My daughter has finished school, yet I recently contemplated the subjects offered by our education system and their relevance to the community. This moment of deep thought was inspired by a Facebook meme that pointed out how it would be nice if the same amount of time was spent teaching people to communicate with Autistic children as is spent on teaching Autistic children how to share with the rest of the world.
Whilst I believe we have a great education system in Australia, I could not help but think about subjects that could be replaced with more beneficial topics. For example, if a student wants to learn Japanese, German or any other language, they can do that externally. This subject could be replaced with sign language.
Could you imagine how much easier life would be for the deaf if learning to sign was considered as important as learning English? The possibilities it would open and the increase of strength within the community? After all, how many students are actually going to go to that Country?
Perhaps instead of learning a language, it would be more apt to teach cultures, traditions, and respectful communication with those from other countries. So many things we do as Australians are highly offensive to different cultures, and whilst some have the belief that “they came to our Country, they need to adapt to us not the other way around”, the truth is, international business will be more dominate as we move into the future. Many countries learn to speak English. Others use translators; however, regardless of how well you speak the language, great respect can be earned and strong relationships formed if you simply do not show disrespect – and disrespect is displayed differently in each culture.
Other subjects which, in my opinion, fall into this line of reasoning would be First Aid, basic Cognitive Behavioural and Neurolinguistic Programming techniques to help with life and business success, the traits of dominant mental illnesses found in the community such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia, ADHD, Autism and others and what to consider when interacting with these people.
Perhaps I am wrong. However, as a mother of a mildly Autistic child, I can confidently say that life would be so much easier for her if she entered an adult world where everyone had a basic level of understanding about why she behaves as she does and not be fearful of it. Would the increase of acceptance reduce the build-up of depression and exhaustion from someone trying so hard to understand a world that clearly does not want to understand them?
How much more helpful would it be for our first responders if everyone knew First Aid and could stop at a scene of an accident to provide temporary assistance. How many more lives would be saved?
All of these things can be taught regardless of age. Perhaps it is time for a rethink of our primary and secondary education curriculum.