Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Teachers of Tomorrow learn about autism from a parent's perspective

Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Kim Daniel speaks at the April 19 meeting of the Teachers of Tomorrow student organization.

Kim Daniel, mother of two autistic children, spoke with future educators on April 9

April is Autism Awareness Month, and few students at Southeast Missouri State University will have as much exposure to autistic individuals as students entering the education field. At an April 19 meeting, the Teachers of Tomorrow student organization invited Kim Daniel to speak to their members about autism and the best ways to interact with individuals affected by the disorder. Daniel is a nurse as well as the mother of autistic twin girls.

Daniel told the students they would all likely have autistic students in their classes when they enter their professional field, and said they shouldn't let the prospect intimidate them.

"One in 66 kids right now -- and that number keeps changing -- will have some sort of autism spectrum disorder," Daniel said. "You guys will have -- mark my words -- you will have these kids in your class. Do the math."

Daniel first defined what exactly autism is, and how differently it can manifest itself in individuals. She described autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder commonly associated with three indicators: communication problems, stereotypical behaviors and delays regarding motor or communication skills.

Daniel added while there are common trends among those with autism, each is just as unique and distinguishable as any other person.

"The saying is, 'When you know one child or person with autism, you know one child or person with autism,' because none of them are the same," Daniel said.

Daniel said an autistic individual can appear anywhere on the spectrum of autism, from very high functioning to very low functioning. However, the outwardly apparent abilities of those individuals should not be confused for their mental capacities, because the two are commonly not as closely linked as most would think.

"Just because they can't explain to you how they're feeling doesn't mean that they're incapable of feeling it," Daniel said.

In addition to providing a working definition of autism and the perspective of the parent of autistic children, Daniel explained to the students what their role as teachers should be when it comes to autistic students.

"You guys are a part," Daniel said. "You can't do it all, but I want you to want to."

Daniel said, above all, she wanted the students to understand there are gaps in the development of those with autism, and those gaps don't always make logical sense. She gave the example of individuals exhibiting a syndrome called "hyperlexia," which occurs when a child is able to read before they are able to communicate verbally. Daniel said many would assume that because a child can read, they should be able to speak well, but this isn't always the case.

"If you learn anything, learn this: they don't always follow the right patterns of development," Daniel said. "There's holes, there's [things] out of order. Just like [you shouldn't] assume that they don't know, don't assume that they do know."

Bailey Kralemann, an education student at Southeast, said listening to Daniel speak gave her a new understanding of the way a teacher might approach a student with autism.

"I learned that supporting a child with autism is being a part of a community," Kralemann said. "It is not a one-man job. Every person in the child's life must work together to give the child the best support. I feel like teachers assume that [they] will be the one to change this child's life, but it's a group effort. Everyone in the child's surrounding is making an impact on their life."

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