Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum DisorderA resource for educators

The more information my teachers have, the more ideas they have to help me learn.

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Introduction

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This presentation is to give teachers an introduction to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how it might affect a student in a classroom

It describes the core characteristics of ASD and supports the booklet: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - A resource for educators

It aims to give a taste of what it might be like to stand in the shoes of a student with ASD and gives some guidance and strategies to incorporate goals for students with ASD within The New Zealand Curriculum  

Prevalence and cause

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The wider spectrum of ASD is thought to affect about 1% of the population or more than 40,000 New Zealanders

The cause(s) of ASD are not known, but genetic factors are considered important

While there is no cure, a great deal is known about how to minimise the impact of the condition and many people with ASD make good progress

What is ASD?

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of conditions where a person has a noticeable delay or difficulty in three important areas of development:

communication

social interaction

thinking (sometimes referred to as imagination)

In addition, many students with ASD under- or over-react to

sensory information

About ASD

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ASD (autism spectrum disorder) includes autism and Asperger syndrome, as well as some other disorders with similar features

ASD is a developmental disorder. What you see will vary with age and will vary over time

There is also a group of people who have significant difficulties in one or two of these areas, but who may not meet the criteria for an ASD

What does ASD look like?

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Each student with ASD will be very different because of:

their level of difficulties in each area of development

their family setting and circumstances

their level of intellectual ability

individual factors such as personality, age and gender

Some people with ASD also have other disorders (such as epilepsy)

How do children learn?

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Using visual, verbal and written communication Learning from others by interacting, observing and asking

questions Problem solving and making sense of information using

thought processes Experiencing the world through their senses

Because of their unique characteristics, all children with ASD will have some difficulties with these skills.

How do we teach students with ASD?

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The skills of communication, thinking, and social interaction will need to be taught, supported and structured for the student to access the curriculum

There are clear links between the key competencies of The New Zealand Curriculum and the needs of students with ASD

School offers opportunities to practise these skills within an everyday natural learning environment.

It is common for me and other people with autism to be unable to say the words to describe what is bothering us.

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Communication differences

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Students with ASD: often develop communication or language later than

their peers often have unusual ways of making themselves

understood sometimes use language in an unusual way may have difficulty in understanding others do not always understand gesture, facial expression or

body language.

Communication strategies

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Individual students will need different levels of support. Some strategies teachers can use include: use fewer words slow down the rate of speaking give the student more time to process the information use clear, concise visual information in the form of written

language, pictures, objects and gestures develop a communication system using pictures, signs, words

and symbols for those students who are not able to use verbal language.

Aims for students with ASD to

Communicate….

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Thinking Communication is essential to share and make sense of knowledge and information. Students need access to verbal, visual and written information to access the curriculum.

Relating to others All students need some form of communication to be able to express their needs, thoughts, feelings and intentions.

Understanding language, symbols, and texts

Students need to be able to express themselves and understand others.

Managing self When students are not able to express their needs and concerns, they can become anxious or frustrated and need to use other behaviour to get attention or to get their needs met.

Participating and contributing

Students with ASD often need to be able to follow visual schedules and timetables to help them understand the structure of the day, to participate in classroom routines and prepare for changes.

Social interaction differences

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Students with ASD: may not join in with play or social opportunities will sometimes like to do things on their own may not respond to greetings, smiles or waving frequently do not know how or why to share things of

interest with other people (such as toys or games) often have difficulty with the social rules that guide

conversation and social situations.

Socialisation strategies

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Opportunities for social interaction need to be set up and structured for success.

Using play to teach new skills is often effective and motivating for the student

Strategies include peer education, step-by-step teaching and structured supports (including scripts and visual reminders)

School settings are very busy social places that can be stressful, so social teaching needs to be balanced with opportunities for breaks, and supports to ensure that the student with ASD is not over-loaded or anxious.

Aims for students with ASD to

Socialise…

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Thinking Students need to learn the skills of observing and showing (sharing attention). They also need to be taught concepts about social interaction that typical students understand intuitively.

Relating to others Students need to learn to understand the feelings and motives of others.

