Top of the Spectrum News
Dr. Temple Grandin asserts that manners are essential for developing social skills for those on the spectrum. Grandin shares her personal stories of her Mom teaching her manners while growing up.
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
As a school counselor, I taught manners (in a day when they are often misinterpreted as subservient) as the grease for the wheel of communication in a traditionally mannerly southern US city. In fact, in the last 15 years, our city was voted most mannerly by a national publication – I think Forbes?
So, I taught students manners are the way we communicate respectfully. I told them some people did not have respect in their own homes and may not know how to communicate respectfully with others. As a person of character, it was our responsibility to model character for them. I did not accept one must be respected in order to behave respectfully – as this is a dead end – so many people treat others without common courtesy, much less respect. As always, Temple is right on the mark.