Asperger’sUnderstanding a Misunderstood Disorder

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Asperger's Inside out

By: Ryan and Joyce McGibbon

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Autism Spectrum

Asperger’s syndrome

Autism

A diagram representing the autism spectrumA diagram representing the autism spectrum

High functioning autism

The effects of Asperger’s

Social Skills

For children who have Asperger's, it is hard to make and keep friends. It is also hard to work and play with other people.

Social SkillsSometimes it can be good to stand out from the crowd.

Social SkillsBut sometimes you just want to fit in!

Social Skills

Facial Expressions

Facial Expressions

Facial Expressions

Facial Expressions

Tones of voice

Tones of voice

What does this mean for the classroom teacher?

So, what does this mean for the classroom teacher?

All of these actions are explained by Asperger’s, but a few changes in your behavior can minimize the impact of their behavior on your class

Is the problem just Asperger’s?

Sensory issues

Mood disorders such as phobias, anxiety, and depression

ADHD

Motor issues/difficulties such as Tourette's, tics, and dysgraphia

OCD

Processing issues

Asperger’s frequently goes hand in hand with other disorders

Sensory IssuesBe cognizant of sensory issues – very real issue often not taken seriouslyFluorescent lights – issues range from mildly distracting to making words jiggle on the page. Minimize issue by sitting by window/natural light or provide table lamp (with traditional light bulb)Labels in clothing, seams in socks, etc, can feel like razor bladesSound sensitivity – loud noises can cause physical painHelp overcome by gradually building sound toleranceMay be hypersensitive to smells. Do you wear cologne? Have smelly markers? Bring tuna for lunch?Often difficulty with screening out background noise – difficult to follow conversation in a crowd, follow directions in a classroomAll can lead to sensory overload which can lead to behavior problems

Mood disorders

Take phobias seriously but do not feed into them

Anxiety about everyday situations common and transitioning is often difficult

Unexpected changes can result in difficult behavior, anywhere from being a little irritable to a full blown meltdown

Never forget that this is the result of anxiety and fear of the unknown, not bad behavior

If possible, talk them through the difficult situation. Discuss what is going to happen or what they need to do next, repeat as it happens or as they do it, and praise afterwards for handling a challenging situation

Do not try to reason with them during a meltdown, likely to exacerbate it. Allow them to go to a predetermined safe place/happy place to calm down. Discuss the event after the fact.

Be on the lookout for signs of depression, common due to social isolation especially in middle school

Be aware that fear is the main emotion in those with autism. The fear center of Temple Grandin’s brain is 3x normal size so be understanding of seemingly irrational fears!!!

Children with Asperger’s frequently have mood disorders

Processing Issues

Auditory processing – normal hearing screening normal but missing parts of speech (eg hard consonant sounds, end sounds, etc)

Make speech sound like a bad cell phone connection!

Improve communication if they look at your face as you speak. If cant look at your eyes (common) have them watch your mouth

Children with Asperger’s frequently have processing issues

Processing Issues

Visual processing issues –images may be pixelated, cubist, words may vibrate on the page, etc

Things that may help include no fluorescent lights, colored paper (especially pastels), glasses with colored lenses (experiment with cheap sunglasses), baseball cap to block glare of overhead lights, etc.

Use laptop or tablet not desktop – different type of screen

i-pad for typing – no need to move head and focus between keyboard and screen

If must use regular computer screen , experiment with background color, font color, and brightness to get optimal set up.

So what does all this mean?

Sensory disorders, mood disorders, focusing issues, and processing disorders all have to be overcome in order for learning to take place

So, just how are you supposed to do that?????

How to help AS students succeed

Try to speak slowly so they can keep up with what you are saying

You should explain yourself clearly so they understand exactly what you want them to do. Be very specific

Try to use concrete language as figurative language and sarcasm can be very confusing.

Check in with your AS student as the class begins independent work to clarify that they understand your expectations

1. Clearly explain your expectations

How to help AS students succeed

Break down tasks into manageable steps

Provide written step-by-step directions or graphic organizers

Don’t ask them to listen and take notes, they often struggle do both at the same time

Provide class notes whenever possible.

