Contributory Activity Creates Path for Success and Self-Discipline – Autism Job Experience

An assistant elementary school principal related this story to Robert Brooks, Ph.D. after attending one of his workshops…

“Your work has helped to save a family. Jerry’s (not his real name) mother sat in my office this fall crying. Jerry had given her difficulty for a few years but had recently become physically violent with her. We had started to see the same thing at school. On the day that Jerry ended up in a physical restraint here, his mother came in and confessed that she hated her own son, then began to sob. She told me that she was thinking about seeing if he could live in a group home because she couldn’t take it anymore.

“I talked with Jerry and told him that I had a problem and thought he might be able to help me. We simply did not have enough custodial help during lunch time. He agreed to help me by wiping down tables and sweeping the floor for a half hour at the end of each lunch day. Our custodians (who are awesome and child-centered) thanked him profusely and gave him authentic compliments about the work he had done. Jerry has not been in trouble since he started his new job three months ago. He is no longer physically violent or disruptive during class.”

This is an excerpt from an article by Dr. Brooks about the benefits of involving children in contributory activities. While he doesn’t state that this particular child was on the autism spectrum, I think it’s obvious that “seeking ways to help them to feel more dignified” is beneficial to all children. Read the complete original article and more about Dr. Robert Brooks here.