Working with autistic people

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I am just wondering if anyone with AS/HFA does work with people with lower functioning autism or even with kids that have AS/HFA? Does that happen ever or is it always NTs who do that kind of work?

I am a self-diagnosed Aspie, child of 2 undiagnosed Aspies, mother of 1 Aspie and one child further along the spectrum.

I work with pre-schoolers who vary from NT to non-verbal ASD. There are many days when I wish that as I am commended for my insight on a child, I can also "confess" that I know what I'm talking about not just cos I read a book or took a class!

As far as I can tell, I work with some folks who have OCD for sure, but there are only one or two of "the bretheren" amongst us. (sleep deprivation has made me punchy as you can see...loonnngggg week of barely passing for normal )

I'd like to also add that I think that more folks on the spectrum should work in the field. It would be true neurodiversity in action.

(Minor thread highjack ahead--sorry)

The kids are the best part of my job. The social piece with my co-workers, not so much. Why? I observe way too much pity, and not enough respect, you know? On another thread someone said that they believed that it's up to the more "functional" of our population to understand and learn the communication styles of those on the spectrum. In my reality, it's usually the other way around, unfortunately. I spend a lot of time advocating for acknowledgement of any communication at all, while the school system wants the children to learn to blend in... to assimilate. Why does it have to be what's convenient for teachers or care-givers? For example: A child doesn't want to speak? So what, why can't they use sign language, or PECS? Pictograms? Puppets? Forever as they see fit?

The relationships we're trying to build between the students and their peers should come before everything else. I truely believe that if I am effective at my job, there will be a few less bullies, and a lot less children feeling ashamed of being unique.

I can say this because I went through it myself!!

Hear hear!! ! Great posts, I couldn't agree more!! ! We are the best qualified after all and have the insight and natural affinity with our own kind I really want to work with autistic children and/or adults and special needs in general, I worked in a pre-school and the SEN kids and the introverted sensitive ones really gravitiated towards me. I've heard of a few autistic people who work as psychiatric nurses or as special needs teachers or carers/aides. My only concern is how exhausting all the interaction is, but I agree that the main problem is dealing with the NT co-workers, also, do you disclose whether or not you are actually on the spectrum yourself?

Disclosure, yes there's the rub. Again, true neurodiversity in action would mean that I could disclose at my interview and be treated with the same respect as everyone else. The NTs that I work with would be the first to say that they treat everyone the same, but that's really not true then, is it?!

As it is now when I'm having an off day, I have to choose my words so very carefully, or not speak at all. Every twitch is commented on or made fun of (with a smile of course: "we're kidding... you are so sensitive today... blah blah blah") I've come very close to having a meltdown a few times. The group team meetings are the main triggers. I have to sit on my hands, or stare at the table doodling, or play chess in my head just to keep from having an outburst. So much BS in one room at one time is torture!

But the kids love me best and all the other teachers hate it... ha ha ha

Hi - I'm new to the forum. I am also self - diagnosed. I manage an adventure playground where children who have autism and aspergers attend along with NT children. I have great relationships with the children I work with. There are some aspects of my approach that really benefit me in my job, and some that challenge me. But that's why working in a team is important. Everyone has something different to contribute. It doesn't always follow that I bond and work well with all of the children there who have autism and aspergers just because of my own cognitive style. Sometimes maybe the opposite is true.

Good point! There are times when I can't handle a crisis situation with one of the kids, or implement a new intervention because it triggers too strong of an emotional response for me. In those times I can't sort out who needs what and why: the child or me. That's when I'm glad that the other teachers can be more consistent in that regard.

The other assistant teachers and I have agreed to a system of not jumping in to help another teacher with a crisis unless they are asked. I've had to work on accepting that I can't handle everything that happens by myself, and I shouldn't.