I have just begun working with a ten year boy diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome through my Resource Room program. I have been reading and reading about this syndrome, but have yet found any successful strategies to assist him with survival in a regular classroom. He becomes easily agitated, shouting and screaming and now is threatening others. When in the RR, he stays calm and completes his work, but he has zero interaction with anyone but myself. He appears to need someone with him to keep him on task and to keep him calm, which is not available in the classroom at this time.
I have read a book by Tony Atwood and realize that these children are all different, but I would like to hear from anyone else who may be dealing with this type of student in a regular classroom.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Last year, I worked with a 10 year old student w/ Aspergers. Luckily, we were able to have a paraprofessional assigned to the general education class to assist him. He was challenging at times but was able to start working with other peers. His Gen Ed teacher was great. One strategy we used with him was called a “social story”. Email me and I will send you some info.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
I work with a 7 year old girl diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and am just learning about it myself. I’ve been a resource specialist for 9 years, but this is my first experience with this. The techniques I use with my other learning disabled students do not work with her. I have gotten a lot of help from our district autism specialist and the occupational therapist she works with. Some techniques include social stories (very important for these kids), lots of visuals like numbering or highlighting work to be done, and for the temper outbursts (or bad days) I ‘ve been told to take her to the playground for upper body exercise. It is supposed to stimulate a part of the brain and help to focus the child. Having a visual schedule helps a lot too! These students are not good with transition and do better when they know ahead of time what is going to happen. Hope some of this helps. Let me know if you find any other good ideas.
Good luck!
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Sheri,
I have been using a visual daily schedule, social story book, and a timer. He works for 30 minutes and free time for 15 minutes if he has finished work in his 30 minutes of work time. So far, this has worked well. He is now in his regular classroom for his Math program for 30 minutes each day, and sometimes continues working after his timer goes off as he enjoys Math. He also took his timer with him to his Gifted & Talented program ( he has a high IQ ) the last two Thursdays. He is in that classroom from 10 am until 3:10pm. He explained his time to the teacher, she agreed, and all went well. He still seems to get agitated, but has not lost his temper yet. He even has kept his voice lower and has spoken to his classmates. I am waiting for another person to help with his transition back into the regular classroom as I cannot leave my other students in the RR all day long. I think if he had someone to help him in the classroom each day, he could learn to handle it fairly well.
I did not know about the upper body exercises, but I do know that my student likes the brushing on his arms and back. He says it is very relaxing and he seems to do better when we do that each morning while he looks over his daily schedule. Being in the fifth grade, he always has a schedule change each day due to PE, Music, etc.
Thank you for your response!
Lynne
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
First of all, let me applaud you for taking the time to post this message. Parents like me are so thankful for teachers like you who want to learn.
I’m a parent of a 10 yr. old with Asperger Syndrome. There are many great websites out there for help in learning about it and understanding it, you will better be able to deal with the issues.
O.A.S.I.S (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) is a great website.
A guide for teachers is at:
www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/teachers_guide.html
Specially designed Instructions for Educators is at:
www.udel/edu/bkirby/asperger/IEP_Modif_Checklist.html
That whole website is beneficial for you if you’re working with a child with Asperger Syndrome.
My son has a para in the classroom. Our district has an “autism” program which allows a special place for the children to go when they need to get out of the “typical” classroom. There are MANY different strategies you can use. How old is the child, feel free to write me and I’d be happy to help.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Thank you for your response. I have read in length information from the OASIS site. I will check the other site you gave me, also. The student I have is 11 years old. He has been at my school since Kindergarten, but only this year has he demonstrated violent behaviors. Presently he appears to be doing well with easing back into his regular classroom. I have been fortunate to have a “Youth Companion” to go with him. This young lady is trained to work with emotionally disturbed youngsters, and is wanting to learn more about my student. He really likes and respects her for some unknown reason and I am not going to question why. He smiles when he sees her, and she is able to calm him immediately with a soft voice and rubbing his back or arm. I am hoping that she can spend more time with him each day to assist him with control in his classroom, work on social stories, and include classmates on how to help him. She is only a temporary person in my building and also is working with another child. Do not believe my district will high a person just for my little guy.
Did I mention he also goes to our Gifted and Talented program for one day each week also? He has taken his timer and done well the last two times he has gone. I am hoping the Youth Companion can accompany him this next time to watch his brilliance!! She will be amazed at what he can do mathematically and the vast knowledge he has on many subjects.
Well, need to go! I will keep on reading.
Thanks Again!
lynne
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
I am an LS teacher and I have worked with several students identified with Aspergers. I suggest that you make an predesignate an area that the student can go to when he is having his problems so that he may calm down. I understand about the learning of the others in the classroom..
Unfortunately social skills are weak with these students and it will take lots of time and patience to help him with that. In my classes, I make sure that when the child knows the answer or can share the expertise, I call on him to answer. I also do the same with the other kids so they learn to respect each other.
One other thing that may have to happen is to talk to the regular education kids about this child ( once you get permission from the parent) Sometimes just understanding is the key to helping both people deal with the issues that are agitating Johnny.
