Schools in!  Lessons taught without compassion are not lessons and are not worthy of hearing.

It seems school time is a significant factor in a young life and unfortunately if you are not armed with the right resources it can be quite destructive.  Yet let me tell you, it does not always have to be…

My son has been to seven schools!  He was put a year ahead due to the education system testing his IQ and finding he was well above the average child.  They believed his behaviour was due to being ‘bored’ .  Being a new mum, of course I listened to the professionals since they had that powerful piece of paper/degree that made them an expert on my child.

Our son was four when he was in grade one.  This meant that maturity levels were well behind his peers and of course we know a child with ASD/Aspergers is a bit behind in variable areas and this is one of them. So since he was in a class full of kids one year older than him the teachers would forget he was still a lot younger and hence he was punished instead of being worked with at his cognitive and maturity level.  (He will be sixteen years of age when he completes his Yr12 studies!)

I say that school either makes or breaks a child.  The school play ground reminds me of “Lord of the Flies”, where kids are thrown into a huge environment and they either fight their way to the top or they are squashed and battered on the bottom.

Yet as trusting parents we just drop our children off and may or may not understand the hidden elements that go on in both the classrooms and the play ground.  Our son basically had his own desk at the principal’s office. I guess I could give a bit of understanding to the education institutions by saying ASD/Aspergers was relatively unknown of at that current time and was just being explored and so I guess my son and many others were the guinea pigs of the schools.

Never once was I a mother who thought my child did ‘nothing wrong’.  Yet what I did know is something was different and a new way of educating and disciplining was needed.  But being a mere mother without a powerful degree behind me I was not heard or was not listened to, I was managed. So here’s what happened next…

This article by Kerri is too long too post on the blog but you can read it all by clicking here to open a document which contains the whole story

Thanks,

Dave Angel

Question

How do I know what my child should be learning at different ages and which homeschool programs are the most effective?

Answer

Homeschooling is often a great option for children with Autism.  At one time, the majority of homeschoolers pursued this educational choice for religious reasons, or to avoid local government sanctions.  Sometimes these reasons intertwined.  However, parents soon realized that individualized education indeed works well, especially for kids above and below the national average in academic ability.

Homeschooling is big business.  A quick Internet search will reveal hundreds of how-to websites for beginners.  All the information you need is readily available, whether it is what curriculum to use, the extent of your local homeschool laws, or finding support for new special needs homeschooling.  Here are some tips to get you started.

• Research your state’s homeschool laws very carefully.  Many states have strict requirements and most states have information on exactly what you are required to teach.   Some state education websites offer a scope and sequence.  This is a breakdown of skills taught by grade level.  This can be helpful regardless of your state’s homeschool reporting requirements.
• Find a state or local homeschool support group.  These groups have excellent tips and information for homeschooling right in your community.  You can get first-hand assistance on what to teach, when to teach, and how to teach.
• When searching for a good curriculum, look for websites devoted to homeschool curriculum reviews.  These websites publish tried and tested reviews from homeschooling families.  Watch out for reviews listed on business websites and also for paid reviews.  Some of these can be misleading.
• Choose your curriculum based on your child’s learning style.  Some children learn best from listening, some from seeing, and others from hands-on activities.  Homeschooling more than one child may mean a different curriculum for each child.

One of the many bonuses of homeschooling with Autism is the ability to tailor an educational program to meet your child’s needs.  Each subject is separate-there is no need to follow a set age or grade level.  You can match curriculum choices to your child’s strengths and weaknesses.  For example, you can use a computer program to teach reading, a video program for math, and unit studies with books from the library to cover history, science, and art.

Many homeschool resources are available for parents beginning their search.  Books like 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk will give you the guidance you need to create the right homeschool program for your family.

Thanks,

Dave Angel

Question:

How can I help him child with Aspergers realize his giftedness when he doesn’t want to study and has problems with reading and writing?

Answer:

Their giftedness is just one of the many special things that children with Aspergers have to offer the world.  It is very important that he realizes his special gift and embraces it as much as possible.  His giftedness can play a vital role in his future career, and it can bring him a great deal of happiness throughout his life.

You can help your son discover his giftedness and help him with his needs in reading and writing as well.

