Sharing Stories
My son, Jason Beckman is 16. He is autistic and he is nonverbal. Up until this year, he has, for the most part, attended an out of district school with a minimal amount of integration.
This year is his first year in an academic setting. He is excelling in Biology and Math and enjoys writing.
This is his first attempt at writing poetry. This was done as an assignment for his sports literature class in which he was to write something about what it is like to be in a new school.
Jason uses support at the wrist, facilitates with several people, and is like a different person since he has been attending an integrated high school!
Sharon L. Famie
Raymond, NH 03017
On Being New
by Jason Beckman
It is hard being new!
It is like seeing nonsense
Either I am on target or I miss the boat!
It is like listening to my own thoughts.
I listen, but I cannot hear them!
My song is a roaring.
I do not hear my lonliness.
On Autism
by Jason Beckman
Autism ... a medical term
Do I develop every heresy if I see inside?
The child in me is hidden inside.
It is my decision.
The purpose of Facilitated Communication In Maine is to promote the appropriate use of facilitated communication through education, technical assistance, and support to people with disabilities, parents, educators, speech and language pathologists support providers, and other interested individuals. The project provides up-to-date information on current best practices, introductory and advanced workshops on the technique, resources regarding theoretical and practical components of facilitated communication and ongoing support to a network of resource persons who provide local education and support to other facilitators.
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