Ellen Notbohm, Author

It goes without saying that each child with autism, each parent, each teacher and each school district is different, so I won't presume to speak for an author who writes from her own experience. But I generalized her comment on testing to the Big Picture, and in my experience it is one of the most critical communication issues within autism. ... Ver maisWhether testing for language, IQ, SAT or state standards, "typical" verbal adults design tests that in no way accommodate a communication style other than their own, and then declare those who communicate differently as having "failed." The failure is in the test, not the testee. I encountered this at every turn in the school system, fought it, wrote about it, will continue to fight it and hate it as long as it unfairly disadvantages my sons and all others who communicate differently. It's the reason I will decline to subject my son to the SAT next year. Their solution to testing different learners is to give them more time on the test -- as if that solves all communication differences. "Not everyone is neurologically “wired” for verbal communication," says Bill Stillman, an adult with Asperger's, in his article "Presuming Intellect. "This is not the same as not having something to say. It is unacceptable to accept that because someone doesn’t speak, there’s nothing we can or should do." I believe it's incumbent upon all "testers" to extrapolate this to all different communicators. (Read Bill's article on my website at http://www.ellennotbohm.com/stillman.html.)

Thank you , Kim. Very helpful!

I appreciate the kudos. Permission conditions sent via email.

Within the autism community, I'd say this is well known. There are many factions within the community, many approaches and many viewpoints...many of which don't intersect. And shouldn't.

@Linda: he just needed the right "pipe." And he plays the trumpet too. He's a righteous dude. @Monica: a terrific writer yourself, girlfriend. Message/email me the latest on your book so we can post it here.

Great resource page, Susan. As for becoming an honorary Bostonian...love that too, being from Portland and being a history buff -- Portland came within a coin toss of being named Boston. Let me know when you see anything here that you'd like to repost.

Message me if you'd like your books signed...

Thanks for the kudos, Andy. Temple gets around a lot more than I do. Check her website for her long list of speaking engagements. She is a very entertaining and informative speaker.

@Carol: and how is David doing?
@Michelle: and how is JP doing?