This is a true story of monumental clashes of wills and frustrating experiences. Through entertaining and sometimes hilarious stories, it reveals how shared respect, a sense of humor, and stamina are required by both student and teacher in learning "what works." From the moment this little "imp" arrives at her classroom door, the teacher is smitten with his intellect and potential. She is determined to find strategies and create situations that encourage him not only to excel academically but also to participate in the "social world" of an American elementary-school classroom. It documents how, even in an environment of experimentation, with affection and encouragement, trust develops. In the process, the stress, pressures, and fears that confront this child are exposed. The unorthodox methods, the unique mix of material and opportunities, and some downright sneaky tactics that the teacher employs, are also revealed. Each year an increasing number of children are diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum of Disorders. These children, their parents, and teachers must face the challenges this presents with creative perseverance, while learning from each other and eventually becoming each other's teacher.
About the Author: The author of this non-fiction book taught school for more than 37 years in a suburban New York school district. She had the most remarkable students. This is a story about one of them. A. Teacher received her B.S. and M.S. from Hofstra University and a P.D. from Long Island University. She received additional training at the College of St. Mark and St. John in Plymouth, England and attended lectures and workshops at leading educational institutions including Harvard. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences often serving as the keynote speaker. She participated in international educational conferences in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, The Netherlands, Jordan, and China. Her articles on teaching methods, instructional design, staff development, mentoring, evaluation, and accountability have been published in leading journals and incorporated into training manuals. Her first book, which she co-authored and edited, concerning standards, tests, and accountability was published by NEA (National Education Association) and her curriculum materials have been reproduced in both the United States and Canada. A. Teacher is proud of her work with this student and is writing under a pseudonym only to protect his identity.