Posted by:
Katherine Douglas
K-12 Classroom teacher
East Bridgewater, MA

Topic:
Special needs and comfort level.

Message:
Mary: your story is an important one and your willingness to share it is important to all of us. Over the years I have had a number of children with a similiar diagnosis (Asberger's) and their reaction to the classroom varied of course. Some things I did notice: It seemed to comfort many children to have control over where they sat...and many chose the most peaceful part of the room (usually the computers or drawing table) Some children preferred to avoid wet or gooey experiences, which, of course was fine. Weaving, drawing and computer drawing were probably the most popular choices. One young man who really hated to feel anything wet nevertheless was fascinated by the plaster masks and after a time gritted his teeth and made one himself: but in his time and on his own terms. Your suggestion of another location to make the chosen project is an excellent one and would work fine in schools where students were accompanied by a teacher aide.

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