blog-thing : Back to School at Heron Corn Mill

Back to School at Heron Corn Mill

Yesterday I spent a very pleasant morning at Heron Corn Mill talking to a group of artists about the needs of children with autism and other special educational needs. Some of them will be coming to work with my pupils in the autumn term.

Kate who set the whole thing up has worked with us before. John Hall is currently artist in resdence at another local school. Shaun is a musician and an old friend. Iain is an actor/interpreter who comes into schools in role and helps bring history alive. Annie is an an artist and Audrey, the development officer. I do not have a web reference for Annie but here is Iain in role as John Ruskin, helping out with the Ruskin centenary celebrations at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston.

After my talk there was a lively discussion that focused mainly on the creative tension that exists between the need to provide well planned, structured experiences that will provide enjoyment and stimulation in a safe environment and the desire to encourage the children to take risks and explore their own creativity. As i described it, the challenge is to take them to the edge of their comfort zone and not drive them to retreat within it.

Overall I was impressed by these people’s dedication and the serious thought they gave to working with our children. They are also immensely talented and fun people to have around. Now I am really looking forward to going back to school next month.

Post Script 20/08/08

If you work with kids in the North West of England I heartily recommend these guys. Give them a job. You wont be disappointed. And if yo work with adults go ahead! Why should the kids have all the fun?

August 19th, 2008 Posted by Mike | art, education | one comment

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One Response to “Back to School at Heron Corn Mill”

Comment by laurentius-rex | August 20th, 2008

Excellent what else can I say, I approve not only of art for arts sake but art for auts sake being an autist for arts sake

Ruskin wears the rustic buskin, buskin for his dear life as cheapskate critic, skating on the thin ice of his model wife’s(the censor cut it there)

My Background

I am Mike Stanton. I live and work in the UK where I teach children with severe learning difficulties, many of whom are autistic. My adult son is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. I am a member of the National Autistic Society. I speak and write on autism.

My book, “Learning to Live with High Functioning Autism” is available in a Spanish translation, Convivir con el Autismo. I have also contributed a chapter to Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence edited by Liane Holliday Willey.

ACTION FOR AUTISM is a reaction against names like Action Against Autism and Defeat Autism Now! Names like these suggest to autistic people that we are against them as people. You may not mean that. But if you care about autism you ought to care about the feelings of autistic people and not use language that makes them angry or upset. If you disregard the feelings of autistic people do not be surprised if you are disregarded.