STUDENTS WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME PARTICIPATING IN GROUP

WORK

Rich Exchanges

21st July

Olivia Sismey and Stephanie Brewster

NUMBERS OF STUDENTS WITH AS IN HE

2003

-200

4

2004

-200

5

2005

-200

6

2006

-200

7

2007

-200

8

2008

-200

9

2009

-201

0

2010

-201

1

2011

-201

2

2012

-201

3

2013

-201

40

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

% OF STUDENTS WITH AS/ASD IN EACH FACULTY IN UNI OF WOLVERHAMPTON

science/en-gineering

education/health

social science

arts 0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME CAN RESULT IN…

Difficulties in Social communication and interaction Restricted behaviour and interests Sensory sensitivities Planning/prioritisingOften co-occurs with mental health conditions e.g. anxiety

BENEFITS OF GROUP WORK

Can be used for both teaching/learning and assessment

Responds to diverse learning preferences Development of subject knowledge Employability Transferrable skills Encourages autonomy and commitment

Can be problematic for any student, but presents particular challenges for those with AS

CHALLENGES FOR STUDENTS WITH AS

Admission into university – use of interviews and group work

Confidence; physical presence in groups, busy places, with strangers

Communication – knowing what is appropriate: may speak too much or not at all, or appear disengaged from the rest of the group

Speaking when around strong personalities Group work within lectures without prior warning.

CHALLENGES FOR STUDENTS WITH AS

The need for organisation, structure and time management: other students may not follow along with it

Stress from new situations especially if others in group don’t know they have AS

Lecturer’s “implied expectations” – the hidden curriculum.

Not fully understanding the task

STRENGTHS OF STUDENTS WITH AS

Using written media/electronic communication Attention to detail (e.g. Harvard referencing!) Following structure, meeting grading criteria Looking at things from a different angle Highly gifted in some specific areas May be good at organising other students Deep study and in-depth knowledge – especially if

it is a subject of interest Honesty - often bad at lying (can be a challenge

too) Tendency to be logical so task may get done more

efficiently Tendency for perfectionism (can also be a

challenge)

BENEFITS OF GROUP WORK FOR STUDENTS WITH AS

Gives students with AS the same opportunities to participate in and benefit from learning through groups: Subject knowledge, transferable skills etc.

Helps build peer relationships Expansion of ideas (some students with AS

have a very narrow focus) Development of flexibility Allows other students to have greater

awareness of differences

STRATEGIES TO TRY

Allow time for development of skills Consider preferences for blended learning,

classroom layout/size, choice of group members (personalities; familiarity) and group size.

Get to know the student’s strengths and difficulties. Don’t presume...

Provide independent study options Give clear instructions on task. Brain in hand – app to help with situations - new Sensory room – calm down if stressed

BRAIN IN HAND APP

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Centre for Accessible Resources (2015) Working with student who may have

Autism or Asperger’s [online].[Accessed 15 June]. Available at: <http://www.lanecc.edu/disability/working-students-who-may-have-autism-or-aspergers>.

Disability Resource centre (2012) Asperger's Syndrome in the Classroom [online].[Accessed 15 June]. Available at: <http://students.ok.ubc.ca/drc/__shared/assets/Asperger_s_Syndrome_In_the_Classroom 31642.pdf>.

Hughes, M., Milne, V., McCall, A, and Pepper, S. (2010) Supporting Students with Asperger’s Syndrome. HEA and UK Physical Sciences Centre https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/supporting_students_aspergers_syndrome_rpg.pdf

Madriaga, M and Goodley, D (2010) Moving beyond the minimum: socially just pedagogies and Asperger’s syndrome in UK higher education. International Journal of Inclusive Education Vol. 14, No. 2, p115–131

National Autistic Society http://www.autism.org.uk/Working-with/Education/Education-professionals-in-FE-and-HE/College-and-university-supporting-students-with-Asperger-syndrome.aspx

A Quick Guide for Supporting Students with Asperger’s Syndrome: Lecturers / Personal Tutors http://find.jorum.ac.uk/resources/6844

Smith, C, P. (2007) Support Services for Students with Asperger's Syndrome in Higher Education. College Student Journal, 41(3), pp.515-531