Revving up awareness for autism
A Manawatu¯ teacher is lauding the benefits of a course helping teachers better understand kids with autism, made possible by one mum’s drive to demystify the disorder.
In close to 20 years of teaching, Hayley Scott hadn’t been offered any training on how to treat pupils with autism – which can affect children’s social skills, communication and ability to perform repetitive behaviours – before a free one-day workshop last year.
The Lytton Street School teacher now recognises what cues and patterns of behaviour to look out for so she can take steps to prevent disruptions in class.
Children with autism were easily overwhelmed, and subtle factors such as too much light or noise, and being given too many instructions, could spark a breakdown.
‘‘ASD [autism spectrum disorder] can present in several different ways.
‘‘A lot of children with ASD need their own space and don’t like children coming into their space uninvited,’’ she said.
Scott was one of 34 teachers to attend the Altogether Autism session, paid for by Feilding mother Sarah Blythe, who had raised $7000 from a motorcycle rally. She had been motivated by the treatment she and her son Neko, who was autistic, had been subjected to by teachers.
Neko had been labelled naughty, and Blythe a bad parent.
Blythe hopes a repeat of the event on March 3 will fund training for a similar number of teachers.
Motorcycles and cars will gather at Harley-davidson Feilding and finish at the Wines Bar and Grill in Himatangi, where there will be a live band, bouncy castles and food.
The Ministry of Education does not include any training on autism among its qualifications and will not pay for such courses as they’re not deemed a core requirement.
Scott said it was unacceptable teachers had to take autism courses out of their own pocket, and felt the ministry needed to put more resources into professional development and learning support. The Riding For Autism Awareness rally starts at 8.30am on Sunday, March 3, from 38 Weld St, Feilding.