[Teachldsseminary] REQUEST: Disability

[Elizabeth Neipp]

Our seminary just graduated a young man w/ severe autism this last year.  I
had him his senior year which may have been an advantage over the teachers
who had him in the younger years, not because of his maturity so much as the
maturity of the class.  But I know that all of the teachers loved him and
the addition he was.

He was a wonderful addition to the class, mostly in spirit.  He was a
physical testimony before us each morning of the gospel of Christ on so many
levels.  The times he did participate were profound.  More than once he'd
make a statement that would sum up the essence of my lesson so perfectly
that all I could say was "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen", and we'd end
class.  Nothing more could top the pure testimony of this young man when it
did come forth.

I don't know what he learned in seminary but my class of 24 students and
myself were deeply changed over the course of four years.  They became more
patient, tolerant, helpful, unselfish, considerate, aware etc etc.

Sometimes he would get very sick w/ other complications and go to the
hospital.  One time this year he was gone for several weeks.  Every student
commented on how our class just wasn't the same w/o him.  The best prayers
uttered were in his behalf voluntarily offered by the class everyday during
those long weeks.

They learned all the "tricks" to help keep him under control.  I didn't even
have to do much of the "managing" of him  his senior year so I was pretty
much free to teach as the students would quietly help him keep "quiet hands"
or answer his incessant questions or calm his verbal outbursts.

I will never forget the blessing it was to have him in our class and the
impact his disability had on all of us for good.  He brought the Savior into
the room with him everyday.

Practically speaking...make sure you talk to his parents about what they do
to manage him when he needs it.  Let them know when he seems especially
agitated. There was always a reason and it helped me if I knew what it was.
It could be anything from their car being in the shop to his obsessing about
"everybody dies someday".

He had learned to respond to certain phrases and hand signals from his
parents to keep him calm.  Those were helpful to know and I used them, along
w/ the other students, frequently.  If we were going to do something
different, change of venue for the day for ex., I'd let his parents know, or
I'd tell him myself the day before.  He didn't like "surprises" in the
routine.  In this way he was prepared and wouldn't sabotage my lesson by
becoming verbal and agitated about class being held on the lawn or whatever.

Elizabeth

----- Original Message -----
From: <rfamilyz4evr at surfbest.net>
To: <teachldsseminary at latter-dayvillage.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 6:29 AM
Subject: [Teachldsseminary] REQUEST: Disability


> I have been contacted that I will
> have a young man in my class this
> year who has autism.  Though I am
> a teacher by profession, I don't
> work with disabled children.
> Does anyone have any ideas on how
> to reach this student?  I want him
> to have the best experience in
> seminary.  His mother told me that
> his last year, he just slept most
> of the time and when he was awake
> there were occasions in which he
> would be angry and shout out bad
> things.
> If any of you experienced teachers
> could share some light, I would
> greatly appreciate it.
> Thank you!
> Sherri EMS-TEXAS
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FREE teachldsseminary email list sponsored by Latter-dayVillage.com
> teachldsseminary at latter-dayvillage.com
>
http://latter-dayvillage.com/mailman/listinfo/teachldsseminary_latter-dayvil
lage.com
> or http://tinyurl.com/bemmh
>
> List archives at
http://latter-dayvillage.com/pipermail/teachldsseminary_latter-dayvillage.co
m/
> or http://tinyurl.com/7dpqf
>
> List FAQ:
> http://latter-dayvillage.com/support/users/kb.php?category_id=3
>