tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660756610483652722024-02-18T22:16:20.983-08:00Autistic Child's ParentMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-57156236741447317752012-01-03T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-03T12:32:47.268-08:00#31 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">: General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #31:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t ask them if they want to do something that you need them to do, there is a good chance that they will take you literally .</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Often in the English language we say things that we don’t re</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ally mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a parent asks their four year child “Would you like to go to the grocery store with me?” – they aren’t really asking the child to make a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most neuro typical children would pick up on this, and know that even if they said “not really” that they still would have to go with their Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Language like this can be confusing to an autistic child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ask them if they want to do something that you need to do, what are you going to do if they say no?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Try to convince them that they really do want to go</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> they may become frustrated that you are not listening to them when they say that they don’t want to.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Force them to go anyway </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> they may think you are being cruel for forcing them to do something that they just told you they didn’t want to do.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A clearer thing to say might be “I need to go to the grocery store for dinner and I would like to leave now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to leave now, or would you like ten more minutes to finish watching your cartoons?” </span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-43032007470599897852011-12-30T06:32:00.001-08:002011-12-30T06:32:52.208-08:00#30 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">: General guidelines when dealing with autistic children<o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #30:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Many autistic children like facts and think very logically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Present to them the rules you would like them to follow accompanied with the facts on why it is important to follow those rules.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This always works wonders with my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he knows that something is a rule, he will want to follow it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is up to us to clearly communicate what the rules are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make them simple, easy to understand, and state them clearly without using hyperbole or exaggeration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, I would recommend that they know what to do when they see someone else break a rule – that they come find an adult when one of the rules is not followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their passion for the rules can be high, and if they see someone else break a rule, they may feel obliged to enforce it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them an avenue to do so (coming to find the adult).</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-43801290406828847162011-12-01T12:32:00.000-08:002011-12-01T12:32:41.987-08:00#29 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">S</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">uggestion #29:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avoid power struggles.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This advice is a lot easier to say than it is to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, there are ways to avoid power struggles with a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By finding ways to offer them a choice between activities and other methods, you can avoid putting yourself and them in a head to head contest of wills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is just as much for your benefit as it is for theirs as, if you start trying to insist on a certain path with an autistic child, you may find that their determination can far outpace your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Avoiding the confrontational situations from the start is preferential as you don’t want them to start to think that you will back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also don’t want to have to punish them and hold them down for screaming and thrashing because of something completely avoidable, like you wanted them to have the snack after the play ground break instead of the other way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you aren’t careful and are too rigid, you might end up with those types of incidents.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am going to come back to this blog and add some links on additional methods to avoid power struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, please offer your thoughts in the comment section below. </span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-68744250188365010952011-11-30T10:32:00.000-08:002011-11-30T10:46:21.291-08:00#28 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #28:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A young autistic child will strongly associate their feelings about you with what you do with them and for them.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all do this to some degree, don’t we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both my sister and I love to plan things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that because of this, when they were little, my niece’s and nephew were always sooooo excited to see me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, why wouldn’t they be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always meet up with my sister at amusement parks, play grounds, swimming pools, pony rides, you name it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of what we did together, it was easy to be the “fun” adult!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe that this connection between what you do with someone and how much you like them is even stronger for a young child with autism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please give me a moment, and I believe that I can explain why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were a child, and your mother introduced you to someone she respected, you noticed how she treated that person, how she defered to that person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of when she introduced you to your kindergarten teacher; you just knew that it was important for you to do what this teacher wanted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, imagine that you are oblivious to social cues, and imagine the same meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that you had no clue that your parent wanted you to respect this person, this teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now imagine that this person starts asking you to do this, to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has this person ever done for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should you stop playing to come inside, because they said so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should you stop playing with these fascinating blocks and sit quietly and listen to the story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, who does this person think they are?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to go home!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, remember, there is always a connection between what you do with a person and what they think of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger the child is, and the less they understand social cues, and the less time that they have to know and respect you for other things, the more important it is going to be for you to establish a relationship with them through fun activities.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-13955813742738570222011-11-29T12:47:00.000-08:002011-11-29T12:47:43.531-08:00#26 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">S</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">uggestion #26<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If it is a new experience, do not expect them to be verbally responsive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to eliminate all unnecessary questions during the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the questions after.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn’t only true of new experience, but also any situation in which that requires their concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they are focused on something, it is difficult for them to process what you are saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, before they go into a new situation, give them directions and ask them if they have any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be hard for them to ask once the activity has been started.