• Find a tutor that specializes in working with children with special needs.  A tutor can help your son improve his reading and writing skills.  He needs these important skills now and in the future.  It is best that you target this area as soon as possible.  You should make sure that the tutor has extensive experience working with children with Aspergers so that he or she understands how to approach his educational needs.

• Try out different special interest groups that you think your son will enjoy.  The best way to get your son to realize his giftedness is to expose him to different special interest groups.  He can make the decision to become a part of a certain group if he desires.  You can also help him to discover his giftedness by selecting certain groups that you think will help him discover his talents. This great way to help him narrow down his choices so that he can find something interests him sooner.

• Create opportunities for him to socialize with other children with Aspergers. Allowing him to be around other children with Aspergers will help him understand how gifted he is.  He can see how other children have discovered their special interest and use it in their daily lives.  Consider joining an Aspergers groups in your area so that your son has opportunities to mingle with other children with Aspergers so that they can show off their talents to each other.

• Consider using books on tape that relate to his area of giftedness.  A solution to his reading deficits is books on tape.  Allow him to listen to various stories that may interest him.  Topics in his area of giftedness are probably the best for your son.

In time, your son will discover how wonderful his giftedness is and how it can add to his experiences in life.  Expose him to different things so that he can understand the special gift that he has been given.

Additional Resources

Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use to meet the Academic Needs of the Gifted and Talented by Susan Winebrenner

Question:

How do you work with the children with Aspergers in the classroom?

Answer:

When one of your students has Asperger’s, classroom strategies will be necessary to keep everyone in harmony.  Children with Asperger’s Syndrome have very distinctive needs.  Usually very intelligent, the student with Asperger’s may struggle to make the grade due to the characteristics of this condition.  Sensory issues, difficulty with change and transitioning, and language pragmatics weakness are just a few of the many symptoms caused by Asperger’s Syndrome that can interfere with a child’s education.

As a classroom instructor, you must find a way to support your student with Asperger’s.  Classroom distractions, social situations, and the student’s tendency towards obsessive thinking and behavior can make this a difficult task.  Your first move should be towards purchasing a published resource.  You can find classroom guides for all types of special needs situations.

Your school’s special education department should have helpful information about the challenges of Asperger’s.  Classroom strategies should be available to you through this department.  As you begin to research classroom strategies for Asperger’s, here are some examples of what you may find.  You can eliminate those suggestions that do not apply to your classroom situation.

* Structure is one of the most common solutions since most students with Asperger’s Syndrome thrive in structured environments.  Keep your students engaged throughout the day for the best possible performance.

* Rules are important for all children, but kids with Asperger’s tend to be especially mindful of the rules.  Even in times when he desires to go a different direction, the rules will keep your student with Asperger’s on track, albeit, begrudgingly.

* Routine is another necessity.  Children with Asperger’s Syndrome need to know what is happening next or they can become anxious and unproductive.

* Advanced notice of any changes in routine will help reduce the drama caused by unexpected transitions.

* Verbal and visual aids like verbal time warnings, visual timers, and daily picture schedules can help ease the student’s mind about changes and transition times.

* A safe place is an area in or outside of the classroom that can be used during a meltdown, or to prevent a meltdown.

These are just a few of the many strategies you can use to assist your student with Asperger’s.  Classroom guidelines against bullying and negative social interactions should also be considered.  With these solutions in place, your classroom should remain a positive learning environment.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

P.S. Don’t forget there are lots more great education articles at my Aspergers Education Blog

Question:

How can I help my son with Aspergers to thrive at high school?

Answer:

The teenage years can be complicated for kids with Asperger’s.  High school can be a challenge. Juggling social relationships and the increased academic workload can be overwhelming. The teen with Asperger’s Syndrome must have the proper type of support at home and at school in order to be successful.  Resources are available to help families and school personnel develop a plan for the student with Asperger’s. “Success Strategies for Students with Asperger Syndrome & Autism,” by The Geneva Centre for Autism, is an example of one such resource.  This book gives examples of some common success strategies for students with Asperger’s.

You should work with your son’s school to develop a special plan for his Asperger’s.  High school special education programs are available for students who need extra assistance.  This educational plan, called an IEP (individual education plan) is developed by a team that consists of you, your son’s teachers, and any special education staff who know and work with him.  This IEP consists of educational goals, functional behavioral objectives, and special considerations and allowances.  Here are a few ideas on some special considerations you might find on a high school student’s IEP. These are in addition to the goals that are specific, time-limited statements that are determined by the student’s weaknesses.

