Research shows that prevalence of autism is increasing and this creates more challenges for both general education and special education teachers. New teachers entering the field of teaching, often either sink or swim. There are several challenges facing special education and general education teachers teaching children with autism. Challenges include dealing with parents, handling student behaviors, inadequate resources, developing IEP and meeting complex needs of the children with autism. Since children with autism has broad and individualized needs, teachers constantly need to decipher strategies that works best on individual student in different situations. Busby, Ingram, Bowron, Oliver, & Lyons (2012) mentioned “Autism is especially …show more content…
Lindsay, Proulx, Thomson & Scott (2013) used interviews over eight months on thirteen teachers to study teacher challenges in teaching children with autism in inclusive classroom in Canada. Based on their interview, one of the teachers in the study stated, “Understanding and managing student behaviour was a challenge to fully including children with ASD. Teachers felt they lacked adequate information about ASD, particularly with respect to specific ways to work with a child in the classroom and how to appropriately manage a child when a behavioural outburst occurs” (p.354). Teachers faced challenges academically, behaviorally and socially in teaching children with autism. Lindsay et al. found that “Some teachers found it difficult to engage students with ASD in lessons, noting that they often have specific interests and become frustrated when asked to do something else”(p. 354). Based on their interview results, they found that teachers encountered several problems when teaching with autism in an inclusive setting. “These challenges include understanding and managing behaviour; socio-structural barriers (training, resources, policies); and creating an inclusive environment within the classroom” (p. 360). Based on all these challenges that teachers face, how can the universities, school districts and community better prepare and support
Those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) see the world in a diverse way; teachers and adults need to recognize this. Robison gives examples of his childhood where he misinterpreted information from others including social cues, as well as instructions. He was in these situations punished either socially or academically.
For the purpose of these literature review a search was done using PubMed which is available through the Medical Library of the National Guard Health Services. This research focus is Autism and its management. Using these four key words "Autism" "definition" , "symptoms", and "treatment". As result, nine papers were found and this literature review summarizes them.
Van Hees, V., Moyson, T., & Roeyers, H. (n.d). Higher Education Experiences of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Challenges, Benefits and Support Needs. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 45(6), 1673-1688.
Slaughter, Virginia, Ph.D. "Autism." Magill’S Medical Guide (Online Edition) (2013): Research Starters. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
“Your child has autism spectrum disorder” are words no parent wants to hear. They are words that will instill fear, worry, and sadness. When parents hear this for the first time, they will have many questions. “Is there anything I can do to help my child? If so, what can be done?” Early intervention services; such as applied behavior analysis therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, and speech therapy before the age of three; can help improve the development of children with autism spectrum disorder. As an educator, early intervention is a subject teachers should be well educated in. It would be beneficial to the educator and the student, for a teacher to know and understand early intervention strategies.
Every year doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the growing awareness of autism and recent developments in technology, scientists and doctors can now discover and observe the effects of autism on society, and people. Starting with its discovery, researchers have been able to diagnose people more effectively. Doctors are beginning to discover what causes this disorder, and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it. Many places have opened their doors to people with this disorder, creating autistic friendly environments where people are patient and understanding. Schools have also become accommodating to autistic children and adults. Autism also puts great strain on family and home lives.
2. People with autism have problems with abstract and conceptual thinking. Some may eventually acquire abstract skills, but others never will. When abstract concepts must be used, use visual cues, such as drawings or written words, to augment the abstract idea. Avoid asking vague questions such as, "Why did you do that?" Instead, say, "I did not like it when you slammed your book down when I said it was time for gym. Next time put the book down gently, and tell me that you are angry. Were you showing me that you did not want to go to gym, or that you did not want to stop reading?" Avoid asking essay-type questions. Be as concrete as possible in all your interactions with these students.
Snell, M. E. (2003). Autism, Education of Individuals with. In J. W. Guthrie (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Education (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 161-162). New York: Macmillan Reference USA.
Before completing the assignment of reading “Thinking in Pictures,” by Temple Grandin, I did not have much knowledge about autism. My only understanding was autism was some sort of neurological disorder that is seen similar to mentally handicapped individuals to someone with little understanding, like myself. I am very thankful to have been given an assignment like this one that gives me more knowledge of something I should already have in my line of work (though I am sure that was the whole purpose of the assignment, to educate the ignorant). I now have a better understanding of the cause, learning process and functioning of different levels of this defect.
Stephanie Lindsey the author of the article Autism and Education addresses some serious issues in the education system between the special needs students and the highly gifted students. Stephanie writes the article based off her children and how they are treated in school. Her son has autism, which affects his capability to learn, speak, and to train himself when it comes to bathroom use. Also never being alone in school due to him having a personal aid alongside him with special classes he is treaded with a different type of education. Her daughter on the other hand tests in the 95th percentile nationwide on standardized testing. She’s twelve and her capability of progressing information and taking complex ideas apart and putting them back together to form new thoughts is like no normal twelve year old. She reads entire novels, solves Sudoku puzzles, and also participates in her school
Informing teachers of the areas that students with autism spectrum disorder struggle in will better help them understand...
Having worked in an Autism program first hand I can tell you these people are doing everything they can to help these kids into functioning members of society. Though some will need to be assisted their entire lives some can lead semi-normal lives. In these classrooms these programs not only focus on learning the fundamentals like all children in school (english, math, science, etc..) they also teach social skills and activities, they teach the kids things like proper etiquette in public places, safety on the phone, all the things that that isn 't 'common sense ' to them because of their disability. They work hard to help the students who are more high functioning to integrate into normal classrooms and the children who are more so low functioning to be able to do the basics and beyond for themselves. These programs are continually developing and reshaping to best fit the needs of their
They were selected using the following criteria: (1) Parents/guardian or primary caregivers who have been caring for the child having autism since they discovered it. (2) SPED teachers who encountered to teach child with autism for more information. (3) Parents/guardians/SPED teachers who is willingly give their opinions and tells their experience and feelings towards their child with autism. The number of informants was guided by the principle of data saturation, which was occurred when categories and ideas become redundant and repetitive, such as the answers in what the researchers was ask and with this, the researchers gathered 7 informants for the study.
One of the most difficult things teachers will face when dealing with Autistic children is their lack of communication skills and inappropriate or nonexistent social skills. In addition to academic instruction children with Autism require instruction in communication techniques and social skills. Kamps et.al. says “A key to accommodating students with autism in public school settings is the provision of social and behavioral programming to develop meaningful participation with nondisabled persons” (p.174).
Jordan, R., & Powell, S. (1995). Understanding and Teaching Children with Autism. New York: Wiley.