The importance of teaching writing to a child with autismA child with autism is often described as being confined in his or her own world. This is because the child has limited ability to interact with other people. A specific character of the autistic spectrum is the inability to properly grasp the concept of language.Teaching writing to a child with autism can prove very valuable to both the teacher and the student. On the student’s side there are a variety of advantages that he or she can gain from the ability to write. In teaching a child with autism to write, you give him or her the precious ability of interaction. Autistic children often fail to communicate with other people because face-to-face verbal interaction is just too intimidating for them. Writing, however, allows them to express their feelings on a much more impersonal level.  Did you know that computers are now being used to enhance the communication skills of autistic children? Teaching writing to a child with autism will equip him or her with the knowledge necessary to improve his or her communication skills. This is because teaching writing to a child with autism helps him or her to initiate the interaction. Teaching writing to a child with autism does not only help him or her in developing communication skills. It also helps them to develop hand-eye coordination and grace in movement. Many people react with disbelief when informed of this fact. However, when you study the history of specific cultures you will see the meaning behind this. Miyamoto Musashi, also known in Japan as the sword saint, developed his swordsmanship through calligraphy. In fact, when you study Chinese martial arts history, you will find that many warriors took up calligraphy in order to improve their skill. And what do you think calligraphy is? It is learning how to write beautifully. Autism and Education Let’s now switch to the teacher’s perspective. What advantages can teaching writing to a child with autism possibly give to the teacher? Well, there is always self-fulfillment. Abraham Maslow categorizes the need for self-actualization as the highest need that a man can fulfill. This means that the quest for self-fulfillment is the noblest quest known to man. In teaching writing to a child with autism, people find self-fulfillment because they learn how to take pride in the achievements of the student. They realize just how much impact teaching writing to a child with autism has. They learn the value of their help and just how much progress they have made with the child. They also learn how to appreciate their own abilities. Because of the development of technology, many people forget the value of being able to write. The cause seems to be that they do not really need the skill since they can send any message using the keyboard. The skill of writing is especially diminishing today because people can send messages using video or audio. Teaching writing to a child with autism lets them rediscover the value of being able to write. As you may have seen, there are many advantages to be gained from teaching writing to a child with autism. Autism Guides The importance of teaching writing to a child with autism Autism Checklist |