asperger’s understanding a misunderstood disorder
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Asperger’s Understanding a Misunderstood Disorder. This workshop is brought to you by the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children An Affiliate Group of the NJEA. Asperger's Inside out. By: Ryan and Joyce McGibbon. What is Asperger’s Syndrome?. ?. Autism Spectrum. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Asperger’sUnderstanding a Misunderstood Disorder
This workshop is brought to you by the
New Jersey Association for Gifted Children
An Affiliate Group of the NJEA
More information about us is available downstairs on the Convention Floor in the Affiliates Section of Main Street.
Pick up information about the latest state requirements for gifted education
Get membership information and enter a drawing for a free membership Find out more about professional development opportunities in gifted education Learn more about our upcoming conference in March 2014
Learn about our awards Check out what NJAGC can do for you.
www.njagc.org
Phone: 856-273-7530
Asperger's Inside out
By: Ryan and Joyce McGibbon
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Autism Spectrum
Asperger’s syndrome
Autism
A diagram representing the autism spectrumA diagram representing the autism spectrum
High functioning autism
The effects of Asperger’s
Social Skills
For children who have Asperger's, it is hard to make and keep friends. It is also hard to work and play with other people.
Social SkillsSometimes it can be good to stand out from the crowd.
Social SkillsBut sometimes you just want to fit in!
Social Skills
Facial Expressions
Facial Expressions
Facial Expressions
Facial Expressions
Tones of voice
Tones of voice
What does this mean for the classroom teacher?
So, what does this mean for the classroom teacher?
All of these actions are explained by Asperger’s, but a few changes in your behavior can minimize the impact of their behavior on your class
Is the problem just Asperger’s?
Sensory issues
Mood disorders such as phobias, anxiety, and depression
ADHD
Motor issues/difficulties such as Tourette's, tics, and dysgraphia
OCD
Processing issues
Asperger’s frequently goes hand in hand with other disorders
Sensory IssuesBe cognizant of sensory issues – very real issue often not taken seriouslyFluorescent lights – issues range from mildly distracting to making words jiggle on the page. Minimize issue by sitting by window/natural light or provide table lamp (with traditional light bulb)Labels in clothing, seams in socks, etc, can feel like razor bladesSound sensitivity – loud noises can cause physical painHelp overcome by gradually building sound toleranceMay be hypersensitive to smells. Do you wear cologne? Have smelly markers? Bring tuna for lunch?Often difficulty with screening out background noise – difficult to follow conversation in a crowd, follow directions in a classroomAll can lead to sensory overload which can lead to behavior problems
Mood disorders
Take phobias seriously but do not feed into them
Anxiety about everyday situations common and transitioning is often difficult
Unexpected changes can result in difficult behavior, anywhere from being a little irritable to a full blown meltdown
Never forget that this is the result of anxiety and fear of the unknown, not bad behavior
If possible, talk them through the difficult situation. Discuss what is going to happen or what they need to do next, repeat as it happens or as they do it, and praise afterwards for handling a challenging situation
Do not try to reason with them during a meltdown, likely to exacerbate it. Allow them to go to a predetermined safe place/happy place to calm down. Discuss the event after the fact.
Be on the lookout for signs of depression, common due to social isolation especially in middle school
Be aware that fear is the main emotion in those with autism. The fear center of Temple Grandin’s brain is 3x normal size so be understanding of seemingly irrational fears!!!
Children with Asperger’s frequently have mood disorders
Processing Issues
Auditory processing – normal hearing screening normal but missing parts of speech (eg hard consonant sounds, end sounds, etc)
Make speech sound like a bad cell phone connection!
Improve communication if they look at your face as you speak. If cant look at your eyes (common) have them watch your mouth
Children with Asperger’s frequently have processing issues
Processing Issues
Visual processing issues –images may be pixelated, cubist, words may vibrate on the page, etc
Things that may help include no fluorescent lights, colored paper (especially pastels), glasses with colored lenses (experiment with cheap sunglasses), baseball cap to block glare of overhead lights, etc.
Use laptop or tablet not desktop – different type of screen
i-pad for typing – no need to move head and focus between keyboard and screen
If must use regular computer screen , experiment with background color, font color, and brightness to get optimal set up.
So what does all this mean?
Sensory disorders, mood disorders, focusing issues, and processing disorders all have to be overcome in order for learning to take place
So, just how are you supposed to do that?????
How to help AS students succeed
Try to speak slowly so they can keep up with what you are saying
You should explain yourself clearly so they understand exactly what you want them to do. Be very specific
Try to use concrete language as figurative language and sarcasm can be very confusing.
