I'm thinking about my eldest daughter. It is fascinating talking to her now (16) about what she remembers form when she was younger and at Primary School. At Primary School she became extremely anxious and didn't want to stay at school without me. Back in 2004 no one had heard of Autism in Nelson - at least not in the mainstream schools.
I was so happy to met another parent whose children came to the school whose mother was a world renowned Autism expert in England. This mum knew her stuff about Autism. The principal hired her to help me and my daughter. From my perspective she was like an Angel, what a gift, I finally felt validated and had some ideas on what to do!
So she told me of the 'best practice' stuff to help with anxiety. We went about setting up all the 'obvious' changes to my daughters classroom. We did out the storeroom and made a lovely quiet place with her own box of goodies. We moved her desk to a 'quiet' place in the classroom. We made a journal up with pics in it so her teacher could use pictures with her to communicate and she could use pictures to ask for help from her teacher. We asked for some technology to help with her writing, as handwriting was difficult. And a couple of other things as well.
Of course, you know what happened don't you... My daughter rejected all of it. She wouldn't have a bar of it at all!
Now at 16 she tells me off. Mum, I hated all that stuff you did to me in Primary school. I hated being different. I hated you making me leave the classroom and go and talk to all those people.
UDL allows in the most powerful way, for difference to be accepted by everyone. What would have made my daughter less anxious and more included? Probably if everyone was able to access the quiet space and the fun box. If everyone had access to pics to express their desires. The teacher was very rigid and very black and white. UDL allows colour into the classroom while keeping everyones dignity to be included alive.
