04/23/2023
This is vital to understand as we navigate the world of teaching childing with varying abilities.
Children can be gifted and developmentally disabled. Neither of these cancels out the other, and both parts have needs.
This is even seen within academic subjects. For example, my son is gifted in math. However, he is grade level in geometry and 3 years ahead in algebraic reasoning. This doesn't mean that he shouldn't continue working in algebraic reasoning or stop his growth to catch up in geometry. We work on both of these.
Just because he can't tie his shoes doesn't mean he can't learn chemistry in 3rd grade (he did).
Just because he needs support with buttons doesn't mean he can't start learning about quantic mechanics in 4th grade (he did).
Just because some skills lag doesn't mean other skills can't be on target or advanced.
Too often, linear thinkers believe that all people must have a foundation of certain skills in order to "advance" to learn new skills.
This linear perspective has a basis of presumed incompetence. That if a person can't master one skill, then there's no possible way that the person can master another skill that is perceived to be more difficult.
Autistic people specifically are known for "splinter skills." This means we might struggle with some skills and excel with some skills. And it isn't predictable.
This is why we see viral memes about autistic people who can't tie their shoes, but are successful attorneys.
This is also why autistic people who struggle with executive functioning are really great at their jobs but get written up or fired from their jobs because they're often late. Those soft skills may not be there, but their actual job skills are exceptional.
When a linear thinker is trying to teach skills to an autistic person, they have a notion that autistic skills are fragile. That if we can't master a skill, the cups can no longer be stacked. That if we lose a skill, a cup in the cup stacking pyramid is removed, and our entire skill set will collapse. This. Isn't. Our. Reality.
We cannot presume that a person who needs support with certain skills can't master skills that are far more advanced. That's linear (and colonial) thinking.
Because there are autistic accountants who can't hold a social conversation.
Because there are autistic teachers who can't feel when they need to eat, drink, or use the restroom.
Because there are autistic people working far too hard for subminimum wage, who would be making a living wage if people believed in them and empowered them to move past the soft skills and move onto the things they're passionate about.
Because there are autistic people who have absolutely no income, are unhoused, have food insecurity, and they are disqualified from support because they struggle with executive functioning.
Skills are not cup stacking.
Image: turquoise background with red cups stacked in a pyramid. Black text reads: skills are not cup stacking
