Personal Writing
The School of My Dreams by Jamie Burke
What would a school of your dreams look like?
A school of good soft seats and desks that held wonderful books that told of love and kindness to each other. Kids would need to behave in a most kind manner and teasing would be a detention time. Everyone would be asked to join all clubs if desired and pleasing music would play everywhere. The teacher, good and many of them, would only be as we choose. Not assigned by computers. Courses chosen by love of subject and teachers must be excellent in that class. If homework was told to be done time more than one day is given. Lunch would be served in a room far from cooking so smells are not sickening. The lunch would be a time for peaceful eating and not loud talking and annoying bells and whistles which split my ears as a sword in use of killing monsters. All of the new kids would be treated to a monster movie. Dear parents are welcomed to meet really good all dear teachers to tell of kids powers. But my school is very good and people try both teaching and loving me and my autism. So I think I am fearing less now than younger times of my life and joy in life as a boy in a journey to a happy life is even a dream now seen. Respect comes with love and understanding each kid's abilities and the desire to teach so therefore teachers must have a desire to teach everyone. They must realize that their dreams are not ours ask us what we will need to be a independent person later in our life. Teach good skills in a respectful way. Conversations with me will tell you if I m happy.
I am very great at knowing if my teachers move their eyes to say I am to answer. I can tell from their body if I need to type my answer. I think it is a political move to just only give kids access to machines who have the money as any kid needs a way to speak. Being able to tell my thoughts and troubles when I choose. Not when others desire it is time to talk. Doug you are asking very bold questions for a teacher of education are the questions so important as the answers? I believe I will be a scientist searching for answers in the quest to battle autism and brain mysteries. It will take money for me and much work on mom but I am lucky to have wonderful family and teachers who know I will desire success.
Jamie Burke is a frequent presenter in workshops and classes on facilitated communication. He often describes his experiences in using the technique, and demonstrates his continued progress in such areas as typing without physical support, two-handed typing, and accurately reading aloud the text he has just written. This article is in response to a question Doug Biklen asked Jamie to think about in preparation for addressing a teacher education class at Syracuse University.
Many FC users have explored rhetoric as a means to share their experiences with autism and with using Facilitated Communication. To read more personal writings by FC users, scroll down to the piece of writing and click read more.
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