• Time extension for all assignments

• Abbreviated assignments

• Oral testing with extra time allotment

• Modified grading (for example, chance to correct mistakes for additional grade)

• Anxiety management in the classroom

Once the IEP is developed and in place, you should offer additional help to your child with Asperger’s.  High school can be a positive experience with a little planning.  Here are a few things you can do at home that will enhance your son’s high school years.

* Be involved in his social life

* Arrange social activities to build his social skills.  Clubs geared towards his special interests are a great way to find people with similar interests.  This is great social skills practice.
 
* Pay attention to school happenings.  Bullying is a major problem for kids with Asperger’s.  Bullying can lead to anxiety, avoidance, isolation, and depression.

* Teach your son about daily living skills and organizational skills

* Personal hygiene often lacks importance in people with Asperger’s.  Help him stay on a regular bathing and dental hygiene schedule.

* Make sure he understands the importance of household chores.

* Help him work on time management and organization with written lists and daily schedules.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

Question:

Can you give me information on working with the school IEP for my child with Aspergers?
Answer:

When you have a child with Asperger’s, IEP negotiations are extremely important.  As the parents, you hold a vital position on the IEP team and unfortunately, many parents often feel undermined and in some cases, bullied into accepting the opinions and terms decided by the educational staff.  Your input is not only important, but also necessary in the development of a well-rounded IEP for your child.
In the days and weeks before your child with Aspergers’ IEP meeting, there are several things you can do to make the experience more pleasant and the outcome more positive.  This IEP is imperative to your child’s future.  Here is a list of suggestions for IEP preparation.

• Schedule private evaluations, if you desire.  Medical evaluations, including medically referred psychological testing, will present a complete diagnostic picture.  Educational evaluations are primarily geared towards diagnostics that affect only the specifics of the education process.  These two diagnoses can be different. Without a medical evaluation and official medical diagnosis, your child may miss vital services.
• Request access to all updated evaluation reports before the IEP meeting in order to prepare for the meeting.  You should not have to settle on glancing over the reports or hearing the results second-hand during the meeting.
• Know your child’s strengths and weaknesses so there are no big surprises during the IEP meeting.  If you know your child’s abilities and weaknesses, you will be better prepared to request additional services when needed and not offered.
• Represent yourself as an equal member of the IEP team.  Dress respectably, speak intelligently, and do not feel inferior.  Yes, the other members are education professionals, but you are an expert in your child.
• Make notes, ask questions, and request clarification before and during the IEP meeting.  When goals are set, be sure you understand the wording and that your thoughts are taken into consideration.
• Request time to review the IEP before signing.  There is no reason to rush through this process.  Take the IEP home, read over it, and make changes if necessary.  Do not sign until you are sure your child has the best IEP possible.

When you have a child with Asperger’s, the IEP should be treated as the important document and process that it is.  The IEP is the backbone to your child’s educational assistance.  If you have any questions about appropriate goals or specific questions about the IEP process, there are many great resources available.  This one, “How Well Does Your IEP Measure Up?” by Diane Twachtman-Cullen and Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, is just one example.

Thanks,

Dave Angel

Question

What is your opinion on how much influence and hounding a parent should do to their child with Aspergers when it comes to homework?

Answer

School can be a complex situation for children with Asperger’s.  Homework can be a real struggle, especially after spending an entire day forced to sit in the classroom.  Truthfully, parents of typically developing children also struggle with how to handle the homework dilemma.  Should you push, hover, beg, and plead?  Or, should you gently remind your child about his assignments and then let him face the consequences?  The answer lies somewhere in the middle.

There are several reasons why homework can be such an issue for children with Asperger’s.  Homework interferes with free time, which is better spent on that special interest.  Homework is hard because of the distractions of home.   What you need are real strategies to help your child prepare to do his best work.  “Strategies for Organization: Preparing for Homework and the Real World”, by Michelle Garcia Winner can help.  This DVD hits on one of the biggest issues that affect children with Asperger’s-organizational skills.  Focused specifically on homework issues, the skills talked about on this DVD can be applied to many other areas of a child’s life.

