Megan’s been at mainstream school since September now and by and large is settling in well. By far the best aspect of her schooling is the willingness of the staff there to learn as much as they can about both Megan and autism. The school’s SENCO today came around with one of Megan’s Support Workers and spent an hour with us at our home – all to learn as much as they could about how Megan operates outside of school and how we deal with her, the aim being to try and replicate the methods we use in the school. Next week, she’ll be coming around again with Megan’s other Support Worker.
I know how lucky Megan is to have such a dedicated team. Today the SENCO told us that she’d booked Megan’s Support Workers on a day long course so they could learn even more about autism. Its fair to say that we’re totally blown away by the level and depth of support we’ve been offered and have recieved from this school and these staff.
Believe me when I say that a lot of kids with autism don’t get such good staff. I know of a case where a Mum with an adopted son who has autism was told (by a headteacher with no medical training) that he wasn’t autistic (despite his medical diagnosis) and that it was her fault he was so disruptive. Its impossible to explain to people who don’t have autistic relatives or friends just how hurtful remarks like that can be. It demonstrates the inability of most of society to look past the surface behaviours and see the person underneath. That an educator has failed this child so badly is inexcusable. In the case of this child, it turns out he was being bullied every break and meal time over a period of years. It came to a head when he fought back and floored the bully. Ironically, it was the disabled child who was threatened with expulsion. The bully was threatened with nothing at all.
So, we thank our lovely school and our wonderful educators every time we possibly can. We’re aware of how much difference a good teacher can make because we’re aware how much difference a bad teacher can make.
Left Brain Right Brain 
It’s sad when people like the teacher you mentioned treat disabled children like that. I had a friend at school, who lost his right arm in an accident. One day the teacher saw me tying his shoelaces, he shouted at him (my friend) to do his work himself.
Later at lunch break, I saw my friend trying to tie the shoelaces himself, he was frustrated, he cried. The next day he got shoes with straps.
I don’t really know what to else write here, but I’ll be following Megan’s progress closely!