As many of the teachers discovered, the skills they learned in the course are applicable for teaching many children with communication, learning and behaviour problems, not just those with autism. The support of school boards, schools, parents, the Windsor-Essex chapter of Autism Society Ontario and other local organizations has been essential in making the vital practicum component of the course feasible. Their enthusiastic co-operation reflects the urgency these families feel and their commitment to helping teachers learn about autism. Elizabeth Starr is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and an assistant professor at the University of Windsor, where she teaches special education and educational psychology. She has taught students with moderate intellectual disabilities in Alberta and completed a post-doctorate fellowship in autism research in London, England.
Autism is a severe life-long disability that typically occurs in the first three years.
This is the severest form of autism-spectrum disorder. Individuals with autism have severe and pervasive impairments in communication and reciprocal social interaction skills. Approximately 50 per cent fail to develop speech and in those who do, a marked impairment in many aspects of language is evident. They also demonstrate a markedly restricted repertoire of behaviour and may have stereotyped and repetitive mannerisms such as hand or finger flapping. About 75 per cent also have mental retardation and approximately one-third of those with autism develop epilepsy by adolescence.