I recently got in trouble TWICE with my teacher for not being able to tie my shoelaces. I was nearly sent to the principal the second time (if that happened, I would drag the teacher to the principal's office and hear her story).

Here's the situation. I have a big problem with shoelaces. I have problems with fine motor control, meaning, I'm not good with things that require dexterity. Things like putting a thread through a needle, TYING SHOELACES, typing on the keyboard without looking, etc.

Here's the thing: I tried for 10 straight minutes to tie my shoelaces; couldn't do it. I failed to tie the loops together each time, and I was getting frustrated. Also, the motor control problems made it that much harder.

The teacher yelled at me for failing to tie my shoelaces. I talked to the assistant principal about this and he said that he'll pass my message on to the principal. I like to think of the principal's office as the 'Supreme Court' of the school.

Here's what my teacher said:

"You're 17. You're not 7. This will not be an issue in my classroom again. If it is, then I'll send out of the classroom."

^ Rubbish! You were at my autism presentation, so YOU of all people should know better. I specifically said that one of the problems with autism and Asperger's is impaired fine motor control.

Just keep trying. You'll get it sometime and then you'll never forget.

Was the teacher mad?
Come on! not being able to tie shoelaces is not that big of a deal!
I am 14 and I can't tie my shoelaces well...

WELL...

While it does seem a bit silly for someone of 17 NOT to be able to tie their shoelace, your motor control problems set you at an obvious disadvantage. I wouldn't expect you to do it quickly, and I think that (considering she KNEW you have problems with it) was way too harsh.

I never bother to tie my shoes anymore I just slip them on.

Get those shoes with the velcro or wear sandles.

It's not a problem is you have some sort of problem or disability.

I lol'd. I'd say it is since it's pretty basic. Watch and ye shall learn.

Somewhat what sub said. It should be pretty easy to learn if ya take the time to do it. If ya don't wanna though, go with Velcro. =w=

I'm sorry...

I think generally, yes, 17 is a little too old to not be able to tie shoes. But, people with disabilities (such as Asperger's) should take longer, it's just the way things work. And why does it matter to the teacher whether or not you can tie shoes?

Try what I do, tie them once and then just slide them on and off. You won't have to re-tie them for a month or two 

One of my friends has motor control problems. He wears slip-ons.

The thing is, if you DON'T have a disability like you discribed, it IS a problem, however if you do, then I can understand.

I have to side with you and the teacher somewhat, I mean, if you can't tie shoes, and never have been able too, why the heck are you wearing shoes with the laces undone instead of sliding them in your shoe or wearing velcro/sandals/slip-ons, etc. But I do side with you since it's not your fault that you can't tie them, so you shouldn't get in trouble.

Just go out and buy velcro/sandals/slip-ons/etc or take your laces and pack them into your shoe to avoid further problems.

I still have problems in what you call motor skills. I am really not perfect in those. It took me till 13 till I knew how to tie my shoes. My mom used to shout at me all the time. Even till now, I don't tie my shoes in the same way people do, instead, I made my own way of tying shoelaces. I think you can try that, it might work. If not, then keep staring at your mom while she is tying your shoes until you understand it properly.

While I think that 17 is a bit too old for someone to not know how to tie his shoelaces (unless he has a disability), I find the teacher's reaction unjustifiable; why does she care about such a silly and useless thing? It doesn't affect her in any way.

I couldn't tie my shoes without assistance till the end of 6th grade. Not that I didn't know HOW, but the damn things kept coming loose and I couldn't find a consistent way to keep them permanently tied, laced, and knotted.

If you still can't tie your shoelaces though then you seriously have problems. Some sort of logic or motor skill hasn't been developed or trained or just plain used for you to not be able to do it.

If you have some sort of mental handicap (i.e a full-on mental retardation-like syndrome or some other type of psychological disorder that impairs thinking skills) then I would understand, but I mean, c'mon bro.

What a dumb teacher. I bet she doesn't know a thing or two about kids and how hard it is to tie shoe lases.
This is how I remembered. The Spongebob Shoe Lases song!! <3

Well...back on debating...
The point is, shoe lases are annoying, and some people do have trouble, but the teacher should NEVER under no circumstance should ever sent a student to the office for the dumbest reason like, tying shoe lases.

It's odd if you've tried 100+ times. But if you've just got shoes with laces for the first time, one can understand.

I understand why you have a problem with that. She doesn't realise that is affected by your autism, and that is a big problem for you.

Here's a helper vid (music by Ween):

I just wear Velcro shoes.

If you have a disability, I'm sorry.
If you don't...

Learned to do it at age 14 or something, which very late too. Learn it. Ribbons ain't that hard. XD