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-5262320664742164292011-11-04T05:57:00.000-07:002011-11-04T05:57:18.778-07:00#27 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #27:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They are not motivated to try to please people that they have just met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to coax or talk them into something they do not want to do may frustrate them.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My son is very shy when meeting new people, he doesn’t want to look them in the eye or carry on a conversation with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is also true when he meets new adults or care givers that are supposed to be in charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, many adults who are placed in charge of children start to give them directions, even before the child becomes familiar with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the autistic child doesn’t know you, they don’t understand why they should do what you say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may find you asking them to do something that is distasteful to them, and they will wonder why they should, or even if they have to listen to you at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of it from their perspective, if you went into a place and someone you didn’t know started telling you to do something that you didn’t want to, wouldn’t you be irritated?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words, try to make the first couple of times that you are in charge of the child as fun as possible, focus on what it is that they like to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have the mother, or a care giver that they are familiar with, let them know the rules and tell them about the less preferred activities.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-9020917214494002282011-10-13T11:19:00.000-07:002011-10-13T11:19:08.764-07:00#25 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #25:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Role plays for them what is going to happen before they go into a new situation.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I find that my son has a very difficult time asking questions once he becomes agitated or upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, role playing helps him tremendously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is able to communicate any questions that he might have at time when he isn’t upset or over stimulated.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-43636143433255950472011-10-06T09:22:00.000-07:002011-10-06T09:22:58.774-07:00#24 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #24:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avoid multiple directions from multiple people -- have one main person giving them directions<o:p></o:p></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sister recently went through a very difficult week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person very close to her was rushed to the hospital with a serious illness, there was flash flooding in her town and her furnished basement had a foot of water, and then her laptop had a fatal error.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she saw the message on the screen of her laptop, thinking that she had just lost all of her files, she froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she sat there starting at the screen for twenty minutes before she could move, not able to comprehend everything that could have been lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing many people who have not worked with autistic children don’t realize, is that type of mental overload happens to the child all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might have happened to you at one time, if you think back over your life you may think of a time when so much happened to you in such a small space of time that you just couldn’t process it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just shut down for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, imagine going through that shut down and having many different people asking you questions at the same time; would that be helpful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, imagine one person, speaking very clearly in short, simple, clear directions; that would be better, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still might be hard for you to really understand what they are saying, but you would have a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too many people giving directions at once is just going to be confusing to an autistic child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any situation that they are in during the school day, they should have one particular person that will explain things to the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best case, it would be the same person all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very least, the child should be told who they are to communicate their questions to and who will be giving them directions. </span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-4496829267718205142011-09-23T05:38:00.000-07:002011-09-23T05:38:08.391-07:00#23 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #23<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If the child is showing sign of being upset, allow them time to calm down.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Autistic children may become over stimulated and overwhelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially, their mind needs time to process and they may need more time than you would think to process whatever it is that is upsetting them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will be so much easier for them to handle, if you slow down the stimulus as soon as you notice them becoming agitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asking them a lot of questions is not the way to lower their stimulus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, try to remove them away from any loud noises and sensory input before they are at a breaking point.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-61628740776101900532011-09-13T11:35:00.000-07:002011-09-13T11:35:26.642-07:00#22 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #22:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avoid surprises during less preferred activities or transitions.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I have said before, communicating with autistic children may be difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if they hear what you are saying, they may not understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the reasons why setting up a schedule for them is so important, that way they will know what is happening, which lowers the amount of communication necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they have a hard time transitioning from one class to another, and you (during their transition) change something on them with no warning before the transition starts, you could seriously throw them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may need all of their concentration to be on simply getting to the next class. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So please be certain to warn them if even the smallest thing might be different during this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Examples: we are not going to bring your back pack with us; a different TA is going to walk you to the class; we are not going to be having snack during this period, it will be in the next)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how small the change, they will have a hard time understanding why it has to change and they will need time to process and adjust to the fact that it has been changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would greatly increase the difficulty for them to process this information if they also have to transition at the same time.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-16754113430588937992011-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:002011-09-12T05:53:46.001-07:00#21 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #21<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Use dulcet tones when speaking with the child. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many autistic children are hyper sensitive to stimuli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speak in calm reassuring tones, even if you are starting to become frustrated with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you sound stressed, they may pick up on that and become stressed themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This stress will make it even harder for them to comply with your requests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In other words, yelling or speaking harshly to an atypical person may get their attention and cause them to react quickly (think of the military boot camp and the drill sergeants yelling at the men and women to move faster).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opposite may happen if you raise your voice (even slightly) to try to have the autistic child react more quickly to your request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hear the stress in your voice, and will react to it, causing their brain to become over stimulated and lower their ability to respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping this in mind is especially important in situations where the child’s safety is at risk. </span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-1507614856602683682011-09-09T05:54:00.000-07:002011-09-09T07:44:00.275-07:00#20 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #20:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tell them specifically what you want them to do, avoid the negative.