Check in with your AS student as the class begins independent work to clarify that they understand your expectations
1. Clearly explain your expectations
How to help AS students succeed
Break down tasks into manageable steps
Provide written step-by-step directions or graphic organizers
Don’t ask them to listen and take notes, they often struggle do both at the same time
Provide class notes whenever possible.
2. Multitasking is very challenging for AS students
How to help AS students succeed
AS students often feel like outcasts
Assign partners or prearrange a sympathetic student for partner work
AS students don’t respond well to change so while it may seem like they’re being bossy, they’re just trying to avoid unexpected changes
Let them know if other kids are getting frustrated or angry with them as they often miss the social cues that tell them that
3. Problems working with other people in the classroom
How to help AS students succeed
Students with AS are often very distractible, both from external and internal distracters
Have set routines in the classroom, especially for less structured times of day such arrival and dismissal
Be aware of sensory issues and be prepared to make necessary changes to avoid sensory issues causing a distraction
Working in a group can be stressful and distracting. Consider allowing to work alone or assign role of student observer for some projects.
Have a secret signal to use to keep your AS student on task without making it obvious to other students.
4. Distractions
How to help AS students succeed
Students with AS often have difficulty in transferring knowledge to new situations
Specifically teach your AS student that the rules you have applied to help them, apply in other settings too
Share your successful strategies, consistency is key
Be patient! You may find yourself thinking, “I shouldn’t have to teach Johnny this at his age” Keep in mind that with Asperger's students, you do have to teach them basic behavioral rules as they do not pick up on them naturally like other children
5. Beyond your classroom
Routines
Personalized Rule Book
Alex Behavior Rules1. I will be respectful to my teacher
Why: I should always treat others the way I want to be treated myself
Reward: Earn stickers
Consequence: One = Reminder/Warning plus apology
Two = No sticker plus written apology
Three = Call mommy
2. I will use a strategy to cope if I am upset
oWhy: I don’t want to say or do something mean to my friends
Reward: Earn stickers
Consequence: One = Reminder/Warning
Two = No sticker
Three = See Mrs. Furka
3. I will accept responsibility if I do something wrong
Why: I am in control of me, no one else is
Etc ……...
10 stickers = 5 minutes free time 20 stickers = prize box
What Can I Do to Help Myself
Anger ball Listen to Music
Deep breathing Doodles
Count backwards from 20 Imagery
Shapes Beary
NotecardsAnger BallSqueeze your anger ball. If you squeeze your anger into your ball, it can’t come
out of your mouth or fists Trace shapes
Choose a shape from the booklet and trace the shapes with your fingers.
Count Backwards from 20
Start at 20 and count backwards down to 1. If you still feel mad, start at 20 again but this time count backwards by 2’s
Etc …..
How to help AS students succeed
Students with AS are often exhausted by the end of the school day
Allow flexibility with homework assignments.
Be prepared to modify written homework assignments for AS students with motor difficulties
The skills the students master are what is important, the way in which they prove mastery can be flexible.
6. Problems with homework
How to help AS students succeed
Staying focused for long periods can be difficult so be prepared to give ‘brain breaks’
Making a choice can be very stressful so limit the number of options given
Hypersensitivity to sights, sounds, or smells is common so be prepared for extreme or irrational reactions
Don’t lose sight of the fact that this is a disability and while many of the behaviors can be annoying, they are beyond the students control and are not done with malice.
7. Other problems AS students may face
How to help AS students succeed
In addition to being a teacher, you are also a
Social Coach
Behavior Therapist
Mediator
Advocate
Beacon of Hope
You are so much more than a teacher
Famous people suspected to have
Asperger'sJamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)
Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder)
Bill Gates
Michael Palin (Monty Python)
Satoshi Tajiri (creator of Pokémon)
Albert Einstein
Isaac Newton
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Leonardo da Vinci
Beethoven
Elvis
Shakespeare
And Many More…
Fictional people who show some signs of Asperger
Syndrome
•Michael Scott (played by Steve Carel in The Office)•Temperance “Bones” Brennan (in Bones)•Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons in Big Bang Theory)•Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson) •Basil Fawlty (played by John Cleese in Faulty Towers)
Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome
If you would like to teach children in your class about Asperger’s and how they can help a student with AS to succeed, check out www.myfriendryan.org
There you will find an informative video for kids, and resources for teachers to build a supportive understanding community in their classroom.
Asperger's Inside out