as autistic, and had the typical behaviours - spinning, stimming, etc. But he actually taught himself how to behave "normally" by observing others. So while he still has what he himself considers the positive aspects of autism (such as an amazing memory and an ability to focus in on one thing) he doesn't have the troubling behaviours. Just wanted to share, as this man obviously found his own way of learning, but I sure wish I could remember his name (no amazing memory here, unfortunately).
