It's funny when you think about how much time we spend together at work and sometimes we really get to know each other, but how often do you share what your parents do with your colleagues? I'm sad to say, I don't very often, in passing I've said plenty of times, "my mom is a teacher." But truly, she is so much more than that. With World Autism Day on April 2nd, I am proud to share with you, my mother, an Educational Assistant, dedicated to her students with autism for over 20 years. 

My name is Mary and I have worked in a high school setting for the past 23 years, in the Special Education Department as an Educational Assistant.

The Autism Spectrum is very broad, from non-verbal to totally independent. Each student is a unique individual. Some use technology, some use picture symbols or a combination of the two, to communicate. When working or speaking to someone with Autism, it is best to give them one sentence or task at a time, because it can take them a bit longer to process and respond. If not, they can become overwhelmed, leaving them frustrated and unresponsive. They thrive on routine and many times repeat what is said to them (echolalia). We always let them process before speaking or asking them to do more.

One of my very first students with Autism was a young female teenager. She had 2 Educational Assistants assigned to her. She was non-verbal and she needed routine along with a picture symbol schedule. We would go through her schedule every morning, so she knew what her day ahead was going to be like. Occasionally her schedule would change and not happen in the order we reviewed with her. When we would tell her of the change, she would become very frustrated and would bang her head on any flat surface to communicate her frustration.

I later worked with a young male teenager who was very independent and required assistance academically only. He used technology to help guide himself. I figured out early on with this student that when he became frustrated or overwhelmed, he would draw map routes to different cities to calm himself. So in these moments, to help him, I would ask him “If I wanted to go to Orlando, Florida with my family by car, what would be the best route to take?” He would set out and draw me a map with the highways and road names to take. This calmed him rather quickly and we were able to move on to a new task.

I am currently working with a young adult who will be graduating this year with her high school certificate. She does credit courses and is also in a special class to identify students’ needs and cater to them. She is independent but requires help academically and uses technology to assist herself. Her passion is art, she loves to draw and paint. Most of her work is free hand and by memory. Before covid happened, she was involved in the school’s co-op program and went to a grocery store everyday with me. I could leave her to work on her own while I assisted with 3 other students. She would only come look for me if she felt anxious or didn’t know where a product was. She was able to memorize all the aisles and where most products could be found. She makes my days brighter, she often says “you can sit down Ms. Totino, I’ll let you know if I need your help.”

My students have taught me so much about life and I love my job.

Click here for more information about World Autism Awareness Day.