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Autism Cymru

Autism Cymru. WHEN THE THEORY NEEDS TO BECOME PRACTICE Gill Williams 7/11/08. One besotted and frustrated mum V One 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

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Autism Cymru

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  1. Autism Cymru • WHEN THE THEORY NEEDS TO BECOME PRACTICE • Gill Williams • 7/11/08

  2. One besotted and frustrated mum V One overworked teacher with a class of 28

  3. 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!

  4. 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

  5. MUM What caused these negative feelings? Happiest days of your life? I think not !

  6. 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

  7. 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?

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

  9. Inability to understand implied meaning Yes you did Miss Sean said S**t Good old Sean mutters S**T I hope I didn’t hear a rude word then?

  10. 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”?

  11. Theory into Practice - 1-1 teaching of child with ASD. They need to be taught Essential that all staff are trained. It only takes one comment for things to spiral out of control Posters in every room Sharing of information with parents Information in pupil planners

  12. 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

  13. Bullying can of course be a problem for all children • At what points in the school day may a child with Aspergers be at most risk of being bullied? • What strategies can be put in place to try and prevent potential “issues” arising?

  14. 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?

  15. Frustration not tapping in to strengths

  16. 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 !

  17. School systems • Vote for form captains. • Prefects etc Realistically will a socially isolated child get votes?

  18. The Disability Equality Duty (DED) placed upon public bodies new statutory duties to Promote equality of opportunity between disabled and other persons Eliminate discrimination that is unlawful Eliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disability Promote 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. What systems do you have in your school that actively discriminates against a child with Aspergers ?

  19. Unofficial days off! An aversion to change and the subsequent stress change causes Will I need my pencil case? Do I go to form? Collapsed timetable Is it non- school uniform? Where do I go lesson one? How will I know where Jack and Josh are ? What if I get lost?

  20. 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

  21. School Uniform Visible disability Religion No concessions made for sensory difficulties associated with ASD

  22. Friends – birthday parties At time the craze was for Football parties – not interested and couldn’t play!

  23. Sadness of changing him to conform healing hugs

  24. Will do kind but “un-cool” things

  25. 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?

  26. The Joys • Life is easy – missed the “normal” teenage years

  27. Uncomplicated Life • What you see …. • No hidden agendas • Truthful • Caring • Loving • Not afraid to show emotions

  28. 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?

  29. 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

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