College Professors and HFA in the Classroom

In today's podcast I interview two college professors who discuss their experience with having a student with high functioning autism in their classes.  Both confessed their nervousness about how this would work out, and both come to similar conclusions:  That their classroom experience was enriched by the presence of this student.  Stephen Shore is a graduate student who has discussed this problem from the point of view of the student.  Click on the MP3 download to hear Professors Steve Clark (Psychology) and Pete Stevenson (Sociology) talk about their experience.  The big issue that is raised concerns "who reinforces the reinforcer?"  In other words, how are we going to involve and support college professors and other college staff who, in turn, support college students with Asperger's or HFA.

Download pr5_complete.mp3 (4.47MB; 13mins, 02 secs)

Comments

[gene lossman]

Good thoughs will be looking foward to the out come

[gene lossman]

very good view from both professers. I was in the class of professor Stevenson, and I was amazed at the change in the students actions after a few weeks. Under standtably,many of the students knew that this student had a disabilty,but could not grasp the fact that he couldn't help himself.

[L. Tagen]

College kids with autism should have just as many opportunities in the classroom as everyone else. If teachers see differently because they have a disorder and will be a disruption in the classroom, then what about those with ADD or ADHD? Supporting teachers who take on this kind of responsibility will ultimately get their support from the obvious benefits shown in the results.

[Rachel Schmitt]

I think it's horendous that a teacher wouldn't want to give a student with autism the same attention in a classroom as any regular student. Yes they may be disruptive at some points, but it's not their fault. And in being teacher, I think the teacher should expect they won't have perfect students. People with autism should get the same attention in a classroom,even more, as everyone else.

[Lauren Levinstim]

I think part of the problem here is that people, students in this case, have such a little understanding for people with spectrum disorders. If people understood these disorders more thoroughly it would prevent teachers and students from feeling nervous around them.