Jacqueline Laurita of the Real Housewives of New Jersey posed a question on Twitter:
@JacLaurita: "If Autism is a social and communication disorder, Shouldn't social skills and functional language be a main focus taught in a schools curriculum?"
To that I answer:
Social skills are ONGOING starting with kinder-care! In the beginning; primary years are spent teaching functional language (abc's, numbers, sight-words, colors, shapes, etc.) The list could continue, but I'll stop there.
Parents, then, must work alongside teachers to reinforce social skills, functional language, as well as, further teach; etiquette, manners, and morals.
Around 1st grade, there may be some struggling students either observed by the teacher in comparison to student development among peers and/or parental observations. When this happens; those students that "struggle" are then evaluated for possible reasons why!
Learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, etc. these aren't the first red flags or deductions! There are SEVERAL factors that play into a student diagnosis and evaluation and EACH student is quite different. Many students fall under the socially awkward umbrella, however; in time, they generally evolve from that to be adamant social climbers. For some it takes time, others it doesn't. Home-life, visual or hearing impairments, birth defects or complications, traumatic experiences, or circumstantial factors also play MAJOR roles in a child AND, for that matter, adults functionality!
Not everyone is autistic, just like not everyone is dyslexic or good at math, or a great speller, or avid readers, or an awesome artist, or able to keep a rhythm, or have perfect hand-writing, or capable of staying on-pitch! Programs are provided based on NEED especially in public schools!
As an educator, I often find my self thinking; if parents want personalized training and teaching for their one child, they really need to either place them into a special school! Not even private, but special. Because private schools tailor their curriculum to fit the needs of either, their student population and demographics or, they have a ready-made academia that they use.
There is no perfect way! But thank God for the infinite resources available to help meet the needs of all individual students! Thank God for educators that are personally invested in the welfare of your child in your absence for the four to eight hours a day, five days a week, and thank God for the supportive parents that understand by any means necessary your child can and WILL succeed BUT, you must do YOUR part in fostering education, reinforce social skills and relying on functionality to aid that success!
Yours Truly,
A Highly Qualified Educator
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