Special Education is a very important topic today as integration is a major focus in school boards across the country. Autism in particular is becoming more and more prevalent, 1 in 88 children in Canada have Autism. It is likely that most teachers today will have the opportunity to work with a child who has Autism before they have even finished their student teaching placements. There are great strides being made to help assist children with Autism, but I feel there is still so much that is misunderstood. I thought the video above helps to give a brief look into what it feels like to be Carly.
In doing some research to learn a little more about the ASD spectrum I came across a video of a lecture Temple Grandin gave on her own experience with autism. In case you're not interested in watching the whole hour, here are some of the insights I took away from it.
Signs of visual processing problems
1. Finger flickering near eyes
2. Tilts head
3. Hates escalators
4. Hates fluorescent lights
5. Difficulty catching a ball
6. Eye exams may be normal
Interventions for visual processing problems
1. Incandescent lamp by desk
2. Block fluorescent lights with a hat
3. Use a laptop computer
4. Print gray tan or pastel paper
5. Irlen lenses or pale coloured glasses
6. Balancing games, like sitting on a ball
7. Prism glasses, obtained through optometrist
Signs of auditory processing problems
1. Easily distracted and bothered by loud noises
2. Noisy environments are upsetting
3. Difficulty following directions
4. Reading, spelling, writing or other speech-language problems
5. Abstract information is difficult to comprehend
6.Conversations are hard to follow
Interventions for Auditory Processing Problems
1. Wear earplugs for noisiest places, but no more than half the day
2. Record problem noises and allow child to play them at chosen volume
3. Auditory training programs (ie: listening to electronically distorted music)
It is always important to remember to that each child is different and we must address them on a case by case basis. However there are many technologies or assistive devices that can make a difference for both the child and educator such as Kurzweil, Dragon Naturally Speaking and PECS (see more here). PECS in particular is a system I have seen in use and have done some research on.
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a helpful tool that aids children with autism in building communication. PECS focuses on initiating the communication. PECS has been developed into 6 phases that begins with students learning that a picture represents a real life object to responding to questions with the PECS
In doing some research to learn a little more about the ASD spectrum I came across a video of a lecture Temple Grandin gave on her own experience with autism. In case you're not interested in watching the whole hour, here are some of the insights I took away from it.
Signs of visual processing problems
1. Finger flickering near eyes
2. Tilts head
3. Hates escalators
4. Hates fluorescent lights
5. Difficulty catching a ball
6. Eye exams may be normal
Interventions for visual processing problems
1. Incandescent lamp by desk
2. Block fluorescent lights with a hat
3. Use a laptop computer
4. Print gray tan or pastel paper
5. Irlen lenses or pale coloured glasses
6. Balancing games, like sitting on a ball
7. Prism glasses, obtained through optometrist
Signs of auditory processing problems
1. Easily distracted and bothered by loud noises
2. Noisy environments are upsetting
3. Difficulty following directions
4. Reading, spelling, writing or other speech-language problems
5. Abstract information is difficult to comprehend
6.Conversations are hard to follow
Interventions for Auditory Processing Problems
1. Wear earplugs for noisiest places, but no more than half the day
2. Record problem noises and allow child to play them at chosen volume
3. Auditory training programs (ie: listening to electronically distorted music)
It is always important to remember to that each child is different and we must address them on a case by case basis. However there are many technologies or assistive devices that can make a difference for both the child and educator such as Kurzweil, Dragon Naturally Speaking and PECS (see more here). PECS in particular is a system I have seen in use and have done some research on.
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a helpful tool that aids children with autism in building communication. PECS focuses on initiating the communication. PECS has been developed into 6 phases that begins with students learning that a picture represents a real life object to responding to questions with the PECS
In my first placement I had a young man with autism in my class for one period of the day. He was accompanied by two educational assistants and they used the PECS system with him. He was high functioning and very communicative (simply filled with questions). He did not need the PECS system for communication purposes, but used it for organization. He would have the order of his day arranged in pictorial form and would bring it with him from class to class. This gave him a sense of structure and allowed him to anticipate what would be coming next. Maintaining a sense of structure and order is often very important for students with autism, so this was a reassuring tool for him.
While this is far from being comprehensive, these are just a few things I have have found helpful and have seen in action. Please feel free to share what you have seen and found helpful in your own classrooms, or with your own children.
While this is far from being comprehensive, these are just a few things I have have found helpful and have seen in action. Please feel free to share what you have seen and found helpful in your own classrooms, or with your own children.