Lesley Fleming 2011

Creative Approaches to Learning and Teaching for Young People with Autistic Spectrum Condition and the Additional Value of Expressive Arts as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum. 

“If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn.” (Lovaas, in Stevens, 2009)

“It is the process that is important... not the product.”(Peterhouse School; Arts)

1. Why we think ‘The Arts’ are beneficial

2. Arts and Autism

3. Using ‘The Arts' and Creativity and its impact in teaching ASC

4. Achievements and Generalisation

Music DanceDramaArtCreative Writing

Arts and Autism

Learn in different ways. Have strengths in certain areas. Often prefer routine, structure,

predictability Find communication, interaction and

flexible thinking challenging. Often have strong interest in one particular

area Attention to detail Like rote learning

Motivational resources Led by child preferences Non-threatening Often play based Often experiential Wide variety of activities Offer a framework to learning Often sensory based Accessible to all Fun

Child success Increased self esteem Incidental learningSelf occupying skillsGeneralisation of skillsLife long learning

Child led learning Adaptable curriculum Motivational resources Motivational focus Adapted lessons Differentiation Experiential Fun Lifelong learning

Goal setting Holistic and integrated thinking Team work/ negotiation Seeing the ‘big picture’ Exploring ideas Developing concepts Planning Problem solving Incidental learning Success and achievement Life long learning

CHOICE

I want music

Loud/ soft

singingPlaying

listening

Go to concert!

Choice = singing

What song ?Who with?

Accompaniment

Where?

Genre?

Why?

Fun relaxation

Performance

All working to a shared goal Planning and negotiation

Sharing an idea Thinking & problem solving

Working as a team Working at individual levels

Observational learning Making a choice

Feeling of fun Feeling of having a good time

Recognition of success Euphoria on completion 

Thriller

‘I feel nervous...’ ‘I’ve never done it before’

‘I can’t go into the ‘I want to do ithall for but I’massembly’ scared’

‘I’m just keeping ‘I’ve got stagemy hood up...no one fright’will know its me’

‘Do I have to do it?’

I am performing on stage with my

friends for the first time.

‘I feel fantastic’ ‘I am proud of myself, mum and

dad are proud’‘I had a great time’

‘It felt good’‘It was brilliant’

‘I couldn’t do ‘It was my choice’ it before but

now I can

‘I want to do that again!’

Performed on stage for the first time with my friends.

‘Next time I’m going to...’ ‘I’ve got a great idea’

‘I’ve got a plan’ ‘I can...’

‘I want to do ... I need to make a plan’

‘I know what I want to do...’

Successful and

Independent

Motivation Effective

communication Interaction Negotiation Problem solving Thinking Planning Team work

Sharing Choice Wow Factor! Empowerment Increased self-esteem Self gratification Ownership Confidence Independence Generalisation

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns....Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”

Edward de Bono(Psychologist and writer in creative

thinking)

The Arts... In detail Quote

Music◦ Singing◦ Playing◦ Drumming◦ Instrumental lessons◦ Sensory◦ Relaxation◦ Choice◦ Performing◦ Technology◦ Composing◦ Bands◦ Music Assisted

Communication

Art◦ Drawing◦ Painting◦ Sculpture◦ Ceramics◦ Photography◦ Exhibitions◦ Group work◦ Animation◦ Young enterprise◦ Scenery/ props

Drama◦ Expressive Arts◦ Shows◦ Creative writing (script)◦ SALT◦ Interaction◦ Workshops◦ Cross curricular◦ Animation◦ Community Access

Dance/ movement◦ Performance◦ Expressive Arts◦ Dance clubs◦ Choreography◦ Routines◦ Shows◦ Group work◦ Yoga◦ Relaxation/ sensory

Media/ Music◦ iMacs◦ iStop Motion◦ Garage Band◦ Recording Studio◦ IT Suite◦ Kaoss Pad◦ iTunes◦ Animation◦ Radio Shows

Sensory◦ Massage/ Aromatherapy◦ Yoga◦ OT◦ Art◦ Music◦ Science◦ Tents◦ Light room◦ Dark room◦ Sensory programmes

“Creativity is the cornerstone of integrative and adaptive thinking, for making social and emotional connections, using language and representational thought, exploring ideas and developing concepts.”

Jonathan Cohen 2001