Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Suwon4AGT]

Last week at the hagwon, a new student arrived. The parents want their child, a very bright young 11 year old boy, to learn to deal with his "social problems" and cure his classroom outbursts.

From my previous job as a PSR (psycho-social rehabilitation specialist, i.e. one who educates clients about their mental illness and help them develop coping skills), I knew within the few minutes with spending time with this boy, that he has basically all of the symptoms of autism.

I attempted to pass this information onto the director and suggested to her that if this child does in fact have autism, that it would not be in our best interest to attempt to integrate the child into our classrooms, in that we would be doing serious harm to the child. But as you can imagine, the director would hear none of it. And even after I listed all of the symptoms of autism, the director even agreed that it could be possible, but that Korea doesn't have any such doctors or mental health experts that could make such a diagnosis.

In any other time in my life, I would have told any boss with that level of stupidity and immorality to go to hell. But being so close to the end of my contract, I basically have to keep my mouth shut, as I get to endure watching this child get tortured.

Man, I can't stop thinking about it. This thing just sickens me to even be a part of. I know that there really isn't anything I can do. But I just had to vent and get it off my chest. March 2010 can't get here fast enough!!

[The Goalie]

I don't know much about autism (though I think one of my students may have it). What are the serious effects of integrating an autistic child into a regular class?

[Suwon4AGT]

[dunc180]

Certainly a tough situation.

I gather from your previous job that you would have learnt a bit about kids with autism so your probably in a better position to teach him than most.

I had a practicum recently (in Australia, studying education) where many of the students were autistic. It was challenging, to say the least, but there was always a teacher aide in the room to help out when needed.

There are a few things that I've learned on my studies to support these kids though. Things like limiting the use of metaphor, allegory and sarcasm (kind of a given in ESL anyway), outlining on the white board what will be taught in the lesson and using lots of visual aids. Those things would be useful in any classroom, but they are especially important for kids with Autism.

If you could get a Korean staff member to sit in occasionally might help too. But I'm not sure how realistic that is.

All the best.

[The Goalie]

It sounds like like you know what you're talking about but you didn't really answer the question regarding the effects of integrating an autistic child into the classroom. I'm even more curious now given your description because you could have been describing the student I was thinking of... he's brilliant, he can reel off the latin names of all the dinosaurs and state the phylogenetic ancestry of the birds (he's in grade 5) but he has bouts of erratic behavior and it's difficult to teach him really basic things if they fall outside his areas of interest. He has temper tantrums and all that but I'm not sure what pulling him out of the education system would do for him...

[lifeinkorea]

Is it possible to divide class time so 10 or 20 percent of class time is more geared to teaching the "other students"? I try to teach most of the class, and then I take note of the individuals who are not paying attention. I then go to them and make sure something is done. If I can re-teach quicker, I do that, if not I do something else before class ends.

You may not be able to change your circumstances, and I have been told on several occasions I am not the owner or principal

[Suwon4AGT]

[nautilus]

I have one student who has learned zero, I mean zero over the past year.
I mean she's an adorable child but she can't focus, can't write basic letters or speak basic words. In the same time period, her classmates have mastered the alphabet and spelling and reading of simple words. She's still at day one.

The Korean teachers say she hasn't progressed a jot in korean or any other subject either. I think this may be autism but I don't really know.She's certainly not agressive or violent though.

[kg2095]

[Big Mac]

The lack of understanding or compassion for people with mental illnesses in Korea is shocking.

[LexusNexus]

[guava]

As he is going to be your student, could you use it as an opportunity to educate him about his mental illness and learn how to utilize coping strategies?

[The Gipkik]

I've had autistic children in my regular public school classes in China and in Thailand. One thing I had to remind myself was that I was in a situation beyond my control--contract or no contract. I was not in a position to act as the child's saviour. I knew I was leaving and when I was gone the child would still be there going through the same rituals and classes. With or without me. Best to show compassion and patience with the child, spend a few minutes of extra class time or your spare time getting to know and understand the child, and leave with the conviction that you at least left a positive impression with him or her.

[WavFunc]

He'll just be labelled an invalid or an idiot of some sort by his peers. He won't get any special attention or psychiatric help other than the broad side of a stick. Sad, but true.

[bbonthec]

Man, that's hard. I would suggest trying to get the parents' phone number from the office records during the next few months. It shouldn't be too hard; most academies write each kid's contact numbers in multiple places. Then, when your contract comes to a close, arrange to have a Korean friend phone the parents and explain your professional evaluation of the child. It's quite possible that the parents are not even aware he's autistic, and that they could better spend their hagwon money to get the poor kid some quality help.

Until then, you're gonna have to help him though. I had one kid in one of my classes who was probably autistic, or maybe severe ADD or something. He definitely had a much more severe problem than any other student I've taught yet though. He drove me crazy, and the other students tormented him relentlessly. One thing I found that helped was to simply make it clear to the other kids that being mean is not permissible. Be nice to the poor kid, and his classmates will start being nice too (or they'll at least tolerate him).

Other things that helped me teach this kid (let's call him Johnny): I made him sit at the front of the class, right next to my desk. At the beginning of every class, I made a point of saying to him, "Hi Johnny, do you remember what we talked about before? Listen to the teacher, and no hitting." Just two rules, keep it easy for him to remember. Repeated at the beginning of every class. Every time his attention started to waver, I'd say his name. Kind of annoying to have to say "Johnny" a hundred times every class, but you get used to it fast. I also had a big plastic squeaky hammer toy that I'd use to bonk his desk when he wouldn't listen to me. I never hit him, only his desk. It wasn't threatening at all -- he thought the hammer was funny, but it also served to get his attention, and I would follow up with "Johnny, remember, listen to the teacher and no hitting" again. He'd sort of be like, "Oh yeah...", and would go back to normal again. Basically, I just did my best to keep the kid focused on ME, and not on the other students, and he actually learned a little English in the process.

It is quite likely that your autistic student won't last until March anyways. I would still suggest trying to find his parents' phone number though. You might be able to actually do a little good.

Edit: Of course, I don't know anything about how to properly teach an autistic child, and it is more likely that my little Johnny had severe ADD instead. I just wanted to share some of my ideas. I think it might be possible to teach this kid, if you devote enough time and effort to it.