Geneva Centre for Autism

Jennifer Krumins is a special education teacher in Peterborough, Ontario with more than 21 years of experience in special education and the regular classroom. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Jennifer has studied with Queen’s University and Nipissing University on Special Education and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Currently, she is working on her Masters degree in Special Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She is married with three children (one of which has autism). Most importantly, Jennifer has been privileged to work with students with autism that have truly educated her.

Jennifer is also the owner of Autism Aspirations, a company that works with families and schools to empower individuals and teams to use their talents and skills effectively to help individuals with autism to reach their full potential.

Jennifer is the author of two books: Been There. Done That. Finally Getting it Right. A Guide to Educational Planning for Students with Autism

One Step at a Time: ABA and Autism in the Classroom; Practical Strategies for Implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis for Student with Autism

Autism and the Grandparent Connection: Practical Ways to Understand and Help your Grandchild with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Children will Lead Us…

Each child’s birth changes the face of the world and brings with it new hope and a fresh beginning. Never could I have imagined what gifts my children would bring to my life: passion, clarity, and purpose. But life also has a way of delivering the greatest gifts wrapped in the disguise of grief. When our second child was diagnosed with severe autism, our life as we knew it (and planned it) changed dramatically. My husband of 16 years and I have learned the most important lessons in life through these difficult times: build relationships, act on your instincts, and choose optimism and hope.  Riding the tidal wave of autism is a voyage of a life time but the rewards are profound and immeasurable. This is not to diminish in any way the heart -wrenching, exhaustive and heartbreaking nature of autism but we refused to look at it that way.

Even through the tears, we knew that our son was here to teach us something. Individuals with autism have gifts that they bring to the world. Our own son and the students that I have had the privilege of teaching have made me take a hard look at what I value and what I believe about purpose and fulfillment in life. They have collectively taught me that getting ahead doesn’t always bring real happiness but looking into the eyes of a child that finally conquers a skill...now that is pure joy! My kids have taught me to really tune into my senses; truly feel the sun on my skin and the smell of a spring day. My kids have taught me to slow down and really look at even the most seemingly insignificant things in life and see their glory with new eyes. I have learned that our productivity doesn’t make us loveable; we already are. Our purpose in life isn’t about financial gain and material prosperity; it is about accepting ourselves and being at peace with the essence of who we are; living our lives for the sake of bringing some peace and light to others and ourselves. The autism journey has taught me how to advocate more effectively. Learning how to collaborate, listen more attentively and articulate a child’s needs with respect and integrity are skills that were developed out of necessity. My kids with autism have taught me more than I could hope to teach them. Yes, they have brought me frustration, exhaustion and sometimes pain but, over and above that, my students and my own children have pushed me to greater understanding, higher levels of learning and elevated awareness of the gifts that surround us and live in us.