Tutor is always nearby: how Minsk schools conduct classes for children with autism

Many children with autism attend regular schools, but under a special program. With most of the guys there are tutors. What the specialists are doing, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency learned.

School fairy

Daria Tour studied as a psychologist at the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. At the 4th year, her friend saw a vacancy of a tutor (an individual support teacher) in one of the capital's educational institutions. He worked, shared his impressions with classmates, and then Daria became interested in a new profession. In 2017, the young specialist got a job as a tutor in the school No. 187. She helped a boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After his release, the girl was offered to take custody of another boy with features, Myron.

- Tutor is like a fairy, smiles the interlocutor. I am close to the child and perform the functions of a teacher, psychologist, friend. I help throughout the day, I do everything so that the ward does not experience discomfort. In doing so, I am free.

What qualities should such a specialist possess? According to Daria, not only kindness, willpower, but also endurance, the ability to repeat the same thing many times without feeling anger. Remind the child as many times as necessary to develop the skill.

- Unfortunately, I can't abstract. I quickly become attached to children with whom I work for a long time, the interlocutor shares. I take their failures as my own. I want the teacher to be the smartest and best. I do my best to achieve what I want. My profession is constant learning, searching for information. The resource center of the school conducts seminars, webinars, master classes for specialists from other educational institutions of the capital. I constantly read books, listen to lectures, take courses.

I think a lot depends on the abilities of the ward.

- I disagree. My first student was finishing 3rd grade when I became his tutor. He didn’t write or read much, only typed on his laptop. Together with the new defectologist Hope Kotova decided to train him. It turned out to be a good thing.

For a year, thanks to Daria and Hope, the child began to write with his left hand and read. The contribution was made by parents who noticed the success of their son and contributed to his development.

Some subjects children with autism study with a teacher-defectologist, and physical culture, labor training, music, fine arts – with peers in general classes. With most children, there are tutors nearby, who help to adapt to an educational institution, comfortably communicate with others and master the program.

Teachers providing individual support are engaged with autistic children on the recommendation of the Center for Correctional and Developmental Education and Rehabilitation (CCRR).

Separate space

- Classes with special children have been held in the school No. 187 since 2009. The office where I work is equipped with everything I need. This is the merit of the administration and parents, continues D. Tour. At first there were three children. Each had a fenced area with a desk, with a chair and with shelves for personal belongings - this organization of space contributes to a comfortable learning process. Separately - a playing area with fitball, balls, soft seats, air hockey, developing games. There is also a large sensory room with a dry pool, bisiboards, with light rain.

In 2026, an inclusive cafe will appear in US No. 187. In the equipped kitchen, students will be able to master the preparation of sandwiches, pancakes, cookies. It all started with a cooking club.

- The school has a tutor who organized a cooking class for the ward. In the dining room or work room for girls, they together made hot sandwiches, as well as fried cheesecakes, pancakes, potatoes. The idea was appreciated by the children not only from integrated classes – many wanted to learn how to cook.

Deepen knowledge

Integrated classes are formed depending on the request - the statements of parents and the conclusions of the CCROIR. Should mothers and fathers of ordinary children worry if they are enrolled in such a class?

Daria reassures: next to an autistic child there is always a tutor who controls the process.

Sometimes he is not in the mood or something hurts. It is difficult to perceive internal signals of the body and recognize emotions. The main thing is to treat them with understanding, she continues. - Keeping my finger on the pulse. From the first bells I understand that the ward is experiencing tension. If necessary, we leave the classroom for a few minutes.

- How does the class treat your student?

- We were lucky to have a teacher and children. Students help Miron, call to play, says the specialist.

All children have different temperaments and characters. If an ordinary person can adjust to the behavior of people, the situation, then the child with ASD behaves naturally, showing his real feelings.

Photo from the interviewee's archive