Barb Rentenbach Reflection

 

I wish I could have seen Barb Rentenbach in person, but I enjoyed watching these videos.  It was very relevant to me because I work with two kids that have autism.  They can communicate, but mostly with one- or two-word utterances.  I could relate some of the things Barb mentioned in her book that the people were reading to my experiences with these kids at work.  For example, one of them likes to carry stuff around with him.  Usually it is a book, or toy, but her statement about sometimes liking to carry objects (like a bowl of nuts and bolts) made me think about that.  I really liked how she talked about it is harmless.  If they are never using it to cause harm, then why would we take away a piece of their comfort?  I am sure that happens sometimes.  One way I can better teach children that have autism in my classroom is by not stressing over the little stuff like that.  I thought facilitated communication was very interesting.  I love hearing about ways that we allow people who may not speak to communicate with us (another example is with iPads).  I wondered why one or two of the people in the Here We Are World video used it though when they were the ones speaking what they wrote.   It is so exciting to see that though, because before they had that to communicate, I’m sure it was extremely frustrating.  I loved that Barb Rentenbach said not to shelter kids that use facilitated communication.  I think this is important to remember with all of my students; sometimes I underestimate what they are capable of.  Students that do not have autism and students with autism need to be challenged and I need to have high expectations for them, while still being sensitive to their needs.  I also took to heart what she said about interacting with them.  She said nobody likes to be talked at and sometimes they just want people to be there but not talk.  I am definitely someone who likes to talk to fill the silence, more particularly with people I do not know very well.  I find myself doing that with the kids at work that have autism.  I will remember that maybe they just want me to sit with them, but not constantly be trying to talk to them.  This is something I will take with me into teaching as well.  These videos did affect my view of people with autism in positive ways.  They made me more aware of ways to better communicate with them and interact with them.  I think it is important for all people to be educated about autism.  This month is actually autism awareness month and we just had autism awareness week at work.  This is good because the students better understand why a couple of them are different, but still capable of the same things as them.  All teachers should be educated on autism so that they can better teach students with autism and adjust the environment to help them be comfortable.