Field Trip: Barb Rentenbach

On December 4th, 2013, I had the privilege of seeing Barb Rentenbach's presentation in Hodges library.  Barb has autism must communicate via iPad and a stylus.  She talked about one overarching theme: "Teachers, please embrace your power to be..."  followed by five categories on how teachers can embrace students with autism and/or aspergers syndrome.  She wrote a book over the course of ten years with a team of psychologists.  As the book gained a following, so did her popularity.  She is now known worldwide and even had the exclusive chance of turning her book into an audiobook for free.  Her ultimate goal in life is to be able to be self-sustaining financially just like any one else.  She started her own publishing company and is well on her way to achieving that goal.  Barb says, "autism is not my prison, it is my prism."

1. ...be open
A.  Providing alternative forms of communication for those who do not speak is as important as education gets.

• Barb must use "facilitated communication" to talk to people.  She must type with a facilitator physically supporting her movement to help stabilize movement, reduce impulsive pointing, and preservations (repetition of the same motor response).

B.  Barb suffers from a case of apraxia.  The National Institute of Health defines apraxia as, "a neurological disorder characterized by loss of the ability to execute or carry out learned movements despite having the desire and ability to perform them.  Her goal with FC is to make progress toward independent typing.

2. ...be part of the solution

A.  Do not exclude austisic people from the general public.  She wants teachers to stand out from the crowd and welcome autism into the class.  One way is through constantly thanking them with good behavior.  For example, always saying thank you or yes, good job.  Her own brother has chosen to stop communicating with her because he does not believe in FC.

B.  It took only one teacher, Andrea Reynolds, to stand out from the crowd and treat her as an equal being.  Reynolds taught from her heart and changed Barb's reality and course.  It just takes one teacher.  Be that for someone.

3. ...be informed

A.  Here she wants us to talk about and be mindful of sex education.  Just because nobody talks about it, does not mean it is not a real issue.

4. ...be mindful

A.  Here she encourages us to be mindful of nonverbal communication.  Autistics understand the reality of impermanence.  Autism may serve to provide the individual time and space to contemplate and meditate more so than any convent or monastery, referring to Tibetan monks.

B.  Motivating autistics can be a tricky task.  Teachers must make participating in things outside of the autistic mind interesting, safe, and low-stress.  Do not give up.  Encourage everyone to enjoy and appreciate the process as much as the product.

5. ...be you

A.  Finally, Barb wants more teachers who live and love what they teach.  Never forget who we are and why we have chosen this profession.

When I first walked into the room, I felt so sad for Barb and how fortunate I am to be in good health.  I felt this way until I saw a smile on her face when typing to us.  I knew that she has embraced her condition and is doing everything in her power to make the best of it.  It is going to take some time to get used to having autistic children in my class.  Right now, I really am not sure how I am going to tackle this situation.  But based on what I learned tonight, my best option would be to treat them like anyone else.  I must be the teacher that stands out and acts different towards people with disabilities.  I am thankful to have time to go watch this awesome woman tonight.  Such a good day.