Asperger's, autism and education

Asperger's, autism and education

Every child is different from others. Take time to get to know each child with Aspergers so you understand how they think and work. Do not categorize them with your other children, otherwise educational errors will occur. Minimize changes as much as possible. Allow a transition period before asking a child to do something outside of their normal routine. Always plan for changes as early as possible.

You should plan for frequent breaks. Children with Aspergers may need to take breaks as part of their education. Sometimes they have trouble concentrating on tasks. So take a break when you need it.

Don't expect eye contact. Her lack of eye contact has nothing to do with disrespect, but it has everything to do with her Aspergers. Use probing questions to ensure they understand what is expected of them rather than using eye contact. Always try to keep sensory distractions to a minimum. The ticking of clocks, the tapping of pens, the crumbling of paper, and other things can be a major distraction for children with Aspergers. It's impossible to control all sensory distractions, but when possible, minimize these distractions. Use visual cues whenever possible. Children with Aspergers are typically visual learners and depend on these cues for their education. They have difficulty processing oral language, so handy visual cues are a huge help.

Below are some suggestions to help control children who show anger or meltdowns:

• Use fun energy: running, jumping, spinning, climbing, or other physical activity.

• Have them perform household tasks to provide sensory input to various muscles and joints: vacuuming, moving objects, cleaning windows.

• Provide creative opportunities: painting, drawing, coloring or sculpting clay.

• Use role play to teach them how to respond to things that tend to trigger their anger.

• Make sure to always keep things positive. Children with Aspergers react very quickly to negative thoughts.

• Use a bean bag chair to make them feel hugged. A warm bath or digging in a sandbox will also help calm you down.

• Have your child tell you what triggers these seizures and what they find calms them down.

• Identify warning signs to identify triggers and prevent tantrums before they occur.

• Put together a boredom box that can be filled with things the child enjoys, such as jewelry kits, paints, modeling clay, crossword puzzles, and other art interests. This gives your child a place to go when they need that extra stimulation and you know you have the things they need on hand to avoid a meltdown.

Inspired by Gina Bardol