Working (dealing with) children who have Autism; what does it take?

I’m merely an admin for our SpEd department, but from what I’ve seen, anyone can do well in this type of education as long as they have patience, a love for the field and some good organizational skills.

@Mama_Cakes I nearly cracked up at that. I just created this Q.

Someone patient, attentive and caring. And a sense of humor helps too

Patience, patience and more patience…I worked for years in this field and absolutely loved it!

I’ve worked with a boy for a little over 2 years now. The number one thing you need is patience. Some days it’s like trying to beat a brick wall in tennis.

Number 2 for me would be good reasoning skills. All the dedication in the world doesn’t necessarily mean anything if you can’t figure out a way to get through to the afflicted person.

It takes a person who can see beyond the superficial, absolutely. It takes a person who can hear the worst, see the worst, but see the best in the soul that is behind it and struggling with their very personal autism. When there is no filter or a dysfunctional filter between a person and their outside world, it takes a special person to see the whys and wherefores of what they do, understand that, and then react in such a way that can actually communicate something back to the person to help the person. There needs to be an intuitiveness and strength of resolve, to know when to be strict and not let something slide, or to give a little leeway.

A bit of background for reference purposes:
I have been mothering my step-son now for 10 years and it looks like I am going to have to let him go. My relationship with his father is nearing an end and I am more broken up about not having a say in this boys life than I am about losing the marriage. Not that I had much of a say, but I had a regular impact, I think. I know I have to move on, but it is painful. He has turned 18 and starting a more independent time in his life and it looks like he is having a painful transition. I have to break ties that have bound me for 10 years so that I can become my own person again and not beholden to the whims of selfish people so eager to dump their responsibilities. You will also have to learn to be diplomatic with moronic parents.