Guest guest Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 Wonder if anyone can share any info. with a friend - her post is as follows: >>Does anyone have any experience with extreme forms of autism? I am applying for a job as teacher in a state school that has students with severe and complex learning difficulties which includes 40% autistic children. What I'm most interested in is - what strategies and approaches have been found to work with children with these conditions? I will be a class teacher to 8 students and have the help of 2 teaching assistants. I'm trying to find out the sort of work we will be doing (while following the Nat Curr.) and the teaching approaches used that are most effective. The age range is 13 - 14. Does anyone know of a website where i could find out more about teaching across the autistic spectrum? Is it likely to be as coercive as regular high schools? *I've heard some horror stories about some special needs schools so thought it might be good if she can get some good advice from the right people, i.e. the loving parents. Julea ) Things are only impossible, until they're not. The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for. Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything. http://www.Emagforall.netfirms.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Dear Julea: I've been reading a good book called Do-Watch-Listen-Say by Kathleen Ann Quill. Remember that good intervention leads to improvement in virtually all children. Also, your attitude, however subtle, can affect their self-esteem. Following are some notes that I've personally written for my son. We're trying to put him into a Waldorf school: Ideas For Helping Santi Be Successful in Kindergarten Even though he may appear not to be listening and/or watching, always speak to him appropriately, explaining, commenting, interacting with respect If there are topics that are very difficult for him, break it down into increments. Also, communicate to parents so they can help him after school Teach other children the sign language for " play " Always remain calm and optimistic. This will help him do the same. He may need more breaks than other children. He can say or sign for " break " , but don't let him manipulate. Can take a walk and sing songs or use flash cards. If necessary, use a picture schedule to help him feel organized If you want him to learn a new word, say, " This is a _____. What is it? " Once he responds, ask him one more time, " What is it? " He needs constant positive praise and hugs and sincere interest. He likes massage. Self esteem is paramount If he does something undesired have him look into your eyes and calmly say, " no. " Any form of verbalization or social attempt is a good thing. Do not reprimand for this, but help him mold his behavior. He may act rough with other children, wanting to wrestle. This is good, showing interest in socialization. Help him mold his behavior appropriately in a positive manner. Although the aide is for Santi, let other children work with her too so he's not always singled out. Do not make him feel labeled. Don't always shadow him as he needs to learn independence Each and every week, expect a bit more from him i.e. sitting calmly, paying attention, more language, interest in other children, more independence, more willingness to try something new. Anticipate success. Mistakes are inevitable for any child, but they are valuable learning experiences. Use as an opportunity to teach and assist. Give him jobs to do to feel important and connected (i.e. handing out or collecting papers) Look for opportunities to offer him choices to allow him to practice decision-making skills. Reward direction, not just perfection. Have a no teasing policy, including playground and any other breaks As he has food intolerances, please only feed him what parents provide. If he shows interest in other foods/drinks, please let parents know as it may be o.k. If he crosses his legs, he probably needs to have a B.M. He'll need your assistance Please see enclosed notes from Quill. Other good references are Dr. Greenspan; Communication Skill Builders, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Jill, This is awesome. Thanks for sharing it. I'm in the process of moving my son into sessions of day care (he's three years old) and have been worried about how to inform the day care centre of my son's needs. I have heard of Do-Watch-Listen-Say as a wonderful resource so now you have also mentioned it I will seek it out for our particular use. Thanks again - Jaci, Australia > Dear Julea: > > I've been reading a good book called Do-Watch-Listen-Say by Kathleen > Ann Quill. Remember that good intervention leads to improvement in > virtually all children. Also, your attitude, however subtle, can > affect their self-esteem. Following are some notes that I've > personally written for my son. We're trying to put him into a > Waldorf school: > > > Ideas For Helping Santi Be Successful in Kindergarten > > Even though he may appear not to be listening and/or watching, always > speak to him appropriately, explaining, commenting, interacting with > respect > > If there are topics that are very difficult for him, break it down > into increments. Also, communicate to parents so they can help him > after school > > Teach other children the sign language for " play " > > Always remain calm and optimistic. This will help him do the same. > He may need more breaks than other children. He can say or sign > for " break " , but don't let him manipulate. Can take a walk and sing > songs or use flash cards. > > If necessary, use a picture schedule to help him feel organized > > If you want him to learn a new word, say, " This is a _____. What is > it? " Once he responds, ask him one more time, " What is it? " > > He needs constant positive praise and hugs and sincere interest. He > likes massage. Self esteem is paramount > > If he does something undesired have him look into your eyes and > calmly say, " no. " > > Any form of verbalization or social attempt is a good thing. Do not > reprimand for this, but help him mold his behavior. He may act rough > with other children, wanting to wrestle. This is good, showing > interest in socialization. Help him mold his behavior appropriately > in a positive manner. > > Although the aide is for Santi, let other children work with her too > so he's not always singled out. Do not make him feel labeled. > > Don't always shadow him as he needs to learn independence > > Each and every week, expect a bit more from him i.e. sitting calmly, > paying attention, more language, interest in other children, more > independence, more willingness to try something new. Anticipate > success. > > Mistakes are inevitable for any child, but they are valuable learning > experiences. Use as an opportunity to teach and assist. > > Give him jobs to do to feel important and connected (i.e. handing out > or collecting papers) > > Look for opportunities to offer him choices to allow him to practice > decision-making skills. > > Reward direction, not just perfection. > > Have a no teasing policy, including playground and any other breaks > > As he has food intolerances, please only feed him what parents > provide. If he shows interest in other foods/drinks, please let > parents know as it may be o.k. > > If he crosses his legs, he probably needs to have a B.M. He'll need > your assistance > > Please see enclosed notes from Quill. Other good references are Dr. > Greenspan; Communication Skill Builders, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 This is very interesting and informative - thanks very much. Have passed it on and I'm sure it will be a great help for them. Julea ) Things are only impossible, until they're not. The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for. Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything. http://www.Emagforall.netfirms.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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