First interaction with Special needs pupils within my classroom

On first briefing of my Hdip year at my school Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown we were all informed of the special needs pupils that where in our classes and some have severe learning disabilities and maybe hard to adapt to the classroom environment.

I was informed unlike the rest of the 6 Dips students I will be teaching 2nd years and 4th years. I will have one one 'Special Needs' student in my 2nd year class. Pupil A suffers from Aspergers syndrome within the autistic spectrum of Autism. I was told he had an SNA(Special needs assistant) and she will be in the art class with him in 2 out of the 4 classes pupil A has.

At first I was alarmed being given the responsibility of teaching a 2nd year group and 4th year group in comparison to my other dips who all taught 1st years. I was also unnerved but really positive at the prospect of having a special needs pupil in my 2nd year class, I felt at first having very little past experience with autistic people in general that is was a good thing as I will be coming into the class room environment fresh faced and having no pre conceived notions I felt I was able to work with Pupil A.

 Having received the news I was teaching Pupil A, I researched Autism and Aspergers syndrome to better myself with knowledge and to be more equipped. I soon learned pupil A is high functioning and through recommendations from the resource teacher in the school, before I was introduced to the class. The resource teacher was really helpful and recommended me to read 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time' by Mark Haddon.