I urge anyone who is working with or planning to work with children to see this video clip “In My Language”. Of particular interest is the author’s “translation” section of the video. Think about young children with disabilities as you listen to the author’s description. As an adult, the author has come to understand her own language, interactions, and how the world views her. But for young children with disabilities who do not have such views or understandings, think about how they must feel when put in similar contexts and situations. It is the job of educators to understand our students with disabilities and help them interact, communicate, and be in ways that are fitting for them. At the very least, remember that there are “different kinds of thinking and interaction”.
I was so moved by this. My 4.5 year old son is diagnosed as autistic.
He was diagnosed when he was 3, after months of appointments and whatnot. I was the one who got him checked out as he seemed unhappy, had maybe ten words, didn’t play with toys, didn’t make eye contact, and would do things like flick lightswitches or roll things on the ground constantly. I didn’t know what he WANTED so much of the time, and the rest of the time it was telepathic. I suppose I understood telepathically what *I* am capable of grasping….hungry, tired, bored, hug, etc. But I couldn’t understand what he was saying when he threw himself down and banged his head because something was wrong with his eggs, even tho they were the same as usual…for example.
I didn’t know much about autism at the time of his diagnosis but immediately, was fortunate enough to get him enrolled in an Under Six Early Intervention program.
Within a year he went to full sentences and seems to embrace and enjoy conversation. He’s rarely NOT talking now. Many things changed, he skyrocketed in his physical and verbal development and seems to be very happy now, always laughing, and he loves his autism interventionist and his program and has lots of fun.
HAVING NOW SEEN THIS VIDEO, if he wasn’t so happy now, I would probably pull him out of any programs. Since he seems so happy with his new skills and the way things are, I won’t change that , but you know he doesn’t “roll” things around anymore or flick switches as much (he’ll be satisfied with a couple of flicks instead of a hundred)
I would LOVE to speak with the woman in this video, the author, and come to a greater understanding about my son, if she has insights to offer.
This video is wonderful and touching. I have always said that while I want my son to be able to interact and be involved in the world as myself and “most” of us are, I never, EVER want to change who he is. He is innocent and loving and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He is very smart, talented, and funny, and autism is just so much a part of who he IS that I almost fear one day he will be just like the rest of us LOL
If it is possible , I’d love to discuss. Pls email me!