Exceptional Children: Educating Autism

Who are exceptional children? Children who are considered to be "exceptional" have skills either above or below other children their age. This includes children with disabilities or children with a special gift or talent.  Autism, mental retardation, hearing/visual impairments or just having a special gift are all considered categories of exceptionality. These children are "out of the norm" meaning they don't operate and live daily life like most children do. For exceptional children life might mean having a service dog, not being able to sit still or being able to play Mozart at age five.

What is Autism? Autism is the second most common developmental disability affecting one in every 110 kids. Some kids with autism, like 7 year old Annalysa Smith cannot differentiate between happy and sad and need medication to focus on  school work. Others with Autism have extreme OCD, cannot speak or cannot sit still. Autism is a "spectrum" disorder meaning it can affect children and people in all sorts of ways ranging from mild to extreme. Asberger's syndrome is a mild form of autism that sometimes results in the carrier having a special gift or talent.

How do we educate autistic children? 

Children with severe forms of autism are generally not involved in a regular school classroom with other children. They may go to classroom specialized in educating children with autism or they may go to an entirely different school with a special program."Because the needs of each autistic child are unique, schools must strive to find ways to match treatment strategies, services and supports to each child’s individual and family characteristics. This includes incorporating the child’s unique preferences, special interests, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the family’s goals and characteristics, into a specialized instructional plan"   However, children with milder forms of Autism like Asberger's syndrome may be in a typical classroom with children who are considered exceptional. In this case it is important to try to pay close attention to the needs of this child without singling them out or making other children feel they are not as important. Kids with Autism will sometimes have aids in the classroom who are specialized in Autism. It may be great and wonderful to see a child with a gift from Autism but its just so important that teachers do not single these students out.