In my last post, I shared my reasons for undertaking a Masters in Autism degree, and touched on how going through the process helped shape and modify my approach to, and reasons for, supporting autistic and SEND children. I said that I became immersed in my subject, and was able to draw comparisons between my participants and myself.
Now, I am aware that SEND children and their families face challenges not experienced by the neurotypical and able-bodied. However, I faced my own challenges growing up. As I conducted my research for my dissertation, I began to make these connections, resulting in a catharsis. I hadn’t intended my research to be about me at all, but there we are. I came out of the other side with a mission to put my experience to good use.
I’m going to share my preface with you next. It contextualises the research project.
Preface
I grew up gay in a challenging socio-political climate. In 1987, the year I started secondary school, 75% of people thought that homosexuality was always or mostly wrong. The following year, the Conservative Government introduced Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which stated that local government “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in state schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.1
I existed in an education system that was unable to allow me to be myself. Section 28 was repealed in 2003, 5 years into my teaching career.
I believe no child should be marginalised for real or perceived differences. As a special needs teacher and autism researcher, I am fortunate to have an opportunity to advance equality. The following extracts encapsulate my motivation for undertaking this research:
Being gay has taught me tolerance, compassion and humility. It has shown me the limitless possibilities of living. It has given me people whose passion and kindness and sensitivity have provided a constant source of strength. It has brought me into the family of man, Mama, and I like it here. I like it. (Michael Tolliver’s coming out letter to Mama, ‘More Tales of The City’, by Armistead Maupin, 1980)
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Article I Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948)
That SEND Teacher 