For Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, a teacher at Nguyen Trai Primary School in Hanoi, happiness often comes from the simplest moments: seeing her autistic students learn to eat on their own or neatly place their shoes in the right spot.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Thanh Hoa has spent much of her career supporting children with autism, despite not having formal training in special education.

"I had to teach myself, study resources, and observe other teachers experienced in working with special-needs students," Hoa shared. "Every free moment, I attended their lessons to learn and improve."

Overcoming barriers to inclusion

Hoa has witnessed the challenges that autistic children face, particularly in their first year of school. They struggle not only with academics but also with socializing and basic self-care.

Compounding these difficulties, some parents refuse to acknowledge their child’s condition, while others oppose having their children share a classroom with autistic students.

To address these issues, Hoa employs a “learning through play” approach, avoiding scolding and focusing on creative methods.

"Some children would bite their hands or bang their heads against the wall. In those moments, I’d ask another teacher to watch the class while I walked with them in the hallway until they calmed down. Then, I’d bring them to the library to read stories or even film fun videos together," she recounted.

Her lessons are designed to be interactive and engaging. For instance, she turned math problems into games, like imagining students as engineers designing a four-story house to understand measurements. She also integrated AI and visual tools to make lessons more dynamic and accessible.

Small steps, big milestones

One of Hoa’s most memorable students, H., initially couldn’t respond to questions properly. "When I first met H., I asked, 'What’s your name?' and he replied with his father’s name," she recalled. Through patience and consistent practice, Hoa taught him to recognize and say his own name.

Over time, H. began to participate in group activities and interact with classmates. Hoa encouraged the other students to help H. by rewarding their efforts, creating an inclusive and cooperative environment. Parents who were initially hesitant grew supportive as they saw their children learn empathy and self-discipline.

By the end of the school year, H. could go to the restroom independently, play with his peers, and organize his belongings.

A decade-long dedication

Hoa also remembered her time with D., a student in her 2011 class who had autism and physical disabilities. "D.’s legs were weak, and he struggled to walk. I couldn’t bear to see him face these challenges alone," she said.

She taught D. how to hold a spoon, drink from a cup, and write. When D. needed to use the restroom, she carried him on her back. After regular school hours, while other students went home, Hoa stayed behind to help D. with reading, math, and life skills.

Today, D. has grown significantly, with improved academic performance and independent living skills.

In 2024, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa was honored with the "Dedicated and Creative Educator of Hanoi" award by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training.

Despite the challenges, Hoa remains deeply committed to helping autistic students build confidence and integrate into society. "My dream is to keep learning and sharing creative methods to better support children with autism," she said.

Hoang Thanh