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I have mentioned before, communicating with an autistic child is extremely important, and they often process information differently than we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a child is standing on a chair and you don’t want them to do that, saying “don’t do that!” may not help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you say not to do something, they have to try and think of what exactly it is that you want them to do, and what is it that you are asking them not to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, say “please sit on the chair with your butt touching the chair and your feet on the floor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you have told them exactly what you want them to do, there is no ambiguity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use clean, concise requests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, try to avoid using figures off speech, hyperbole, or exaggerating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I told my son, after he ran onto my bed without asking, that he was to get “every speck of dirt out of my bed;” so he brushed the bed once with his hand, and then broke down crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly realized that getting every speck of dirt out was impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat and cried for 20 minutes before I could explain that I wanted him to get “as much dirt out as possible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then finished brushing the bed.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-19834778724711475762011-08-04T11:44:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:44:53.458-07:00#19 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</strong></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #19:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>Don’t touch the child or the child’s stuff without asking them</em>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Children with autism may process sensory inputs differently than a typical child does; this may cause them to be very sensitive to touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, they do not always understand social situation and social norms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they walk onto the bus, and the bus monitor grabs their backpack, they may think that the person is trying to take it from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a good chance that they will not understand that this taking is just temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the monitor simply said “may I please help you with that until you are in your seat with your seatbelt buckled,” that would be very helpful for the child’s understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, even this may not be enough if the child has difficulty communicating or has limited communication skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please try and wait for the child to actually tell you that it is okay for you to touch them or their things.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-2320895222280190082011-08-03T09:08:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:08:01.701-07:00#18 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General guidelines when dealing with autistic children</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #18:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ask the parent about early indicators and develop techniques that help calm the child.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ask the parent how the child reacts when they become over stimulated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each child is different, and you want to know the child's earliest signs that they have become agitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the child may not be easy to read, there may be a tell tale sign or indicator that they are starting to become frustrated:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>their shoulders may slouch, or they may only grunt responses rather than talk, or they may look at the ground and not look up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever these early indicators are, you want to know that the child is becoming over stimulated or frustrated so that you can implement some calming strategies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A typical calming strategy would be to move the child away from whatever is frustrating them and have the child go to the break room that is mentioned again in Suggestion #42.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The occupational therapist may have some strategies that may be put in place; music may help calm the child, or drawing. Each child will be different so look for things that the like to do that could also be considered relaxing.</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-54241679558454192802011-08-02T11:30:00.000-07:002011-08-02T11:30:32.657-07:00#17 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the child’s first day in the classroom</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #17:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Create a reward structure for the child and review with the parent and child<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have the school psychologist create a reward structure for the child that is appropriate for the child’s attention span, age, and special needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Review this reward structure with the child and parent during the meeting in suggestion #9.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-28980829576276667172011-08-01T06:50:00.000-07:002011-08-01T09:07:46.808-07:00#16 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category: Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #16<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Create a list of guidelines for the adults who will come in contact with the child</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Based on the guidance you have received from the school psychologist and other information that you have gathered on the child, create a list of simple rules that those interacting with the child would want to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the bus monitor and your teacher’s assistant may have ample experience dealing with special needs children, they may not be aware of some of the unique requirements of an autistic child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be posting some general guidelines for dealing with autistic children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please read them over, have your school psychologist review them, and add or make notes appropriately.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-8982951724997233402011-07-28T11:32:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:32:13.707-07:00#15 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #15:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>Ask the parent bring in a change of comfortable clothes.</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many autistic children have heightened sensitivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they spill a glass of water on their shirt, it may be nearly impossible for them to ignore the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A child that is uncomfortable will have a difficult time studying or learning, it will be hard for them to focus on their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them know that you have a comfortable change of clothes available for them, that they can change into at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, if a shirt is scratchy, they can change right away rather than trying to wait until they are home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would recommend this, no matter the age of the child.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-31020648840188990202011-07-27T05:23:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:17:44.524-07:00#13 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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Suggestion #13: <em>Show <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">the child the outline you made of their day at school.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the <a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong>Suggestion #9</strong></a>, present to the parent and the child the plan of the child’s day at school that you created for<a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/7-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"> <strong>Suggestion #7</strong></a><strong>.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go through the day that the child will have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus your attention on the child and determine if they show any anxiety from some of the activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the parents if they feel the child will have difficulty with any part of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be fooled if the child showed no outward signs of stress, but the parents still believes a particular activity will be difficult for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Autistic children don’t typically display their feelings until they become very overwhelmed by them; but they are feeling a lot, you will just see very little signs of it in their face or demeanor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the parents and the child have no concerns about your plan for their day, give them the plan and ask the parents to review it with the child the nights before the first day of school.