This evening I attended the presentation and Q&A session with Barb and Lois. Because we have discussed Barb so much in class and because I have read a fair amount about her and watched some of her videos, I felt as though I knew what to expect when meeting her. I also had about 100 questions which I wanted to ask. I think what surprised me most about meeting Barb was the time and effort it took on her part and on the part of Lois and her aid in helping to have Barb's voice heard. When one reads her writings or listens to them, they flow so nicely, and are so succinct, that I think I envisioned her typing away on a keyboard knocking out 100 words a minute. Obviously this is not the case, which causes me to be in awe of her all the more. What frustration she must face on a daily basis, with all those words and thoughts built up in her head, and only a slow dripping faucet with which to express them.
In terms of what I took away from meeting Barb which might relate to my teaching, I would say that it should give all of us, regardless of whether we are working in special education or not, extra patients. If someone so bright and willing to engage is prepared to work tirelessly in order to communicate their thoughts (Barb took 6 years to write her book!!) then we as educators can surely take the time to facilitate this communication. I also feel horrible for the many thousands of autistic individuals who do not have access to the therapy and technology to which Barb has access too. How many brilliant minds are out there locked in a jail cell or down a well, yearning to be heard?
I think my assumptions were initially contradicted on this subject last year when I watched a video on another autistic individual, a teenage girl, who once having access to the technology, like Barb, began demonstrating just how much they have going on inside their brains. I'm not not sure what my assumptions were prior to that, since I truly didn't understand autism. Maybe I thought they were all slow. Maybe I thought there was no way for them to communicate - I don't know. What I do know is that Barb is a shining example of how, with the help of educated professionals and modern technology, disabilities can fade into the background.
A few other thoughts:
I wanted to ask Barb, "if a magic pill existed which would immediately transform her into a "normal", would she have wanted to have been given that pill as a child". I think I know the answer, but I would have liked to have asked it all the same.
I can understand why there might be some degree of controversy surrounding the use of facilitated communication, and this ties in with what Barb said about her relationship with her brother. Although I don't know the circumstances, I have the feeling that Barb's brother probably believes that Lois is doing a lot of the "talking" for Barb, and that maybe she is overemphasizing Barb's abilities. I might consider this also, except that you (Elizabeth) know Barb intimately, and my trust in you precludes that possibility for me.
Lastly (and this shouldn't be taken as a lecture from anyone who attended tonight, just me being me) I was a little frustrated that no one else asked any questions of Barb. This remarkable woman took the time to come and speak to us, yet no one had questions?? As I said above I had 100 questions, but decided after my 2nd to email her rather than hold everyone in the room. Sheesh I guess that did sound like me telling you off fellow students :o Oh, well, ya'll will get over it (=
Okay well this is me signing off. This has been an absolutely awesome class, and everyone (students and Elizabeth) were a big part of that. Thanks for helping to make Wednesday nights an adventure for the last 5 months - good luck teaching!!!
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