My thoughts on our first readings

I have read and reread a certain section of our text "Asperger's Syndrome; Intervening in Schools, Clinics, and Communities".

On page five in chapter 1 - "If we expect a child with Asperger's to follow our orders without questioning us, what are we teaching that child about interacting with others? If we allow his peers to overpower him with insulting words or violent behavior, and we do not intervene, what is he learning about how to treat other people? If we are trying to teach her to think calmly before acting, and we respond to her with impatience, what is she learning from us about managing anger? If we do not listen to the child talk about what interests him or her, what will that child learn about listening to others? We need to stay calm and logical, explain the reasons for our behaviors and demands, learn to communicate effectively with people with Asperger's Syndrome, and make sure that they are treated with the respect that we ask them to give others."

This hits hime to me as I work in so many homes that typical children and children with various challenges are not listened to or taught appropriate manners or values that are important for a safe and functional society.

I realize that these families are asking for help and that is the first step, but so many parents do not realize that their behaviors are impacting these children in so many ways. What is going to happen to that child that is expected to do as he/she is told to do no matter what and someone goes to rape or molest that child?

These children need to learn by example of those around them. When I have had my neices and nephews, they know what behaviors are acceptable and that having fun is important as well.

I often work with children that can not make choices as they themselves have not been given the opportunity to have say in decisions or to make individual choices on their own. I find this to be maddening as they need to make choices all of their lives and when they can not even make a simple decision to where they might like to eat or even what they would want to eat - I do not what to pass my preferences on to them unless they are interested in trying some place new to eat or something new to try.