From a Teachers perspective

Gabriella - posted on 11/10/2008

just know they might not "hear" you at first or get really upset so just be patient and kind which you clearly must be if you are caring enough to ask the question. With Timmy i always knew omething was wrong but when it was brought up that xan had flags i almost passed out. and then I wanted a full list of what he was not meeting. Then I needed some hand holding for a while after that.

Kerry - posted on 11/05/2008

Hi tracey, welcome! As a parent i heaved the biggest sigh of releif when my sons teacher asked if I had looked at autism as a possibility to explain his "eccentricities" she called them. Over the year or so We had known her i had many times complained of not being able to understand him. Why is an obviously bright child not doing any schoolwork? etc.
The day she told me she thought he may be in this area, she said he reminded her of her own son who has aspergers syndrome which is........(you know the explanation) because he would not make eye contact with her or anyone else. She then asked permission to bring in the school guidance officer to ask me all of the questions and observe my son.
I was releive there was an explanation other than bad parenting for the way my son behaved sometimes! So a direct and informational way with the major decision being left to me, was a good way to approach the subject.
keep up the good work.

Tracy - posted on 11/05/2008

Thank you everyone! I will try to foster a good relationship with this new parent! I feel I have a wonderful relationship with the families I have known for a while so hopefully I can develop one with this family also.

Angel - posted on 11/05/2008

I agree with Carrie Cooling, the direct approach was the better aproach for me. I loved my son's first teacher and had a wonderful parent/teacher relationship with her which made it easier to hear. And that is what I would recommend, to foster that kind of relationship. It helps you understand their personalities and wheather or not you can be very blunt or if you need to be more subtle. I do know that not all parents of special needs children are as "involved" as they should be and that approach may not work with all parents, and for those, I don't know that it really matters how they get the news. For those that are involved but don't do well with the direct approach, I think the key would be to go over the "symptoms" their child has, allowing them to acknowledge and agree on what you both see, and show them where those "symptoms" are leading.. autism or apserger's. Explaining why you and their child's "team" is leaning toward that diagnosis. My son was not offically diagnosed until he was 9, and that was after several years of the terms autism, tourette's, add, hearing problems, and epilepsy being tossed around. When he was finally diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome and Tourette's Syndrome, it was like a weight had been lifted and the world made sense again. Knowledge is power! Thank you for doing what you do as a teacher!

Dorothy - posted on 11/02/2008

I wonder about giving the parents an easy-to-ready book, like "All Cats Have Aspergers", and suggesting they read it an see if they see any similarities. Education is KEY for the parents...but that takes time. And sometimes you may need to plant little ideas, that the parents can think on, then maybe come back to you with questions. It's just SO helpful to know there is a reason for my grandson's different behavior....and helps me to respond to him completely differently than if he was just spoiled.

Jessica - posted on 11/02/2008

My experience with my son wasn't a very positive one. I was told by the psychologist that did the original testing, he didn't explain anything really and told me I'd receive a report when it was completed. I haven't heard anything since. It was BAM Your child is autistic, best of luck. I've searched out many things on my own.



I think the direct approach is for the best as long as there's plenty of information and support that comes with it.

Tracy - posted on 11/02/2008

Thanks! I will try that on this next one.....the nice thing is there is a whole team of people talking to the parents not just me.

Carrie - posted on 11/01/2008

I like the blunt, straightforward approach best. "Have you looked into autism as a possible diagnosis?" Then, after the parents' response, "I say this because..."