What is your best memory?
Oh I have so many.. like being nominated to be Prom King, like the night of the Prom when I had 8 of my friends in the stretch limo my mum got for us.. and we had such a great time... like the first time I realised I really had friends.. when people started calling on the phone and coming round to my house without being invited! Best of all though has to be The Final Prize giving when the Head teacher stood on the platform to say why I had got my prize.. and said "the school was a better place for having had me in it". My mum was so happy that night that she cried!
meets.. read Tony Atwood's book on Aspergers... and Luke Jackson's book.. (I read that one and it is good!) Freeks, Geeks and Aspergers. Then get the leaflets from the National Autistic Society designed for teachers etc.. and then listen to the child's parents.. they have been living with him a long time and have some good ideas about what helps and what doesn't.. and take any opportunities that come along to get additional training.. or to have people in for teacher training sessions in school. Also use local special schools who have experience which may help you. We used to have a lady from Larkhall come to our school and she was great.
What is your worst memory?
Being excluded 4 times in three weeks for things I couldn't help as I was so stressed on account of all the change. What could have been different?
I should have had proper preparation for the change of school and the school should have been better prepared for meeting my needs.
Most of all.. remember that inclusion doesn't mean sometimes, it means always.. all children should have full access to the full curriculum changed as necessary to make it suitable for them. Most important of all.. work on the social issues for children.. help them and the other children to understand one another and try to help one another.. not turn away from some children because they are different.
Most of all, remember that inclusion doesn't mean sometimes, it means always What would you say to teachers who are including young people like yourself now?
Well first I would say.. thank you so much to all the wonderful staff and students in Dunraven who in the end made my school life very happy and productive.
Teachers all need to set the standard for Inclusion.. not just the staff in the special needs department. This is how the atmosphere in school changes and everyone starts to treat one another better. But it has to start with ALL the staff from the head to the cook!
To other teachers I would say..well my mum would say.. and does say to everyone she
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