We Said, They Said

Although the unique demands of educating a child with autism requires parents and educators to work together, their ability to do so is often hampered by a lack of understanding of each other’s motivations and limitations. This book voices what parents and educators need to say to each other—but don’t. It explains why each feels as they do and then fills the chasms with understanding.

When parents and educators disagree, our kids lose. So why are reasonable parents and compassionate educators seeing things differently? After listening to hundreds of parents, teachers, and school administrators, Cassie Zupke has the answer. Although the unique demands of educating a child with autism requires parents and educators to work together, their ability to do so is often hampered by a lack of understanding of each other’s motivations and limitations. This book voices what parents and educators need to say to each other—but don’t. It explains why each feels as they do and then fills the chasms with understanding. They can now focus on what everyone wanted to in the first place—helping the children.

Cassie Zupke is the mother of three wonderful teenaged children, who, between them, have mild autism, ADHD, and physical impairments. They are also chronic geeks, just like their parents. When her children were young, Cassie could find no one who could explain to her what “high-functioning autism” was or how she could help her son make it through the school day. Five long, hard years later, she found a special-education teacher who knew why her son did what he did and could teach him to navigate the world better. Cassie decided she didn’t want other parents and teachers to have to face the same frustrations and worries that she had. Cassie founded Open Doors Now, a nonprofit education and support group for students with mild autism, their families, and educators, and she serves as its director. In the past 10 years, Open Doors Now has educated thousands of parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals about autism and how it affects our children and young adults. Owing to the hard work and dedication of the incredible volunteers at Open Doors Now, hundreds of kids have found friends, learned a few social skills, and had a lot of fun.