Drama Class
My friend Lisa isn't able to get her daughter into a drama class. I thought that was fair enough, really. Her daughter (how about I call her Millie) has autism, and I can see how she would need extra care in a drama class. You couldn't expect a small business to employ a second teacher - they wouldn't be able to afford it.
Millie can't get into an art class, either. This time I'm surprised. I don't see how Millie would need extra support in an art class, especially since I've seen her drawings. They are amazing for a 13-yr-old.
I wonder if the art teacher would let Lisa sit in on the art class to support her daughter? No, it turns out that the reason they gave for not accepting Millie into the class is that it wouldn't be 'fair to the other kids'. You see, the other kids are normal, and they might feel awkward if a child with autism joined their class.
Actually, Lisa says she also offered to help with Millie in the drama class. What reason could they possibly have for rejecting her?
Millie can't get into an art class, either. This time I'm surprised. I don't see how Millie would need extra support in an art class, especially since I've seen her drawings. They are amazing for a 13-yr-old.
I wonder if the art teacher would let Lisa sit in on the art class to support her daughter? No, it turns out that the reason they gave for not accepting Millie into the class is that it wouldn't be 'fair to the other kids'. You see, the other kids are normal, and they might feel awkward if a child with autism joined their class.
Actually, Lisa says she also offered to help with Millie in the drama class. What reason could they possibly have for rejecting her?
Me - painted by 'A' 2011
I can imagine the effect it would have on the other kids, if they had a child on the spectrum in their class. They might realise that it's normal for some people to be different.
These kids might see the struggles which some people experience in their everyday lives. They might discover that people who are lacking in social and emotional skills often have other amazing skills. Maybe they would come to value and enjoy people on the spectrum for who they are. They might learn to get on with others who aren't like them in every respect.
These 'normal' kids are being denied the opportunity of having a kid with autism in the class and to me, that doesn't seem fair.
These kids might see the struggles which some people experience in their everyday lives. They might discover that people who are lacking in social and emotional skills often have other amazing skills. Maybe they would come to value and enjoy people on the spectrum for who they are. They might learn to get on with others who aren't like them in every respect.
These 'normal' kids are being denied the opportunity of having a kid with autism in the class and to me, that doesn't seem fair.
RSS Feed
