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Which social skills are needed
Teaching a child with autism
Teaching a child with autism
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Teaching Children with Autism There has been an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism or other autism spectrum disorders. It is likely as an educator that you will have at least one child with this diagnosis in your classroom. This paper explores some of the methods used to teach autistic children. Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap & Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and no social interaction) to high-functioning (some communication and inappropriate but existent social skills.) 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). There are many techniques that are useful in teaching children with autism communication and social skills. One method is the Responsive Classroom, an instructional approach that integrates the teaching of academic and social skills as an aspect of everyday classroom life (Sapona & Winterman, 2002, p. 30). According to Sapona and Winterman (2002) teachers implementing this model in their classroom include six comp... ... middle of paper ... ...avioral Skills to Children with Autism. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 10 (1), 1-9. Dempsey, I. & Foreman, P. ( 2001). A Review of Educational Approaches for Individuals with Autism. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 48 (1), 105-116. Kamps, D. et.al. (2002). Peer Training to Facilitate Social Interaction for Elementary Students with Autism and Their Peers. Exceptional Children, 68 (2), 173-187. Marks, S. et. al. (2003). Instructional Management Tips for Teahers of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Teaching Exceptional Children, 35 (4), 50-55. Dunlap, G. & Fox, L. Teaching Students with Autism. ERIC Digest, E582. Winterman, K. & Sapona, R. (2002). Everyone’s Included: Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Responsive Classroom Learning Environment. Teaching Exceptional Children, 35 (1), 30-35.
The issue of whether or not children with autistic disorders should be main-streamed, or placed in the same classrooms as non-autistic children, has been a very real concern for quite some time. While the debate is continuous, people often choose to side on a particular position of the argument without correctly evaluating all of the options. Should autistic children be main-streamed in regular classrooms, or should they be placed in self contained environments? Or, possibly, should a common ground be determined?
“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.
Their little brother, on the other hand, is a type of child that many educators would consider “normal” because he loves to learn and will sit in a chair diligently while completing tasks. However, I am also thinking about the way in which I interact with the little boy and other children that are considered “normal.” I am and want to be even more aware of the way I interact with the boy with autism. If he suddenly has an outburst or yells rather than speaks, how can I explain proper behavior to him without using the word “normal?” I am even more interested now in looking up strategies for interacting with children that have autism. I am also even more interested in looking up more strategies in how to help students pay attention besides commanding them to show “good” behaviors by sitting down and not moving at
The goal is to uncover each child’s unique motivations and use these to teach them the skills they need to know for life. Joining a child with autism rather than stopping them, will make a difference in gaining their trust. Having their trust will draw a close connection with them, making it possible for improved communication. Undoubtedly, the building blocks for a successful life with autism is to add a positive outlook. In addition to changing your reaction to their behaviors. I believe that these changes of going against the grain, will show the improvement of interactions.
1. People with autism have trouble with organizational skills, regardless of their intelligence and/or age. Even a "straight A" student with autism who has a photographic memory can be incapable of remembering to bring a pencil to class or of remembering a deadline or an assignment. In such cases, aid should be provided in the least restrictive way possible. Strategies could include having the student put a picture of a pencil on the cover of his notebook or maintaining a listof assignments to be completed at home. Always praise the student when he remembers something he has previously forgotten. Never denigrate or "harp" at him when he fails. A lecture on the subject will not only NOT help, it will often make the problem worse. He may begin to believe he can not remember to do or bring these things.
Autistic children are isolated from most schools, socially and within the classroom. Although most children with auti...
Informing teachers of the areas that students with autism spectrum disorder struggle in will better help them understand...
Orsmond, G. I., Krauss, M. W., & Seltzer, M. M. (2004). Peer relationships and social and recreational activities among adolescents and adults with autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 34(3), 245-256.
For this task, I observed a teacher in a moderate/severe Autism classroom. I chose to conduct my observation during the class’ calendar time, this is one of the few opportunities during the day when the teacher conducts whole group instruction. During the 30 minutes in which I observed, the teacher interacted with the students for 34 opportunities total. She gave nine opportunities to respond; 16 reprimands/corrective commands; 9 general praise statements, and zero behavior specific praise statements.
Autism is a disability that affects the brain to alter and impede social interactions and communications. Instead of just one precise type, there is a whole spectrum that encompasses autism. There are three primary types of autism, low functioning, functioning, and high functioning.
Nowadays, the most common treatments for Autism is behavioral therapy. ABA therapy is a very common technique used. (Simpson) The children with Autism are taught general social skills. One way this is taught is through modeling social behaviors to them and teaching them to imitate it.
The number of children that display autistic traits keeps rising and the need for services is at an all-time high. Out of 10,000 children born, 60 to 100 children and families will be affected by autistic spectrum disorder (Gulberg, 2010). Autism is characterized by a lack of connection to other people, even parents, and an avoidance of interpersonal situations (Feldman, 2011). Children with autism also show limited, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interest, and activities. Not one child with autism is the same as the next; each child has their own severity and indicators of autism. A child with intellectual disabilities and a gifted child can both be given the diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum, because of the wide range of severities. Many of these children will not attend special schools, but instead be included in the general education population by inclusion. Inclusion has been found to have a number of benefits for children with autism. In addition, negative perspectives have also come into play when discussing autism and inclusion. Furthermore, parents have the right to make decisions for their child on an individual basis.
What is Autism? People are quick to label people as Autistic but very rarely understand what it means though they may nod their head and say "ohh makes sense". Autism - also know as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder- is a complex developmental disorder affecting primarily ones communication and social interaction skills. Meaning they have difficulties communicating effectively or even at all. They struggle in social setting and don 't typically excel in social games or activities.
Jordan, R., & Powell, S. (1995). Understanding and Teaching Children with Autism. New York: Wiley.
“Autistic learning is of a disconnected kind and therefore pupils with autism need to be shown what connections are as well as what the specific connections are within the particular learning experience with which they are engaged.” (Powell, 2000)