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Fostering Deep & Focused Interests in Children with ASDs

Fostering Deep & Focused Interests in Children with ASDs. Valerie Paradiz, PhD Elijah Wapner Autism One 2008. Family Story. Elijah’s diagnosis Grassroots Self-Advocacy Embracing Autism as a Culture The Ebb & Flow of Deep Interests. Early Years. Hats Balloons Colors Sketching

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Fostering Deep & Focused Interests in Children with ASDs

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  1. Fostering Deep & Focused Interestsin Children with ASDs Valerie Paradiz, PhD Elijah Wapner Autism One 2008

  2. Family Story • Elijah’s diagnosis • Grassroots Self-Advocacy • Embracing Autism as a Culture • The Ebb & Flow of Deep Interests

  3. Early Years • Hats • Balloons • Colors • Sketching • Val’s Shadow Traits • German Literature • Writing as Social Scripting • Poetry & Prose • Elijah’s Cup

  4. The Adventure… • Elijah’s 5th Grade Crisis • The ASPIE School: A Haven for Building Confidence • Val’s Diagnosis • Elijah’s Comedy • The Sudbury School • Infrastructure for Schools and Organizations

  5. What is a deep interest?

  6. Deep Interests & ASD An area of knowledge or activity that a person with Autism Spectrum Difference (ASD) enjoys engaging in frequently and to a great degree, sometimes to the exclusion of most other activities, often more intensively than an average hobby or leisure time pursuit

  7. Intrinsic Motivation Activities that people do naturally and spontaneously when they feel free to follow their inner interests. Ryan and Deci, “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being”

  8. True or False? • Focused interests are obsessions. • They are non-functional. • They can indicate a person’s feelings of anxiety or overwhelm. • Deep interests can lead to developing vocational skills or a career. • They interrupt real learning in the classroom. • They undermine relationships with family members at home. • They can be helpful in self-regulation.

  9. The Power of Deep InterestsElijah’s Comedy Biography

  10. Early Childhood • Charlie Stims • Echolalia • Delayed Speech • Seizures • Auditory Sensitivity • Nonverbal Entertainment

  11. Middle Childhood • Comedian Stims • Genres of Comedy • Memorizing Jokes • Social Scripting • Integrating Gestures with Speech

  12. Adolescence • Self Protection • Conflict Resolution • Timing & Delivery • Original Material • MTV: True Life, I Have Autism • Gotham Comedy Club • Stella Adler Studio • Micro Enterprise

  13. Supporting Emerging & Focused Interestsat home and in the classroom

  14. For EducatorsIntegrating focused interests into lesson plans can… • motivate students to attempt new subjects or topic areas • inspire kids to practice study skills they might generally avoid or refuse to do • be an avenue for promoting good self-esteem • serve as a positive reinforcement • win respect and admiration from peers

  15. “Tapping into Special Interestsin the Classroom”Valerie Paradiz, PhD Autism Internet Modules (AIM) www.AutismInternetModules.org

  16. ISA™ Lesson PlanningFostering Focused Interests at School

  17. For FamiliesIntegrating deep interests into family activities can… • validate your child’s need for familiar structures • inspire kids to try new activities they might avoid or refuse to do • show your child that you appreciate how she thinks • celebrate autistic culture!

  18. Name that Aspie! And name that focused interest, too!

  19. Mr. Inevitable American Air Guitarist

  20. Q & A Contact www.ValerieParadiz.com Val@ValerieParadiz.com www.MrInevitable.com Elijah@MrInevitable.com

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