The Real Boys
In 2013, Montgomery County Schools in
Maryland approved a pilot program for 5 non verbal boys with autism.
After a full year of meetings and intense advocating on behalf of the parents,
the "Real Boys" entered general education classes with a 1:1 aide to help
them facilitate communication through typing. All 5 have succeeded and
flourished in mainstream classes. By presuming their competence, Montgomery
County has forever changed the course of these boys lives.
Jack Allnutt is one of the Real Boys. He
is 13 years old and started typing to communicate in November 2012 after being
"locked in his silent prison" for 10 years. Since being
mainstreamed, Jack has made Honor Roll every semester.
I came casted as a mute farther behind
everyone in worldly directions.
Answering eagerly to fast calculus
problems that were in my head yet, just seated tiresomely for hours reviewing
simple numbers. Rewarded with labeled autistic behavior. How would autism
always permanently determine learning when limitless populations of teachers don’t
realize our great capacity for knowledge? I peered into windows around school
and saw my schoolmates learning history and math and science. I hoped
real education would find a place for me one day answering my prayers.
Having real classroom learning isn’t foreign
to me and the Real Boys anymore. Now I attend Lakelands Middle School and I’m
dealing quite well. Teach subjects I never thought I would know and
excelling. Can’t claim all autistics can type but
it has left me free from my apparently silent autism prison. Am too happy
people see me as intelligent.
Keep Soaring Jack! Soon the rest will follow!! What an inspiration you are to so many!
ReplyDeleteThis is truly so inspiring.... We have started inclusive education this year and are so committed to making it work!!!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to all the Real boys and girls of the world!!
Jack,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to communicating with you and can imagine being your "tutor" on your passion for knowledge/understanding of stock market.