Why kids with autism rarely thrive in school

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I received this from another group:

Why Kids with Autism and ADHD Rarely Thrive in School> > December 14, 8:18 AM> by Jo Rudy> > Imagine this:> > You get up in the morning, and are transported to work at exactlythe same> time every day, along with up to thirty other people. Before youeven get> on board the bus, you know that many of the people on the bus will avoid> you. Others make a lot of noise, or sing, or throw spitballs - andthat's> before your first cup of coffee.> Once at work, you have not one but possibly as many as six or eight> different bosses. Each has a slightly different set of rules and> expectations, which you must memorize (if you don't, you'll receivea poor> review, which has the potential to negatively influence your entirelife).> > Each of these bosses expects you not only to do the work assigned,but to do> it

well - even if it's in an area you find most difficult. No, youcan't> just be an accountant because you're good at math - you must alsoshow your> ability in the advertising department and in sales, and on theproduction> line. Of course, you are required to join the company softball team(and> you'll be jeered if you miss on the ball). On your "off" hours, you're> scrutinized for your ability to get along with your workmates, andif you> fail you will have to practice your "social skills" on a daily basis.> > If you don't understand what one of your bosses is saying, you may raise> your hand (in front of 20 judgmental peers) and ask a question. But no,> there's really no time to ask a question privately. So if you didn't> understand the first time, you have a choice of humiliating yourselfnow, or> later.> No, you may not eat lunch outside the

office lunch room. Nor mayyou take> coffee breaks.> > Once at home, the workday isn't over. There are - almost every day- pages> of additional work to complete before you may relax. And oftenthere are> extra assignments that relate, not to your area of strength orexpertise,> but to your boss's expectations.> > Add to all this the reality that, while your workmates may find allof this> easy (and some of it fun), you find a good deal of it confusing,> overwhelming, or intolerably dull. Yet your parents, whom you love, are> sure that this experience is wonderful, and that your ability toperform is> the most important thing in the world. In fact, they'll do anythingin the> world to be sure you succeed in your workplace - even if it meansyou miss> out on anything you might actually WANT to do.> > Like reading a comic

book.> > Or joining a fantasy game online.> > Or becoming terrific at karate.> > Or being outside.> > Or even hanging out with people who are older, or younger, or different,> from you.> > Adults forced to live in such an uncongenial world would surely find> themselves anxious, depressed, and rebellious. Why wouldn't a childfeel> the same?>http://www.examiner .com/x-2007- Homeschooling- Examiner~ y2008m12d14- Why-Kids- w> ith-Autism-and- ADHD-Rarely- Thrive-in- School

[Guest guest]

I'm going to save this one too! Thank you!

To: AutismBehaviorProblems Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 8:53:36 PMSubject: Why kids with autism rarely thrive in school

[Guest guest]

Thank-you for this! God bless!!!

Why Kids with Autism and ADHD Rarely Thrive in School

December 14, 8:18 AM

by Jo Rudy

Imagine this:

You get up in the morning, and are transported to work at exactly the

same time every day, along with up to thirty other people. Before

you even get on board the bus, you know that many of the people on

the bus will avoid you. Others make a lot of noise, or sing, or

throw spitballs -- and that's before your first cup of coffee.

Once at work, you have not one but possibly as many as six or eight

different bosses. Each has a slightly different set of rules and

expectations, which you must memorize (if you don't, you'll receive a

poor review, which has the potential to negatively influence your

entire life).

Each of these bosses expects you not only to do the work assigned,

but to do it well -- even if it's in an area you find most

difficult. No, you can't just be an accountant because you're good

at math -- you must also show your ability in the advertising

department and in sales, and on the production line. Of course, you

are required to join the company softball team (and you'll be jeered

if you miss on the ball). On your " off " hours, you're scrutinized

for your ability to get along with your workmates, and if you fail

you will have to practice your " social skills " on a daily basis.

If you don't understand what one of your bosses is saying, you may

raise your hand (in front of 20 judgmental peers) and ask a

question. But no, there's really no time to ask a question

privately. So if you didn't understand the first time, you have a

choice of humiliating yourself now, or later.

No, you may not eat lunch outside the office lunch room. Nor may you

take coffee breaks.

Once at home, the workday isn't over. There are -- almost every day -

- pages of additional work to complete before you may relax. And

often there are extra assignments that relate, not to your area of

strength or expertise, but to your boss's expectations.

Add to all this the reality that, while your workmates may find all

of this easy (and some of it fun), you find a good deal of it

confusing, overwhelming, or intolerably dull. Yet your parents, whom

you love, are sure that this experience is wonderful, and that your

ability to perform is the most important thing in the world. In

fact, they'll do anything in the world to be sure you succeed in your

workplace -- even if it means you miss out on anything you might

actually WANT to do...

Like reading a comic book.

Or joining a fantasy game online.

Or becoming terrific at karate.

Or being outside.

Or even hanging out with people who are older, or younger, or

different, from you.

Adults forced to live in such an uncongenial world would surely find

themselves anxious, depressed, and rebellious. Why wouldn't a child

feel the same?

http://www.examiner.com/x-2007-Homeschooling-Examiner~y2008m12d14-Why-

Kids-with-Autism-and-ADHD-Rarely-Thrive-in-School