Journey of sowing seeds of love for autistic children
Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Anh - a teacher at the Center for School Counseling and Early Intervention (Hanoi Capital University) is a "super mother" with 14 years of accompanying her child with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Recalling the first time when she learned that her child had this syndrome, despite the bitterness and pain, she was still determined to learn and equip herself with special knowledge and teaching methods. And it was that journey that led her to the profession of special education.
“Understanding the hardships of parents with autistic children, 6 years ago, I decided to completely switch to special education. During my career, I realized that each child is a separate world, with different personality traits that can only be understood through true listening. Most autistic children face many difficulties in all areas of development such as language, social communication, cognition... Therefore, when teaching autistic children, I do not stand on the podium to convey theoretical knowledge, but have to listen and accompany the children through every step” - Ms. Tuyet Anh confided.
For Ms. Tuyet Anh, special education is not just a job, but a journey, a mission. There, understanding, patience and love can create miracles. In every teaching hour, she always tries to create space for students to develop in their own way, respecting every small progress, even if it is a simple change like a gesture or a word.
Many challenges but never discouraged
Graduated with honors from Hanoi Capital University, Ms. Hoang Thi Phuong is currently one of the outstanding teachers at the Center for School Counseling and Early Intervention. However, Ms. Phuong has to face many difficulties and pressures in teaching autistic children. One of the biggest challenges Ms. Phuong encountered when starting this job was communicating and building trust with parents. As a teacher of special needs children, she understands that every parent has high expectations for their child's education and early intervention.
“When parents first meet me, they always ask questions and think: Can she teach my child if she is disabled? I understand those concerns, because I myself had to overcome many challenges to get into this profession. Although I cannot avoid the initial skeptical looks, I always tell myself that there is only one way to change their minds: That is to prove it through actual work,” Ms. Phuong confided.
During her teaching career, Ms. Phuong also encountered difficulties in guiding students in physical exercise, because she herself had limitations in her mobility. However, throughout this journey, Ms. Phuong was not alone. She always received help, encouragement and enthusiastic support from her colleagues and teachers at the center.
Besides, Ms. Phuong always believes that "If you go, you will come, and every difficulty will have a solution". For her, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Although sometimes she feels tired, her love for her job and her belief in her children's development are always the motivation for her to continue to strive.
Recalling her first steps in the profession, Ms. Phuong could not help but be moved when talking about the first student she taught - a child with autism spectrum disorder. “When he first started studying, he had many uncontrolled behaviors such as screaming and hurting himself, but after nearly a year of studying, he knew how to fold his arms to greet me and call my name. Those improvements were a great joy to me, a testament to my tireless efforts. This gave me the strength to continue on this difficult but extremely meaningful path,” Ms. Phuong said.
Happiness is seeing the progress of your children.
With more than 10 years of working in the field of Special Education, Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Nga - Director of the Center for School Counseling and Early Intervention - has had a difficult journey but also reaped many "sweet fruits". Ms. Nga has experienced all kinds of emotions, from joy to sadness, from happy smiles to choking tears.
“I remember one time at 10pm, a parent called me, her voice choked up, saying: Teacher, my child knows how to call me mom now! After two years of persistent intervention, from the first steps until the child was 4 years old, she decided to quit her job to wholeheartedly accompany her child. She looked forward to the day when her child could call her 'mom', something other children had done since they were 9-10 months old. When I heard her confide, I couldn't help but be moved. For us, no matter how small or slow the progress is, every change is a joy not only for the teacher and student but also for the whole family. That is the sweet result of a journey full of perseverance and tireless efforts" - Ms. Nga shared.
The mission of teachers of children with autism is not only to support the development of children but also to bring happiness to families. Even small successes are a testament to the patience and unconditional love that teachers have for the children.
On the journey of teaching autistic children, Ms. Nga and other teachers at the center had to persevere every day, patiently for many months to teach the children simple behaviors that normal children can learn in just a few minutes.
“There are many children that we have patiently guided for more than two or three months just to learn how to fold their arms to greet politely, to point, or to understand a simple command. For other children, they can do it after just a few reminders, but for autistic children, this can take months, even years. However, when we see our children finally fold their arms to greet, or react happily to a compliment, the feeling of happiness bursts out and all the tiredness and difficulties disappear. At that moment, we understand that all the perseverance and efforts have been worth it,” Ms. Nga shared.
Teaching autistic children is always a difficult and tiring job, not easy or "peaceful". But no matter how much pressure or frustration there is, just a little progress from the children can make all the teachers' fatigue disappear. That joy is the compensation for the silent sacrifices they have gone through. In each step of the children, there is the boundless love of dedicated teachers, always accompanying and sharing.
