[Teachldsseminary] REQUEST: Disability

[Bob & Becky Clinton]

I'm glad you asked this question.  I will also have a new student with autism this year in my class and so am also seeking any an all advice.  I haven't met the student or the parents yet so I'm not sure to what degree he is affected.  In anticipation of the circumstance I inquired of a friend who deals with special needs children and he gave me the following very basic information:

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Autism is a very complex developmental disorder.  Unlike Down Syndrome, people with autism usually looked normal.  It's called a spectrum disorder, because individuals with autism can be anywhere on the spectrum-from a mild form of Aspergers or Syndrome to severe profound autism-where they're unable to speak.  It just depends on the person.  Some individuals with severe profound autism can be violent.  Headbutting, biting, hitting, are not uncommon for people with severe autism, but not for everyone with Autism.  Some younger children with autism are also runners.  If you're working with a child with autism you would definitely want to make sure you ask if he is a runner and if he has violent tendencies.  

Autism affects three major areas:
1. Difficulties with Communication
2. Difficulties with Socialization (socialization skills that most people take for granted are very difficult for most autistic people)
3. Problems with Sensory Integration (see, smell, hear, taste, touch) some autistic people are hypersensitive in some of these areas.  Once again, it just depends on where they're at on the spectrum and how they're affected in each of these areas. 

If you're teaching an autistic child, keep one thing in mind:

Less talking and more colorful pictures are the best teaching strategies.  Hands-on activities are also good vs. worksheets and a lot of writing-no good.  Find out if the child can write and read.  Depending on where he is on the spectrum, you might need to teach one-on-one, or find somebody to work with him. Let me know, and I'll be glad to help you with some teaching strategies for this child.  

Find out what reading and math level he's at. Also find out if he's hypersensitive to anything, because if he is, no need to incorporate some sensory integration techniques.  

The best resources are probably on the Web.  Autism society of America is good.  Council for exceptional children is good (CEC). 

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I hope this helps

Becky Clinton, EMS
Kaiserslautern Military Stake
Germany
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: rfamilyz4evr at surfbest.net 
  To: teachldsseminary at latter-dayvillage.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 3:29 PM
  Subject: [Teachldsseminary] REQUEST: Disability


  I have been contacted that I will
  have a young man in my class this
  year who has autism.  Though I am
  a teacher by profession, I don't 
  work with disabled children.  
  Does anyone have any ideas on how
  to reach this student?  I want him
  to have the best experience in 
  seminary.  His mother told me that
  his last year, he just slept most
  of the time and when he was awake
  there were occasions in which he
  would be angry and shout out bad
  things.
  If any of you experienced teachers
  could share some light, I would 
  greatly appreciate it.
  Thank you!
  Sherri EMS-TEXAS


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