The main problems that interfere with a child with Aspergers’ homework are:

*    Lack of organizational skills.  Use written list, daily schedules, and a visual timer to help your child gain organizational skills.  Time management is often an area of concern and should be developed, as well.

*    Anxiety caused by frustration.  Teach your child relaxation techniques he can use during class (deep breathing, for example) and homework times to reduce frustration.  Anti-anxiety medications can help in moderate to severe cases.

*   Communication difficulties (pragmatics or comprehension).  Speech/language therapy can help your child with communication skills.  These therapies can be performed in the home with the help of published resources.

*    Cognitive reasoning.  Cognitive therapy is very helpful in this area.

Here are some final thoughts that may help you deal with the issues caused by Asperger’s homework.

*    What is his best time of day?  Does he work better right after school or after a play break and snack?

*    Is he easily distracted by noise or activity?  Set up a homework zone that suits his sensory needs.

*    What frustrates or upsets him?  Avoid these triggers before and during homework time.

*    Have you established a homework routine?  Children with Asperger’s work much better with a set routine.

You can have success with your child with Asperger’s.  Homework does not have to be a problem.  Remember, work with your child’s strengths and be consistent.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

PS If you’re worried about how your child is going to cope this Christmas, look out for some important information from me next week…

This week’s blog article is an excellent article by Matthew Readman. Many of you know Matthew’s writing, but if you don’t…

Matthew is a young man from Canada who writes for both the blog and The Parenting Aspergers Community, from his unique viewpoint as a teen who has Aspergers.

Here’s Matthew’s article about school…

This article is how I feel about school and what aspergers kids go through.  As I stated in an earlier article I just started grade 7.  I thought I was prepared, but boy was I wrong.  I am in a spilt grade 7/8 enrichment class with a new teacher.   The kids I knew from the previous year seemed to have changed and the new kids I find just don’t want to get to know you.    I have talked this over with my parents, but they don’t understand.  I think anyone who does not have apbergers can’t really understand.

At the beginning of the year my teacher talked to my parents about me having a chip on my shoulder, because I answer questions so thorough (in other words like a know it all). If I am asked a question about a topic, I will give you a full answer.  Maybe I do have some kind of chip on my shoulder from all the torment I have been put through from prior years being teased, bullied etc.  Maybe I do come across hard or domineering, I don’t mean too but after years of putting up a front I find it better than crying.  If you cry then you’re teased more.   I can’t seem to find any common ground with the other kids.   If you’re a boy who does not like sports kids call you either gay or just plain weird.  Since I am in an enrichment class the other kids in the school make fun of me for being smart.  You just can’t win.

The kids in the school are all in their little groups and if one kid in the group does not like you, the whole group ignores you.  Even in class, you’re always picked last or when you have to pick a partner, the people who are friends go straight for each other so you have no choice but to be on your own.  How do we even get a chance to try to make new friends if you don’t even get a chance?

It’s hard being a kid with aspergers.  It doesn’t matter what’s in your heart or how hard you try to do the right thing, this lack of social skills that we need are killing us.  I have heard my parents talk through the years try to be nice, find a common ground, ignore the jerks, think before you speak ( I even had a class mate tell me he hates the way my voice sounds it’s too high!!)   How socially do you deal with that?

I have been taught all my life how to try to read people.  I find this hard because when I am happy, I am happy I will sing, smile, laugh and when I get angry, it’s really hard for me to control.  But when you try to read other kids emotions, they can be happy but don’t even smile.  How do you read kids emotions when half the time they have a blank stare on their face?

I try to find some way in my articles to help people cope through aspergers, but I think this article is more for the kids who are going through the same problems at school, that they are not alone.   Yes it’s hard to be a kid in school with asbergers.  Normal children do not know how much we struggle, cry and get frustrated.    The most important thing to get across is there is no easy answer.  God I wish there was, I wish someone could just wave a magical wand and give all the kids with asbergers the social skills we need to get through this.

The only consolation I can give is talk to your parents and let your emotions out because I know if I kept them in I would now be a basket case or completely withdrawn and would not want to talk with anyone.   The only good things I find having aspergers is I do not give up.  I will keep trying even if there are more tears than happiness I will keep trying.

