Learning Center Assists New Student with Autism

Special teaching strategies have been implemented by the High School Learning Center this year to assist a new Columbus School 10th grader with autism.

Piero Cataldo, who comes from Bogota, entered TCS because his parents wanted him to have a regular school experience. Enrique Macia, his new teacher, and Daniela Correa, his shadow, were hired as part of the Learning Center where they created a special curriculum for him.

“I use with Piero a lot of audiovisual support; youtube videos, songs and I use images. Then I show those images to Daniela, then I organize all the information in the GANAG form and then we do the activities inside the classroom,” Macia said.

Macia and Correa modify 10th grade standards because Piero is taught the same subjects as other 10th-grade students, plus French. The standards are adjusted to practical activities with clear instructions so that Piero understand the topic’s basics.

“Sometimes we need to work on other things, so we work in the office. Also, sometimes in the library when he needs to read something because he concentrates more there,” Correa said.

Before going to his classroom, Piero receives precise instructions from Macia, then goes to class accompanied by his shadow Correa to practice the skill of topic being studied. The shadow’s role is important as limits are put by Correa and she leads him everywhere to assist him.

“We want that Piero has the opportunity to learn with other students in the same classroom. We don’t want Piero working alone, we don’t want Piero doing activities by himself just because he needs to know,” Macia said.

Working with his classmates will help him improve his social and life skills. Piero is a slow learner so Macia and Correa focus on enhancing his learning ability and simultaneously his social skills.

“Sometimes you’re very anxious about having results because I want to see that Piero is improving very fast but that’s not possible, that’s not important,” Macia said.

Patience is the most important ability to take into account when helping Piero. He can’t learn in an immediate way because autism is a mental condition in which the person affected by it, has difficulties in communicating, using language and relating themselves with other people.

“Piero is just another human being, he is not a sick person, he is not a special person, he is a human being like you, like me and that’s what we are trying to show to the other people,” Macia said.