2. Multitasking is very challenging for AS students

How to help AS students succeed

AS students often feel like outcasts

Assign partners or prearrange a sympathetic student for partner work

AS students don’t respond well to change so while it may seem like they’re being bossy, they’re just trying to avoid unexpected changes

Let them know if other kids are getting frustrated or angry with them as they often miss the social cues that tell them that

3. Problems working with other people in the classroom

How to help AS students succeed

Students with AS are often very distractible, both from external and internal distracters

Have set routines in the classroom, especially for less structured times of day such arrival and dismissal

Be aware of sensory issues and be prepared to make necessary changes to avoid sensory issues causing a distraction

Working in a group can be stressful and distracting. Consider allowing to work alone or assign role of student observer for some projects.

Have a secret signal to use to keep your AS student on task without making it obvious to other students.

4. Distractions

How to help AS students succeed

Students with AS often have difficulty in transferring knowledge to new situations

Specifically teach your AS student that the rules you have applied to help them, apply in other settings too

Share your successful strategies, consistency is key

Be patient! You may find yourself thinking, “I shouldn’t have to teach Johnny this at his age” Keep in mind that with Asperger's students, you do have to teach them basic behavioral rules as they do not pick up on them naturally like other children

5. Beyond your classroom

Routines

Personalized Rule Book

Alex Behavior Rules1. I will be respectful to my teacher

Why: I should always treat others the way I want to be treated myself

Reward: Earn stickers

Consequence: One = Reminder/Warning plus apology

Two = No sticker plus written apology

Three = Call mommy

2. I will use a strategy to cope if I am upset

oWhy: I don’t want to say or do something mean to my friends

Reward: Earn stickers

Consequence: One = Reminder/Warning

Two = No sticker

Three = See Mrs. Furka

3. I will accept responsibility if I do something wrong

Why: I am in control of me, no one else is

Etc ……...

10 stickers = 5 minutes free time 20 stickers = prize box

What Can I Do to Help Myself

Anger ball Listen to Music

Deep breathing Doodles

Count backwards from 20 Imagery

Shapes Beary

NotecardsAnger BallSqueeze your anger ball. If you squeeze your anger into your ball, it can’t come

out of your mouth or fists Trace shapes

Choose a shape from the booklet and trace the shapes with your fingers.

Count Backwards from 20

Start at 20 and count backwards down to 1. If you still feel mad, start at 20 again but this time count backwards by 2’s

Etc …..

How to help AS students succeed

Students with AS are often exhausted by the end of the school day

Allow flexibility with homework assignments.

Be prepared to modify written homework assignments for AS students with motor difficulties

The skills the students master are what is important, the way in which they prove mastery can be flexible.

6. Problems with homework

How to help AS students succeed

Staying focused for long periods can be difficult so be prepared to give ‘brain breaks’

Making a choice can be very stressful so limit the number of options given

Hypersensitivity to sights, sounds, or smells is common so be prepared for extreme or irrational reactions

Don’t lose sight of the fact that this is a disability and while many of the behaviors can be annoying, they are beyond the students control and are not done with malice.

7. Other problems AS students may face

How to help AS students succeed

In addition to being a teacher, you are also a

Social Coach

Behavior Therapist

Mediator

Advocate

Beacon of Hope

You are so much more than a teacher

Famous people suspected to have

Asperger'sJamie Hyneman (Mythbusters)

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder)

Bill Gates

Michael Palin (Monty Python)

Satoshi Tajiri (creator of Pokémon)

Albert Einstein

Isaac Newton

Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

Leonardo da Vinci

Beethoven

Elvis

Shakespeare

And Many More…

Fictional people who show some signs of Asperger

Syndrome

•Michael Scott (played by Steve Carel in The Office)•Temperance “Bones” Brennan (in Bones)•Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons in Big Bang Theory)•Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson) •Basil Fawlty (played by John Cleese in Faulty Towers)

Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome

If you would like to teach children in your class about Asperger’s and how they can help a student with AS to succeed, check out www.myfriendryan.org

There you will find an informative video for kids, and resources for teachers to build a supportive understanding community in their classroom.

Asperger's Inside out