Room 4

Room 4 is an autistic classroom where I was asked to come and observe two of the students in possible need of ESL - English as a Second Language service. They are Luis - with Hispanic background and Johny - a Chinese boy. Both different levels, different languages, different behaviors, different personalities...
I was trying to reach my supervisor for an advice how to actually approach these students to determine their level of English, but no one was actually able to give me any specific instructions as to how to evaluate. So I decided to pull them in my 20 min. "intensive slot" that I have in my schedule, usually dedicated to the newest addtions coming to our school or to students with low scores who need to improve their skills.
I still did not know how to determine their levels, so I decided to come and observe the boys in their familiar environment. I thought it would be the best option for me and them. I knew I could not administer any kind of "Test"...Tests can be so impersonal.
I know nothing about autism, but this will change soon. At first, I was almost panicking about what to do? Where to start? How to approach them? I knew nothing. I mean NOTHING. Well, maybe the Rainman movie with Dustin Hoffman, but one cannot build up knowledge based on a movie...I am a beginner.
The good thing is I pray. So I prayed to God to direct me on this new path I took - to educate autistic students. I have the confidence. I have the Holy Spirit. Now all I need is to take off. And I did.
So I went to room 4 and observed Ms. Jen taking care of 5 autistic students. First thing I noticed was they loved being in that room, all organized, structured and meaningful. You could notice the routine. They loved to know what comes next in their sessions. Luis was peeking at me, but not really acknowledging me. Johny the same thing. They both worked with Ms. Jen. Everything went smoothly.
I thought to myself this would be easy.
The next day I went again. The same room, the same time. I sat behind them by the table. This time Luis looked at me more and even made a short eye contact. And Johny, while he was working on his paper, slipped his hand into mine and held it in. My heart instantly melt. He liked me. It was as if he was saying..."I accept you". I left with a heart filled with warm chocolate lava cake feeling...<3