Autism Quick Cooking for a Five Star Educator. What to Expect During this Presentation? Introduction to the SKACD # 613 Autism team What autism is.

AutismAutism

Quick Cooking for aFive Star Educator

What to Expect During this Presentation?What to Expect During this Presentation?

Introduction to the SKACD # 613 Autism team

What autism is and what it looks like Causes and interventions for autism Specifics on what teachers can do in their

classrooms Referrals and resources Less than one hour!

SKACD #613 Autism TeamSKACD #613 Autism Team

Katherine Siler- School Psychologist Chateece Rickard- InterRelated Teacher Linda Snow- Early Childhood Spec. Ed. Mary Chappell- School Psychologist Juli Doan- InterRelated Teacher Amy Harvey- Occupational Therapist Lori Chambers- Speech Pathologist

Educators Choose to be Chefs or Cooks!

Educators Choose to be Chefs or Cooks!

Myth or Fact?Myth or Fact?

Children with autism must be taught to make eye contact in order to learn.

Children with autism prefer to be left alone and are not usually interested in friendships.

Parenting styles can lead to autism.

Children with autism do not learn from others in their environment.

Autism is such a complex and severe disorder that little can be done to help children with autism and their families.

Myth or Fact Myth or Fact

Children with autism must be taught to make eye contact in order to learn.

Children with autism prefer to be left alone and are not usually interested in friendships.

Parenting styles can lead to autism.

Children with autism do not learn from others in their environment.

Autism is such a complex and severe disorder that little can be done to help children with autism and their families.

NO! Children with autism do not have to be looking at you to learn.

NO! Children do want friendships! They do not have the social skills to develop and maintain healthy relationships.

NO! Autism is a neurological disorder. It has nothing to do with parenting styles.

NO! They do learn from others in their environment, they just respond differently.

NO! Intervention and support do make a difference!

What is Autism?What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears by 3 years of age. The symptoms of autism involve three major areas of development and impact a child’s abilities to:

Take part in social interaction Communicate with others in age appropriate

ways Participate in activities and behaviors typical of

the child’s age and stage of development

StatisticStatistic

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every 166 people are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Autism Spectrum DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorders

Autism

Asperger’s

PDD-NOS

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Rett’s Disorder

5 Pervasive Developmental Disorders:

Characteristics in AutismCharacteristics in Autism

Challenges with Social Interactions Nonverbal language Pretend play Poor eye gaze Controlling emotions and anxiety

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Communication Challenges Delayed in expressive and receptive

language Literal understanding of speech Echolalia

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Behavior Differences Intense or restricted interests Unusual repetitive behavior Difficulty with transitions Possible aggressive disruptive behaviors Refusal to participate in some activities,

particularly fine motor activities Sensory driven behaviors

ContinuumContinuum

Appears withdrawn Passive Active but Odd

Impairments in Socialization

Difficulty making friends

Non-verbal Gestures / motoric Verbal

Impairments in Communication

Uneven expressive / receptive language

Stereotypical Behaviors

Simple Complex

Restrictive, repetitive nature

ContinuumContinuum

Severe Mental Retardation Gifted

Cognitive Skills

Measured Intelligence

Hyposensitive Hypersensitive

Sensory

Varies in intensity and manifestation over time

Motor Skills

Awkward / Uncoordinated Agile / Coordinated

How to be a 5 ChefHow to be a 5 Chef

Remember---Remember---

Visual Is A StrengthVisual Is A Strength

Adaptations:

Visual cues for rules

Visual Schedules

Visual Boundaries

More Visual AdaptationsMore Visual Adaptations

Give examples of finished product

Color Coding

Remove extra materials

Start / finish baskets or folders

Teach left to right and top to bottom progression

Social StoriesSocial Stories

Each story is designed to teach children how to manage their own behavior during a specific social situation.

Social stories are helpful because they are presented visually.

SensorySensory

Sensory adaptations help students organize their brains to focus Sitting on alternative surfaces Fidget items Auditory Movement outside of class Oral

Crisis - What Do We Do?Crisis - What Do We Do?

Strategies for CrisisStrategies for Crisis

Back off – this is NOT a teaching moment Don’t take it personally Sometimes Ignore (Choose your battles) Use visual cues Talk low, talk slow Stay cool Get the student moving Watch your own body language Try to keep your sense of humor and STAY

SAFE

Gourmet Teacher TipsGourmet Teacher Tips

Preparing your classroom

Rubrics for behavior

Assistive Technology Team

I Have Concerns! What Do I Do?I Have Concerns! What Do I Do?

For Initial Referral:

Follow your building’s procedure for general ed. intervention

For Previously identified Special Ed. students:

Contact student’s special ed. teacher

CaseManager from SKACDAutism Team will be

assigned to support staff

School Psych. Referral

Ten Things Every child with autism wishes you knew!Ten Things Every child with autism wishes you knew!

I am a child with autism. I am not “autistic.”My sensory perceptions are disordered.Please remember to distinguish between won’t (I choose not to) and can’t (I’m not able to).

I am a concrete thinker.Be patient with my limited vocabulary.Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented.

Focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can’t do.

Help me with social interactions.Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns.When I feel included, everyone in the classroom can learn and grow.

Are You a Chef or a Cook?Are You a Chef or a Cook?