Broadening our definition of "normal"
So, I am going to post about my job again. I just have been reflecting on the past school year. I have worked in my job for almost a year! The school year ended and some of the kids promoted. It was really sad. I don't like thinking about how they promoted and won't be there next year. The classroom will feel somewhat empty without them there. Over the past year, I have learned so much from these kidos. I have learned about love, laughter, intelligence, learning processes, behavior discipline, reinforcement...I could go on forever. I think the most important thing I have learned about is the definition of normal and "cool". These kids are not "normal". They are autistic. They have special needs. They have annoying behaviors, aggressive tantrums, loud tantrums, non-compliance issues. They sometimes have OCD. They sometimes throw tantrums because things aren't going there way or because something is too hard. People look at the kids and think they are