inclusion redefiningmisf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/aowl_misf_presentation.pdf · redefining...
TRANSCRIPT
Redefining Inclusion
The fear is realAmid fear of shootings, parents and students count down till school's out for summer - May 2018
Parents Fear for Kids’ Safety in Schools Reaches Two-Decade High - July 2018
More Parents, Children Fearful for Safety at School - August 2018
3 Components to Diminish the Fear
● Difference between Autism and Mental Health
● Background knowledge on Autism
● How to make a more inclusive environment in your school
Detail-focused Cognitive Style/Central Coherence
Theory of Mind
▪I interpret language literally
I am a Concrete Thinker
I am Visually Oriented▪Show me rather than tell me
▪Visual organizers help me hold information still
▪Routines and structure with visual reminders are key
▪ Visual Timers
My Senses are Out of Sync
▪Sounds
▪Smells
▪Tastes
▪Touch
▪Vestibular and proprioceptive
AOWL definitionInclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity. Such engagement involves individual relationships as well as connections that are made through the curriculum, in co-curricular activities, and in broader communities where the basis of belonging may be intellectual, social, cultural, or geographic. Inclusion is a mindset that encourages learning communities to initiate positive ways to increase awareness of differences and to promote a welcoming climate for everyone.
Public School definition Regarding individuals with disabilities and special education, inclusion secures opportunities for students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms.
● The CDC found that, on average, 1 in 59 children was identified as having ASD in communities where prevalence was tracked. In Minnesota, this was identified as 1 in 42.
● Almost half of children identified with ASD have average or above average intellectual ability.
● ASD occurs among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups
● Boys are 4 times more likely to be identifiedwith ASD than girls
Autism in our Schools
Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult
● No medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose ● Doctors look at the child’s behavior and development
Age of diagnosis varies
● Sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. ● By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be
considered very reliable.● Many children do not receive a diagnosis until much older.
Age 5 (you may be the first to see it) ● This delay or lack of being diagnosed means that children
with ASD might not get the help they need.
Detection of Autism
● Are there students attending (or applying to) my school that may be better served elsewhere?
● How can I help my staff better serve students with ASD, related learning differences, and/ or behavior challenges?
Questions to Ask Yourself
We provide a personalized learning path integrating academic, social and life skills for qualifying students with ASD and related learning differences
● Small class sizes (7-9 with a 4-1 student/teacher ratio)● Students grouped by academic/social levels vs. grade/age● Curriculum focused on academic, social and life skills● Individual lesson plans● Sensory rooms● Behavior Specialists on staff● Wrap around services (psychotherapy, behavior intervention,
family therapy, occupational, physical and speech therapies● Accommodations
Academy of Whole Learning
How can your school partner with AOWL?How can AOWL support your school?
● Refer students to AOWL
AOWL can provide:● Teacher training● Staff presentations
Topics include: Autism 101, True Inclusion,Effective Behavior Management, TherapeuticLanguage, etc.
Contact us for additional information
Partnership
Financial Challenges
● AOWL’s Cost per Student - $35,000
● State of Minnesota Public Schools per Student - $11,000
● State of MN Public Student with ASD - $21,000
Financial Challenges of Specialized Education● Additional space needed
○ Within classrooms○ Sensory break spaces
● More staff needed○ Teacher Assistants within classrooms○ Behavior Therapists/Counselors○ Smaller class size
● Specialized Tools○ Learning, visual and furniture
● Customized software● Additional time of school team
○ Teachers, Therapists, Admin and parents● Additional Training for all staff● Specialized supplies
○ Odor free cleaning chemicals○ Light covers on all overhead lights
Autism Tool Kit
● Blue light covers - $25
● Bean bag chair - $85
● Assortment of fitgets - $20
● Room dividers - $69
● Visual timer - $26
● Noise reducing ear muffs - $12
● Weighted blanket - $60
$300
● Sensory spaces in each classroom○ Alternative seating
● Teach SEL in your school○ CASEL
● Build relationships - purposeful relationships - they want you to, they just don’t know how to tell you
● Consider your Schedule○ Breaks○ Structuring the unstructured times
● Use your specialists - if you don’t have specialists near you or in your school, use ours :)
● Going SLOW to go FAST● Walkabouts
Next Steps for Administrators
Purposeful Identification● have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
● avoid eye contact and want to be alone
● have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
● appear to be disinterested when people talk to them
● be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
● repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal
language
● have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
● repeat actions over and over again
● have trouble adapting when a routine changes
● have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
● lose skills they once had (for example, stop saying words they were using)
At your school - ● Being sent to the principal’s office
● Alone at recess, lunch
● Being ignored in the hall
● A student without friends
● Solely seeks adult interaction
● Overly sensitive to fire drills
● Refusing to participate when something changes
Questions?