If anyone has any new techniques on how to make friends or how they have coped could you please add comments here on the blog for Matthew to read.

—-> If you enjoyed Matthew’s article and would like to read some more of his work then he has 10 other articles published at present at The Parenting Aspergers Community. You can take a 14 day trial of The Parenting Aspergers Community for just $1 at http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/639.cfm <—-

When you have a child with Asperger’s, IEP negotiations are extremely important.  As the parents, you hold a vital position on the IEP team and unfortunately, many parents often feel undermined and in some cases, bullied into accepting the opinions and terms decided by the educational staff.  Your input is not only important, but also necessary in the development of a well-rounded IEP for your child.

In the days and weeks before your child with Aspergers’ IEP meeting, there are several things you can do to make the experience more pleasant and the outcome more positive.  This IEP is imperative to your child’s future.  Here is a list of suggestions for IEP preparation.

*    Schedule private evaluations, if you desire.  Medical evaluations, including medically referred psychological testing, will present a complete diagnostic picture.  Educational evaluations are primarily geared towards diagnostics that affect only the specifics of the education process.  These two diagnoses can be different. Without a medical evaluation and official medical diagnosis, your child may miss vital services.

*    Request access to all updated evaluation reports before the IEP meeting in order to prepare for the meeting.  You should not have to settle on glancing over the reports or hearing the results second-hand during the meeting.

*    Know your child’s strengths and weaknesses so there are no big surprises during the IEP meeting.  If you know your child’s abilities and weaknesses, you will be better prepared to request additional services when needed and not offered.

*    Represent yourself as an equal member of the IEP team.  Dress respectably, speak intelligently, and do not feel inferior.  Yes, the other members are education professionals, but you are an expert in your child.

*    Make notes, ask questions, and request clarification before and during the IEP meeting.  When goals are set, be sure you understand the wording and that your thoughts are taken into consideration.

*    Request time to review the IEP before signing.  There is no reason to rush through this process.  Take the IEP home, read over it, and make changes if necessary.  Do not sign until you are sure your child has the best IEP possible.

When you have a child with Asperger’s, the IEP should be treated as the important document and process that it is.  The IEP is the backbone to your child’s educational assistance.  If you have any questions about appropriate goals or specific questions about the IEP process, there are many great resources available.  This one, “How Well Does Your IEP Measure Up?” by Diane Twachtman-Cullen and Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly, is just one example.

That’s all for this week and thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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Question

Can you help explain more about Aspergers and sensory issues in the school setting?

Answer

Sensory integration disorder affects most children with Asperger’s.  Sensory systems control every move we make and a faulty sensory system leads to problems that affect many areas of education.  It is important to understand the sensory systems and how they work.  The three main sensory systems are the tactile, vestibular, and the proprioceptive systems.

In the school setting, children with Asperger’s sensory issues can really suffer.  Children may be over sensitive to sensory input, or they may be under sensitive to input.   Most children are a mixture of sensitivity within the sensory systems.  Here are some of the commonly affected areas within each of the three sensory systems.

*    Lights

*    Sounds

*    Smells

*    Touch

*    Stimming-spinning, rocking, hand flapping, or humming

*    Loss of balance

*    Sensory seeking crashing, falling, or bumping into things or people

*    Fine motor/tactile grasp-(poor grasp affects handwriting)

Disruptions caused by the Asperger’s sensory connection interfere with all aspects of the child’s life.  It is imperative that these sensory problems are addressed.  Occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy, both performed by occupational therapists, are the most common treatments for sensory issues.  A good sensory profile plan will look like play and will be fun for the child.  It will include a variety of activities like joint compressions, deep pressure massage, skin or body brushing, swinging, and jumping.  Remember, each child’s sensory profile is unique, so these activities will vary.

In the school setting, a child with Asperger’s sensory issues will need this sensory profile and corresponding activities in order to remain calm and focused.  For example, a sensory-seeking child may jump on a trampoline for a few minutes before tackling his math lesson.  Teachers must be aware of the sensory needs to keep order in the classroom.  This book, “Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration”, by Stacey Szklut and others, can be a very useful resource for teachers.  Even though this book is geared towards teachers, parents can also benefit from the knowledge on sensory integration found within its pages.
Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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