My Son Sam: Teens with Autism: Grading on the Curve

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Grading on the Curve

Report cards came out today. My son Sam, who was in the exceptional children's program at the high school, was promoted to 10th grade. I remember 10th grade. I feel old.

The fact that Sam is rockin' a 3.00 GPA is not bad, either. I am proud of Sam. For a teen with autism, his grades are based on his IEP, not necessarily the standard course of study, although we do follow that.

If one looks at his grades, though, you might think, this kid could have done better. I tend to take his report cards with a grain of salt -- grading on the curve of autism so to speak. Yes, he is capable of so much more, but the reality is, he is learning disabled. Learning is hard for him. While some things come easy for typically developing teens, a certain level of grace needs to be extended for him. It's not that he is incapable -- it's just the way it is. "Normal" has a wide variety of normalcy.

Sam can construct the most elaborate Lego structures known to man -- yet, 4 x 4 eludes him. He can verbally tell me the most incredible dreams, but when it comes to writing them down -- words flee in his presence. He can learn all about Thomas Edison to the point that he can quote what Edison invented and when, but ask him to read a book about the man, and Sam freezes. He can learn so well while watching television programs on geography or history, but present a textbook....you get the idea.

The summer time presents a problem, in that Sam's memory literally goes on vacation when it comes to schoolwork. So instead of vegging out all the livelong day, he's working on math worksheets, boning up on multiplication facts, and reading books on subjects that interest him. For reading books on snakes, reptiles, robots and trains, as much as the topics are his special interests -- it's still reading.

Sam is excited about going into the 10th grade, and well he should. Just a few years ago one teacher said that by now, he'd be in a group home or an institution....and he's not. He's at home, learning, and doing well. Praise be to God.

1 comment:

AnonymousJune 17, 2011 at 4:33 AM
What an awful prediction to make!!!....especially coming from a teacher. Unique learning style calls for unique teaching styles.
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A Note...

My son Sam was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in 2001, at the age of 6 years old. From the time he was 17 days old, there was something "just not right" about him. Tantrums, the lack of smiles and eye contact, sensory issues with tags and clothing, even food, were rampant and disturbing.

Despite family disagreements over taking Sam to diagnosticians, and disagreements over the diagnosis (they said he was "just all boy"), the diagnosis of HFA just fit. He was also diagnosed with ADHD, epilepsy and gastrointenstinal issues (all very common with people with autism).

At the time, diagnosis of ADHD were very common; it was soon discovered that many of these young people were either also diagnoses with autism or misdiagnosed altogether. At the time, it was reported that 1 in 300 kids had autism. Services, understanding, acceptance and general love for these kids were pretty much non-existent. A few years later, it was reported 1 in 150 kids had autism.

Today, 1 in 110 children are affected by autism. Either we're getting better at diagnosing it, or it's increasing. More needs to be done to learn WHY this is happening.

When Sam was first diagnosed, services for preschoolers and elementary kids were just getting underway. As Sam has grown, it's become more and more difficult to find services for him, as well as deal with his tantrums (he is 5' 10" and 192 pounds -- oh I wish his special interest was football instead of trains and Dr. Who!). Puberty, a challenge for teen boys without autism, has proven to be a huge mountain to climb for a young man with autism - not to mention his mom and step-father.

This blog is designed to help others who are dealing with a teen with autism. I'll share stories about Sam, services and resources I'll find out about, and offer encouragement. Sprinkled among these things will also be posts with laughter, and some with tears.

Please feel free to comment. I've enabled ads on this blog simply to give you more resources...if you feel so inclined, please click on them and check them out.

Lastly, faith in Jesus Christ has been the only -- only -- sustaining force in our lives. Teaching Sam, who cannot learn abstractly, about an abstract God, has made both his and my faith much more concrete. I thank God for entrusting me with a child who has autism, for it has opened my heart to people with disabilities, and allowed me the honor and privilege of loving Jesus -- and Sam -- all the more.

Peace,

Terrie McKee