Self-Improvement
Autistic Boy Fails His School Exams – Teacher Sends Him Home With A Powerful Letter That Immediately Went Viral
If your child, or a child of a close friend or relative has received a diagnosis of autism, you were probably feeling overwhelmed to hear that information.
It is never easy to learn that someone you love has a serious health or developmental condition. Learning everything about the disorder and where to get help will ease your fear and confusion. It can also provide the tools you need to find the support that children with autism and you really need.
Now, 11-year-old Ben Twist lives with autism, and his mother Gail was baffled when her son gave her a letter after he failed the SAT test.
When she saw the letter, she probably thought that it stated that Ben needs to work harder to improve his grades, but the letter had nothing of the sort.
Despite the fact that he failed his SAT tests, his teacher gave him an awe-inspiring letter.
Image source: Gail Twist/Twitter
The letter
Mrs. Clarkson sent him home with a touching letter that let him know just how skilled he is, and what exactly he brings to the table.
The letter 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.”
Image source: Gail Twist/Facebook
The response
Upon reading the letter, Ben’s mom Gail found herself tearing up.
Mrs. Clarkson’s letter went on to list the things Ben was good at, things that a usual school test can’t measure.
“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”
Image source: Gail Twist/Twitter
The world surely needs more people like Mrs. Clarkson! It would’ve been easier to send letter about how Ben needs to improve or change. Smart and compassionate people like Mrs. Clarkson know that judging a fish on its ability to climb a tree is as pointless as judging a monkey on its ability to swim in deep waters.
We hope that Ben takes his teacher’s words to heart always remembers that his value should never be measured by the results of a school test.
Share this article if you think teacher’s like Mrs. Clarkson deserve widespread praise and recognition!
