The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

The successful inclusion experience of a child with autism is fully revealed. Hear about disasters and triumphs from parent and teacher. See how peers, parents, and school personnel really felt. Learn tools to maximize the impact of every child’s entry into a collaborative education environment. Prepare to be inspired. Mary Donnet Johnson, Sherry Henshaw Corden, and Dr. William Allen, the co-authors of "Beyond Words: The Successful Inclusion of a Child with Autism," will give a multi-media presentation on what worked, what didn't work, and some of the many lessons learned during the course of a year when one virtually nonverbal child with autism was fully welcomed into a regular kindergarten classroom.

This presentation will include a frank discussion of failures and triumphs by the parent of the child and the child's first regular education teacher. There will be audio-visuals of honest and heartfelt comments about the experience from the child's typical peers, their parents, and other school staff and professionals interspersed throughout. In addition, Dr. William Allen will offer insightful commentary and pragmatic suggestions to lend practical value to this emotional journey.

The three presenters will entertain questions from the audience, show a brief DVD that reveals the child's significant improvement over the last three years, and share concrete tools and innovative ideas from their book.

If appropriate, and as time allows, they may also read short passages from their book such as the excerpt provided at the end of this document.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE:

I. Premonitions and Preconceptions A. Preliminary impressions, hopes, and fears (Sherry Corden/Mary Johnson) B. Preparation and positive expectations as antidotes to panic (Dr. Allen)

II. Getting Ready A. Ways to prepare the child with autism for entry into regular school (Mary Johnson) B. How to smooth the transition for the child, his or her family and the welcoming teacher (Dr. Allen) C. Practical suggestions and potential pitfalls as the teacher prepares his or herself and the classroom (Sherry Corden)

III. Getting to Know You A. We admit our failures (Sherry Corden and Mary Johnson) B. We share some successes – both the ones we hoped for and the happy accidents (Sherry Corden and Mary Johnson) C. The gifts and surprises that can be found in even the most challenging situations (Dr. Allen)

IV. Behavioral Issues, Sensory Strategies, and Communication A. Set the stage for success (Sherry Corden and Mary Johnson) B. Create a behavioral flowchart for problem solving (Dr. Allen) C. Trouble-shoot danger zones and learn to survive the holidays and breaks in routine (Sherry Corden and Mary Johnson)

V. Creating Connections That Last A. How to make friends even without words (Mary Johnson) B. An open letter to the child's next teachers (Sherry Corden) C. Grooming the child (and the next teacher) for success (Dr. Allen)

VI. Show a short DVD of the child's progress over the last three years.

VII. Answer questions from the audience and conclude with the following brief excerpt from our book, "Beyond Words: The Successful Inclusion of a Child with Autism."

Epilogue by Pace's Mom

The night before kindergarten started I remember looking at Pace as he slept and thinking, “Wow, this is either going to be life-altering in a good way, and bring this kid out of his shell, or it is going to be a total bust and do us all in.”

And then I began to think about how I would have to guess how every day in kindergarten was. He would never tell me, because he couldn't. He couldn't comment on a beautiful sunset, share a sudden thought, wonder about the mysteries of life, tell me his dreams, or let me know if he was nervous, scared, or even if his stomach hurt.

I longed for one spontaneous word. Call me from another room. Yell at your sister. Say “God bless you!” when I sneeze. Say “I love you,” when I do something nice. He had never said he loved me. And I had spent so much time, energy, money, sweat, tears, and endless, endless worry on him. Thoughts of his welfare consumed me. My heart was always full of feeling for him. Aware of his courage. Aware of his vulnerability. Aware of his potential. My heart.

I leaned down and laid my ear on his chest. His heart spoke to me in strong, regular beats. I could hear that. I could believe each beat held love for me. I could take that as clear affirmation that as long as that heart was beating it was sending a message of love.

I love you, Mommy. I love you, Mommy.

I could hear that.

It was beyond words.

* * *

Critical Acclaim for "Beyond Words: The Successful Inclusion of a Child with Autism."

"...Every parent of a school-age child with autism can relate to Johnson's descriptions of her heart-gripping fears as she navigated this first year. Corden's frank concerns and responding courage in turn offer parents a bird's eye view of a teacher's perspective. The teacher's revelations plus the comments of the typically developing peers and their parents are a true gift. Parents of children with autism come to the experience of school inclusion with a weighty bag of anxiety, hopes and dreams. The honest, tender, and redemptive observations from those on "the other side" from the inside provide a medicine cabinet's stock of soothing antidotes for a parent's weary soul."

Excerpt from a review which recently appeared in the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee newsletter written by Leisa A. Hammett, an active parent volunteer and writer who is currently working on a book entitled "The Journey with Grace: A mother's reflections on raising a child with autism."

Content Area: Education