Those four letters were her first words.
The words that opened the ears, the eyes, of those around her.
The words that opened the minds of any who have heard her story, her voice.
As an Educational Assistant in a Middle School, I often spend my days as an adventurer, a detective. I am always on the lookout for the key.
It is an invisible key that I am searching for, in a quest to unlock the door into the minds of students I work with, directly, or indirectly.
For some students the key might be simply taking tests in a quiet room, away from the classroom.
For some students the key might be to alter/adapt assignments and tests so that they only get one page, one question at a time so as to not overload their anxiety-laden minds.
For some students the key might be to have someone else scribe/write for them, or a keyboard to tap out the information they need to communicate.
For Carly Fleishmann, the skills she had learned on her keyboard, were the key to her voice. And what a bright voice she has!
Carly is a Canadian girl, from Toronto, Ontario. She is a twin to her sister. At the age of three, she was diagnosed with Autism. She is non-verbal, so technology, and education to use it, was required to give her the opportunity to express herself.
There is so much more about Carly.
She, and her father (Arthur) wrote a book (right) about her life, experiences and Autism.
She has been interviewed on numerous networks.
But, what I really, really, really (get the point? I REALLY want this) hope, is that you will click on the link (below).
When you do you will open Carly’s Cafe … wait for the cup of coffee to fill.
There is a very brief video collection of Carly growing up.
Then, the rest of the video is from your perspective (Carly’s perspective) of life inside of the body of one with autism.
Did I say PLEASE?
Because I really, really, really hope that you will click on the following link :
This week I am back in the classroom, as a student. A colleague and I are taking a course on Autism, and it has been amazingly fascinating! We are learning lots, wanting to try it all out and feeling a sense of information overload!
itsawonderfilledlife 