Autistic boy fails school exams – teacher sends him home with powerful letter that goes 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 bewildered when her son gave him a letter after he failed the SAT.

When he saw the letter, he probably thought it said that Ben needed to work harder to improve his grades, but the letter said nothing of the sort.

Despite the fact that he failed the SAT test, his teacher gave him an amazing letter.

The Letter

Mrs. Clarkson sent him home with a touching letter telling him how capable he is and exactly what 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.”

The response

After reading the letter, Ben’s mother, Gail, found herself in tears.

Mrs. Clarkson’s letter went on to list the things that Ben was good at, things that a regular school test couldn’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”

The world sure needs more people like Ms. Clarkson! It would be easier to send a letter about how Ben needs to improve or change. Smart and compassionate people like Mrs. Clarkson know that judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree is as futile as judging a monkey by its ability to swim in deep water.

We hope Ben takes his teacher’s words to heart and always remembers that his worth should never be measured by his school test scores.

Share this article if you think teachers like Ms. Clarkson deserve widespread praise and recognition!