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If they do have concerns, take notes of what they have concerns about and determine if you can be proactive and modify the child’s schedule in order to remove the problems before the child’s first day. </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-29501920822759202012011-07-26T06:19:00.001-07:002011-07-28T08:19:24.483-07:00#14 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #14: <em>Determine how dependent the child is on the parent to communicate for them.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During <strong><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html">Suggestion #9</a></strong>, ask the child a question directly and notice if the parents answer the question for the child rather than waiting for the child to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many autistic children have difficulty communicating with others; because of this, the child may rely heavily on the parent to communicate their needs for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the parents if the child ever becomes distressed when they drop them off at school or daycare, and if so, have they put any practices or therapies in place to help the child with separation anxiety?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, ask the school therapist or councilor if they have any recommendations on handling separation anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-6829672727974228362011-07-25T05:32:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:21:41.773-07:00#12 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category:<strong> Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #12: <span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em>Show the child their morning routine</em>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the meeting in </span><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #9</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, walk the child through the morning routine that you have created for them in </span><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/5-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #5</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Exp: </span>Coming into school, setting your back pack there below your desk, getting out your pencil, sharpening your pencil, sitting in your seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the parents what they think of the routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the child if they have any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, the morning routine should be relaxing for the child after transitioning off of the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because autistic children have difficulty communicating with others, they often find comfort in knowing exactly what they need to do and this routine will calm them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if the routine includes any less preferred activities, simply knowing what they need to do will not help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on the feedback from the parents and child, alter the morning routine if necessary.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-48798966545166373922011-07-22T05:07:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:23:02.261-07:00#11 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category:<strong> Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #11: <em> Review list of school rules with the child.</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the meeting in <a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong>Suggestion #9</strong></a>, bring out the list of School Rules that you modified in <a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong>Suggestion #4</strong></a> and show them to the parent and the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the parent if they already reviewed the rules with the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the child if they have any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are able to retain the child’s attention, read out loud any rules that the child will need to know before they enter the classroom (like safety rules on the bus ride, or items that they will not be able to bring into the classroom).</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-57590159643538963182011-07-21T05:34:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:24:21.046-07:00#10 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Category:<strong> Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suggestion #10: <em>Review with parent the questions that you have about the child</em>.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During the meeting in<strong> </strong><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong>Suggestion #9</strong></a>, review the questions that you sent to the parents from <a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/8-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong>Suggestion #8</strong></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus especially on the child’s likes and dislikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not able to set up a meeting, call the parent and review the questions over the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If many of the likes of the child are outdoor activities, perhaps swimming, then ask the parents for more likes and dislikes about indoor activities, especially activities (like drawing or reading) that may take place in the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also find out likes that you may be able to tie to learning activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Example, if the child likes animals, this may help them with studying science or biology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the child is interested in dinosaurs, you could find some stories with dinosaurs for Language Arts.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-65805897908313642902011-07-20T05:27:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:26:04.808-07:00#9 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #9: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em>Schedule a meeting with the child and parent.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set up a meeting with the child and one or both of their parents (or primary care givers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to arrange it so that this meeting will take place in the child’s primary classroom and try to allow for about an hour of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the meeting, observe how the child reacts to the classroom, how long either you or the parents are able to maintain the child’s interest, and the overall activity level of the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note if there is anything in the classroom that the child gravitates toward or they find fascinating.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-74953194483816141042011-07-19T05:09:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:26:56.246-07:00#8 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #8: <em> Write down questions you have for the parent.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepare a list of questions for the child’s parents that will help you know the child better; make the list taking into consideration the information that you have already gathered in </span><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/101-ways-teacher-could-help-child-with_11.html"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #2</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://autisticchildsparent.blogspot.com/2011/07/3-101-ways-teacher-could-help-child.html"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#3</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contact the psychologist in your school to see if they have a list of questions or literature that would aid you in making your list of question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ensure that your questions include the child’s likes and dislikes.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466075661048365272.post-5507181448582503632011-07-18T08:19:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:27:36.032-07:00#7 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Category: <strong>Before the Child’s first day in the classroom</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suggestion #7: <em>Prepare a visual presentation of the child's day at school to present to the parent and child.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modify your outline of the child’s day at school in a way that you can present it to the parent and child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children with autism may be sensitive and very aware of certain sensory input.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take this into consideration when preparing your presentation and try to use visual aids, including pictures of yourself, the teacher’s assistant, the classroom, the child’s desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps make a recording of the TA’s voice and of your voice saying hello to the child, say your name and what the child should call you.</span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591383743485273298noreply@blogger.com0