Autistic Child voted out of Class

[mamaducky]

I'm an elementary teacher, and have taught quite a few kids with Asperger's Syndrome. A couple of them didn't get formally diagnosed until fifth grade -- age 10 or 11. It is not some huge disability that would be readily diagnosed -- especially by a parent. Parents adapt to their kids' idiosyncrasies and adjust to their child's unique rate of development -- disabled or "normal".

A child with Asperger's would likely not be acting too terribly differently than quite a few other kindergarten students -- especially since, let's face it, a lot of non-disabled kids are still out of control for many other reasons. The disability doesn't in any way keep a child from learning, and though a child with Asperger's could benefit from (and should receive) special support, there's no reason why the child should be placed in a special classroom -- much less a special school.

Sure, in a perfect world, we'd have all the disruptive students out of a class so that the non-disruptive kids could learn. But in addition to the kids with disabilities, that also means the bullies, the class clowns, the chatterboxes, and the kids who are rude and unmotivated to learn. That would make for a pretty darn small classroom...!

I think this teacher should have her certification revoked, because she did damage to ALL her class -- not just the little boy who was voted out. Those kids were put into a situation where they were encouraged to be publicly unkind to another child -- and they now have in the back of their minds that if they don't play their cards right, this could happen to them as well.

Kindergarten is confusing enough for some of these kids without having to deal with teachers who do inexplicable things like this...!

[smokey the elder]

That was a despicable act, and the teacher needs to be held accountable. Just because someone's mind works differently than the "norm" (whatever the eff THAT is!) is no reason for that kind of treatment. What kind of message is she giving those impressionable 5-year olds?

[caseysmom]

My niece did not get diagnosed until both her parents died and she was 21, living with me and driving me insane! It is quite subtle if you are not aware of the disease.

[Suki Wingy]

Ugh, I know I had a bad kindergarden teacher, but she never kicked me out, geez! Asperger's is often times not diagnosed until kids are older, and high functioning kids really aren't too different from everyone else. I am high functioning Aspergers, meaning in only effects me a little bit, but I think diagnosing kids, especially so young with all of these minor psychological things really ups the chance of self fulfilling stereotypes.

[Karen]

As Suki Wingy pointed out, there is a whole spectrum of function related to Aspergers. Some people are very badly affected by it, and some people, you'd never know. That still does not excuse the teacher's despicable action.

[sparks19]

I went to highschool with a guy that had aspergers. it was apparent that he had this disorder but he was still allowed to be in a regular classroom and no one treated him like this teacher encouraged her class to treat him. he didn't NEED a special school. he did just fine in regular school with a little extra help at home and a study room period for extra help at school. AND... he was HAPPY go figure

[shepgirl]

I couldn't believe what I read. Of all the cruel acts this has to be the no.1. The school system should have fired that teacher on the spot. She should have her certificate revoked in the very least.
If the school doesn't act on this I would make a civil case out of this and sue her, the paren't are sure to win.

[Sevaede]

I agree, Jessika. This woman is sick and twisted.

Both of my brothers (I also have an aunt, younger than myself, who is autistic) are autistic. One is very visibly so. The other has Aspergers and is a bit more noticeable than others with it. Meaning, if you saw him when he was in a *good* mood then you would not notice.