Understanding language, symbols, and texts

To have meaningful social interactions with peers and adults, students need to be able to use some form of shared communication.

Managing self Students need to learn about what they like and how they feel, and learn to communicate these to others in an appropriate way. They also need support to identify stressors and learn some strategies to deal with stress.

Participating and contributing

To learn to play and engage with peers, small groups or the rest of the class, students need explicit teaching to understand social situations and support to learn which social interaction skills are useful in which contexts.

Thinking differences

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Students with ASD may: prefer routine and structure, and like to do things in a

particular way or order dislike change or moving from one place or activity to

another find it difficult to organise themselves or their

possessions or to tackle and solve problems develop strong interests in particular subjects have unusual mannerisms (such as flapping) or

movement patterns.

Thinking strategies

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While change and transitions can be difficult, most school days follow a routine and simple strategies (such as a visual timetable) can help.

Support to understand what is going to happen next and to get the correct materials will enable the student to start the activity and access the learning objectives.

Using the student’s interests usually motivates them to stay on task and make good progress.

Once the student has mastered a skill in one setting, they need to practise that skill in a different setting (e.g., home and school).

Teach skills and structures to problem-solve (such as flowcharts, mind-maps, decision trees and other cognitive frameworks).

Aims for students with ASD to

Think…

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Thinking Structures to help students to think and learn include checklists, assessment criteria, using mind-maps, story maps and flowcharts to structure writing and other learning tasks.

Relating to others A range of strategies to help understand the perspective and intentions of others.

Understanding language, symbols, and texts

Use a range of communication forms for learning (visual, verbal and written). Explicit teaching of multiple meanings and literal language is also important.

Managing self Supports may include structures (such as visuals and checklists) to plan for the day, organise equipment, complete tasks and manage time.

Participating and contributing

To apply new knowledge and skills gained in one setting to another setting. Strategies may include providing clear links and cues, and coaching peers to provide support.

Sensory differences

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Students with ASD can sense things differently and may:react to loud noises or particular smellsunder- or over-react to painhave difficulties with their personal spacereact to different textures (shiny, smooth, rough)have unusual motor movements (such as walking on tiptoe)react to visual stimuli (busy environments, bright lights).

Small adjustments to the student’s environment can have a significant impact on their well-being and ability to learn.

When I was little, loud noises were also a problem, often feeling like a dentist’s drill hitting a nerve. They actually caused pain. I was scared to death of balloons popping, because the sound was like an explosion. Minor noises that most people can tune out drive me to distraction.

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Where to start

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The student needs to be comfortable in the classroom. They will find it difficult to engage, respond and learn when they are stressed and anxious.

Making progress will rely on an agreed process for sharing information, supports and strategies between home and school

A profile of the student to introduce them to teachers, relievers and others will ensure that relevant information is shared.

Strategies across the curriculum

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Tasks, timetables, environments and expectations need to be structured and made explicit.

Teaching needs to be clear and systematic – breaking down tasks into small steps that the student can understand.

Communication needs to be simple, clear and – for many students – supported by visual materials. Students need to be given choices and be taught how to communicate their needs and wants in socially acceptable ways.

Behaviour issues are usually directly linked to difficulties with communication, thinking, socialising or sensory issues.

Students with ASD sometimes need strategies, times and places to have a break and calm themselves.

Transition

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People with ASD often rely on routine, so any transition is difficult.

All transitions need to be carefully planned

Transitions occur between activities, places, situations and people as well as between classes and schools

Try and ensure that as much of the structure and systems (i.e. visuals) remain the same

Often additional information, time and support are needed

Quality information about their strengths, interests and effective supports needs to go with them to any new situation

I am proud of who I am and autism is part of who I am. In fact, you can’t separate the autism from what I do, think or am.

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Further information

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New Zealand Guidelines Group www.nzgg.org.nz/asd

ASD in Education website (TKI) www.asdineducation.org.nz

Altogether Autism www.altogetherautism.org.nz

Autism NZ www.autismnz.org.nz

Ministry of Education www.minedu.govt.nz