Teacher’s Letter To An Autistic Child, A Lesson For All

London: Learning difficulties such as autism can be challenging for parents as well as the child, specially in a high-pressure environment. While most schools fail to acknowledge the issue, 11-year-old Ben Twist’s school sent a letter to his mom Gail that took her by surprise.

Ben had failed the SATs and the letter unlike what Gail expected, did not mention anything about why he needs to work harder. The letter from Lansbury Bridge School and Sports College, in St. Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom, instead, was a moral boost for Ben.

Mrs Clarkson, Ben’s teacher, through the touching letter, made sure to make Ben aware of his talents and not what his shortcomings are. She mentions that ‘these tests only measure a little bit of you and your abilities’ and ‘Ben Twist is made up of many other skills and talents that we at Lansbury Bridge see and measure in other ways’.

The letter that brought tears to Gail eyes, reads:

“Dear Ben,

I am writing you to congratulate you on your attitude and success in completing your end of key stage SATs.

Gil, Lynn, Angela, Steph and Anne have worked so well with you this year and you have made some fabulous progress.

I have written to you and your parents to tell you the results of the tests.

A very important piece of information I want you to understand is that these tests only measure a little bit of you and your abilities. They are important and you have done so well, but Ben Twist is made up of many other skills and talents that we at Lansbury Bridge see and measure in other ways.”

“Other talents you have that these tests do not measure include: -Your artistic talents, your ability to work in a team, your growing independence, your kindness, your ability to express your opinion, your abilities in sports, your ability to make and keep friends, your ability to discuss and evaluate your own progress, your design and building talents, and your musical ability.

We are so pleased that all of these different talents and abilities make you the special person you are and these are all of the things we measure to reassure us that you are always making progress and continuing to develop as a lovely, bright young man.

Well done Ben, we are very proud of you.

Best Wishes,

Mrs. Clarkson”