Autism Cymru

• WHEN THE THEORY NEEDS TO BECOME PRACTICE

• Gill Williams

• 7/11/08

One besotted and frustrated mum

VOne overworked teacher with a class of 28

ASPERGERS SYNDROME

It is my informed opinion that the world would be such a nicer place to live is everyone had a degree of Aspergers

My greatest sadness is that I have to teach my son to be less caring and less loving to cope in this “Normal” world

If only the world would learn from him instead.

I believe he is much more “normal” than the very people who label him as having a disability!

The Contradictions

Search for info on the Autistic Spectrum

By definition – info so wide

He ticks some boxes not others

Told he is not aware of other peoples feelings BUT very sensitive

Mums put things right find the cause and the cure

MUM

What caused these negative feelings?

Happiest days of your life?

I think not !

As a teacher I know the ever increasing workload but also that desire to help all pupils “I do want to help”

Hopefully together we can compromise and come up with some practical solutions

Training on the use of language

• Fortunately being a teacher I could pre-empt some of the likely stumbling blocks

• “ What time do you call this?”

• “I hope I didn’t hear a swear word then?”

CAN ANYONE THINK OF ANY OTHER “Teacher speak” that may cause problems?

Can you think of 4 things that teachers say quite regularly that pupils with Aspergers may have a problem with ?

Inability to understand implied meaning

Good old Sean mutters S**T I hope I

didn’t hear a rude word

then?

Yes you did Miss

Sean said S**t

Non verbal communication – has to be taught. Look at me

when I’m talking to you

lad!

What do you think you’re looking at?

Shoulders back

Hands by your side.

Get your hands out of your pocket.

What can we do to avoid confusion ?

• Plan to teach e.g.. Idioms

• How can you make sure that the use of idioms is not a problem in your school?

• How would you ensure the ASD pupil understands the “teacher speak”?

Theory into Practice -

1-1 teaching of child with ASD.

They need to be taught

Posters in every room

Essential that all staff are trained. It only takes one comment for things to spiral out of controlSharing of

information with parents

Information in pupil planners

Politeness - Social implications

• “Thank you sir I really enjoyed that lesson”

• “You’re cool sir – it was well good that lesson”

• Seen as creep , swat

Bullying can of course be a problem for all children

1. At what points in the school day may a child with Aspergers be at most risk of being bullied?

2. What strategies can be put in place to try and prevent potential “issues” arising?

• We can not expect the pupil with ASD to change.

• Situations need to be planned

• “How can I manipulate ?”

• E.g. Who is on prefect duty with the pupil with ASD?

Frustration not tapping in to strengths

         

                            

Now that pupils do not have to sit SATs in Wales what excuse can we have for not being

prepared to change the set text?

Is it better to allow the child with Aspergers to do a different task from the rest of the class?

Something learned is better than nothing learned !

School systems

• Vote for form captains.

• Prefects etc

Realistically will a socially isolated child get votes?

What systems do you have in your school that actively discriminates against a child with Aspergers ?

The Disability Equality Duty (DED) placed upon public bodies new statutory duties to

Promote equality of opportunity between disabled and other personsEliminate discrimination that is unlawfulEliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disabilityPromote positive attitudes towards disabled persons

Encourage participation by disabled persons in public life even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons.

Unofficial days off!

An aversion to change and the subsequent stress change causes

Collapsed timetable Will I need my pencil case?

Is it non- school

uniform?

Where do I go

lesson one?

What if I get lost?

Do I go to form?

How will I know where Jack and

Josh are ?

•INTOLERANCE – textiles and other tactile experiences.

•Extremely sensitive to certain fabrics

•Dislike of certain clothing

•Can hate getting dirty

•Sensitivity can be so great that there me be allergic reactions to certain fabrics

School Uniform

Visible disability

Religion

No concessions made for sensory difficulties associated with ASD

Invisible Disabilities

I cant wear this shirt . It’s driving

me insane

Don’t be so silly lad .

Uniform is uniform get used to it

HypersensitivityA teenager without a football shirt?

Skin too Sensitive.

The sowing from the badge on the inside can cause such sensitivity that shirt can not be worn.

Extreme Sensitivity

Friends – birthday parties

At time the craze was for

Football parties – not interested and couldn’t play!

Sadness of changing him to conform

healing hugs

Will do kind but “un-cool” things

Jokes• “Dr , Dr I think I need glasses”

“You certainly do Sir, this is a fish and chip shop.”

Do you have a joke book in your library?

The Joys

• Life is easy – missed the “normal” teenage years

Uncomplicated Life

• What you see ….

• No hidden agendas

• Truthful

• Caring

• Loving

• Not afraid to show emotions

NORMALITY ? 

Does being normal mean you have to say the opposite of what you mean?When I say “yes” I mean “yes”, when I say “no” I mean “no”There is no hidden agenda Does being normal mean I have to use the English language in a strange way?If I say “What time do you call this?” I mean “what time do you call this?”I don’t mean “why are you late?” Why don’t people just say “why are you late?” Does being normal mean you are not allowed to tell people you love them?If I say “I love someone” I love them. It doesn’t mean I want sex with my Nan or my friend. It means I love them?   

You have been asked to contribute to the Disability Equality Duty (DED) scheme which your school is legally required to

produce.

List five suggestions you would make to plan for the arrival of a pupil with Aspergers Syndrome