#3 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism

Hello!

This is day three of my project to create a list of 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism in the Classroom.  At first, I wasn’t certain that I would be able to come up with over one hundred suggestions … but I already have 30 ideas for suggestions and I haven’t even covered everything the teacher could do before or during the child’s first day of school! 

But one suggestion at a time, so please read my third suggestion for the teacher of an autistic child.

Category: Before the Child’s first day in the classroom

Suggestion #3:  Request that a functional behavior analysis is done for the child.

Contact the schools therapist or psychologist to see if a functional behavior analysis has already been done for the child.  If one has not been done, and you came across any indication during Suggestion #2 that the child sometimes reacts strongly or emotionally in the classroom environment, request that one be done as soon as possible.

#2 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism

Hello again!

On Friday, I started a list of 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism in the Classroom.  As I stated in that post, this list is to help assist the teacher in working with the children in their classroom.  Please read my second suggestion!!

Category: Before the Child’s first day in the classroom

Suggestion#2:  Review the information you have on the child before you meet them.

Review any information that has already been gathered by your school on the child.  Look for any information on how the child conducts themselves in the classroom.  While reviewing this information, make a list of all the items that the child has difficulty with that may affect their day at school (i.e. transitioning from one room to next, listening to multi step directions, etc). 

#1 101 Ways a Teacher Could Help a Child with Autism

Hello!

I have been frustrated with some of the care that my son has received from the school system over the years … I always wonder why the teachers don’t do X, Y, and Z that would make life so much better for my son, make him so much calmer, less anxious and in turn, make the classroom more peaceful. 

So, I decide to take all of that frustrated energy and start to compile, in one place, all of the different ways in which the classroom could change to make it more comfortable, interesting, and safe for autistic children. 

These suggestions are written for the teacher and I hope some of these ideas will help you with the children in your classroom!!

Category: Before the Child’s first day in the classroom

Suggestion #1: Compile a list of all of the "rules of the classroom"

There are many things that can be done to help make the child more comfortable in your classroom that are best to be taken care of before their first day.  One important thing to do is to compile a list of all of the “rules of the classroom.”  Try to think of all the rules that the child will need to know in the general course of the day.  Communicating with an autistic child can be very difficult.  Having these rules written down and given to the parents to explain to the child before they come in will make it easier for you to reinforce them.  Remember, many of these rules may not be enforced in the home (say if one of your rules is no gum) or may not have been enforced in the previous classroom.  This will be very confusing to the child, confusion that may be reduced by reviewing these rules beforehand.

Also, don't think of this list as the Parent Handout Book, or a list of the school rules put together by the principle's office.  Althoug it may be good to use the Parents Handout Book as a reference to find out what items the child cannot bring into school, etc - but the purpose of this list is for you to communicate your rules.  Think of all the things that you have to tell children, like please raise your hand before you leave to go to the bathroom.

I have many more (about a hundred) and my goal is to post one a day!  Until tomorrow!At first, only give the list to the parent to review.  Please follow suggestion #4 before reviewing the rules with the child.

~Michelle

Everyone has a place in life

I have been struggling recently with my son's school ... we have different ideas on how to help my son ... and I can see that their idea's aren't working well. 

Then I go home to my son, and see some of the wonderful things he will create, and my hope is restored.  Please look at the picture he just drew with an on line sketch software ... you can tell that he likes the TV show Lost!

Dark Room Fate

This is a poem my son wrote about being in school.

Dark Room Fate

As I sit in this dark room, I realize who’s betrayed me.  My friends, you look surprised, would you like me to say it again, my friends! But don’t fear, I forgive you as the others.  But it is because of you that I weep, sleep, and eat here.  Looking, searching trying to find the light.  It is because of your greed, lust for power, abandonment of friendship that I, your closest friend, has to freeze in this cold dark room.  So don’t mock me by standing there.  I know you know, as with all the others, I see that look, that sense of regret.  Don’t bother, the fates have chosen my fate. 

Playing life, like a string ready to be cut in half, my fate has been sealed.  So I say good bye, and as I sit in this dark lonely room, I take my final gasp.

Frustration, autism, and educational bureaucrats

I am imagining sending a blind child to gym class.  The child keeps on getting hit in the face with flying balls.  After about the twentieth or so time of being knocked down, the child throws a full on temper tantrum, screams, cries.
The educator’s response?  But we told the blind child to duck when a ball is coming.

Now, wouldn't that response be ludicrous?  But they do this all the time with autistic children.

Example:
Autistic trait: it is hard for an autistic child to communicate; they have a hard time expressing their feelings.

My son is on a schedule to help him make it in the school environment; he needs to know what is going on.  One day, there is a field trip scheduled.  The teacher doesn't believe that he will do well on the field trip, so they let me know, and I let him know that he is not going on the trip.  On the day of the field trip, the outing is canceled due to poor weather.  Instead, they are going to have a movie.  No one tells my son that he can go to the movie even though he was not allowed to go on the field trip.  No one tells him to put the movie on his daily schedule.  He becomes really agitated, starts crying, thinking that everyone is going to get to go to the movie but him.
The teacher’s response:  Why didn't he just ask us?

WHAT?!?! 

I am sorry but I am soooooooooo frustrated with the school and the curriculum.  They are constantly doing things that push the buttons of an autistic child, and then step back and say "well, why didn't he say anything?"  The curriculum is NOT set up for an autistic child.  They are constantly asking him questions like "how do you feel about the main character?"  And THEN they call me and don't understand why he just breaks down and starts crying?

Again and again I am disappointed by the total lack of understanding and forethought that goes into educating these children. 

I am frustrated.

Temple Grandin Movie

I watched the Temple Grandin movie with my son last night and really enjoyed it!  My mother has been telling me how good it was, and last night I finally watched it.  My son really liked it as well, and it was an opportunity to discuss some things with him about his behavior ... I think it is also good for him to see someone with autism succeed.  Clair Danes did an excellent job of portraying some of the difficulties that autistic people face ... showing at the same time how hard it was for Temple, but also how she overcame the difficulties that she faced.  My child, who is thirteen, understands his autism, and I believe the movie was encouraging for him -- if you have not yet seen this, I highly recommend!  :o)