Monday, April 4, 2011

Yes, you have to....

I don't WANT to! It's HARD!
I know it's really hard right now, but the more you do it the easier it gets. It was hard for me when I first started doing it, too. I don't always want to do my work either, but it has to be done. Now, let's get to work.

It's not FAIR! So-and-So doesn't have to do it!
LIFE isn't fair, not for you, not for me, or any other person. And So-and-So has to do other things that YOU don't have to do. Now, let's get to work.

I don't know HOW to do this!
Lucky for you, we have a ton of information available to help you get started! Pick which piece you want to look at first. Now, let's get to work.

I am NOT going to do it!
Yes, you most certainly are going to do it. AND you are going to change your attitude NOW. It's my job to make sure this gets done, and done as well as you can do it, and I take my job very seriously. Now, let's get to work.

I don't want to because I think I'll do a bad job at it.
First, if I thought you weren't able to do this I wouldn't insist that you do. I KNOW you can, and I believe you can do a terrific job! I promise, if I see you giving your best effort and doing your best work, I will never be angry or upset with you. Now, let's get to work. 

OK....will you help me?
Yes! I will ALWAYS help you, whenever you need me. Remember, help means I give you some tips and guidance while you do it - it doesn't mean I'm going to do it FOR you. Now, let's get to work.

I did it!! Did you see that?! I really did it!!
Wow! It feels great when you do something that you thought was too hard for you, doesn't it?! All that patience and work really paid off - AWESOME JOB!!

I bet you're thinking you just read a conversation I've had with my children at some point. Yeah, I've had talks similar to this with each one of them, but this particular conversation is the one I have had, and will continue to have, with some teachers who educate my kiddos on the autism spectrum.

I believe that every educator has the ability to teach my children. Some don't have the knowledge, experience or skill sets required to understand how an ASD student learns or why they behave in certain ways, but those are things that can be learned - as long as a person is WILLING to learn new methods, ask for help and approach the challenge with a good attitude.

Now, let's get to work. :)