One student has an alphamart and in inclusion science used it one time. Boy did the kids think it was neat and asked lots of questions. He felt proud. The others look at him a little differently now and some have even asked to be his partner.
Good luck. It’s too bad the kids can’t become pen pals. In my small town there are many identified kids and a support group is held every month or two for the parents and the kids themselves. Keep in touch.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Last year, I worked with a 10 year old student w/ Aspergers. Luckily, we were able to have a paraprofessional assigned to the general education class to assist him. He was challenging at times but was able to start working with other peers. His Gen Ed teacher was great. One strategy we used with him was called a “social story”. Email me and I will send you some info.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
I work with a 7 year old girl diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and am just learning about it myself. I’ve been a resource specialist for 9 years, but this is my first experience with this. The techniques I use with my other learning disabled students do not work with her. I have gotten a lot of help from our district autism specialist and the occupational therapist she works with. Some techniques include social stories (very important for these kids), lots of visuals like numbering or highlighting work to be done, and for the temper outbursts (or bad days) I ‘ve been told to take her to the playground for upper body exercise. It is supposed to stimulate a part of the brain and help to focus the child. Having a visual schedule helps a lot too! These students are not good with transition and do better when they know ahead of time what is going to happen. Hope some of this helps. Let me know if you find any other good ideas.
Good luck!
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Sheri,
I have been using a visual daily schedule, social story book, and a timer. He works for 30 minutes and free time for 15 minutes if he has finished work in his 30 minutes of work time. So far, this has worked well. He is now in his regular classroom for his Math program for 30 minutes each day, and sometimes continues working after his timer goes off as he enjoys Math. He also took his timer with him to his Gifted & Talented program ( he has a high IQ ) the last two Thursdays. He is in that classroom from 10 am until 3:10pm. He explained his time to the teacher, she agreed, and all went well. He still seems to get agitated, but has not lost his temper yet. He even has kept his voice lower and has spoken to his classmates. I am waiting for another person to help with his transition back into the regular classroom as I cannot leave my other students in the RR all day long. I think if he had someone to help him in the classroom each day, he could learn to handle it fairly well.
I did not know about the upper body exercises, but I do know that my student likes the brushing on his arms and back. He says it is very relaxing and he seems to do better when we do that each morning while he looks over his daily schedule. Being in the fifth grade, he always has a schedule change each day due to PE, Music, etc.
Thank you for your response!
Lynne
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
First of all, let me applaud you for taking the time to post this message. Parents like me are so thankful for teachers like you who want to learn.
I’m a parent of a 10 yr. old with Asperger Syndrome. There are many great websites out there for help in learning about it and understanding it, you will better be able to deal with the issues.
O.A.S.I.S (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) is a great website.
A guide for teachers is at:
www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/teachers_guide.html
Specially designed Instructions for Educators is at:
www.udel/edu/bkirby/asperger/IEP_Modif_Checklist.html
That whole website is beneficial for you if you’re working with a child with Asperger Syndrome.
My son has a para in the classroom. Our district has an “autism” program which allows a special place for the children to go when they need to get out of the “typical” classroom. There are MANY different strategies you can use. How old is the child, feel free to write me and I’d be happy to help.
Re: Asperger's Syndrome
Thank you for your response. I have read in length information from the OASIS site. I will check the other site you gave me, also. The student I have is 11 years old. He has been at my school since Kindergarten, but only this year has he demonstrated violent behaviors. Presently he appears to be doing well with easing back into his regular classroom. I have been fortunate to have a “Youth Companion” to go with him. This young lady is trained to work with emotionally disturbed youngsters, and is wanting to learn more about my student. He really likes and respects her for some unknown reason and I am not going to question why. He smiles when he sees her, and she is able to calm him immediately with a soft voice and rubbing his back or arm. I am hoping that she can spend more time with him each day to assist him with control in his classroom, work on social stories, and include classmates on how to help him. She is only a temporary person in my building and also is working with another child. Do not believe my district will high a person just for my little guy.
Did I mention he also goes to our Gifted and Talented program for one day each week also? He has taken his timer and done well the last two times he has gone. I am hoping the Youth Companion can accompany him this next time to watch his brilliance!! She will be amazed at what he can do mathematically and the vast knowledge he has on many subjects.
Well, need to go! I will keep on reading.
Thanks Again!
lynne
I am an LS teacher and I have worked with several students identified with Aspergers. I suggest that you make an predesignate an area that the student can go to when he is having his problems so that he may calm down. I understand about the learning of the others in the classroom..
Unfortunately social skills are weak with these students and it will take lots of time and patience to help him with that. In my classes, I make sure that when the child knows the answer or can share the expertise, I call on him to answer. I also do the same with the other kids so they learn to respect each other.
One other thing that may have to happen is to talk to the regular education kids about this child ( once you get permission from the parent) Sometimes just understanding is the key to helping both people deal with the issues that are agitating Johnny.
One student has an alphamart and in inclusion science used it one time. Boy did the kids think it was neat and asked lots of questions. He felt proud. The others look at him a little differently now and some have even asked to be his partner.
Good luck. It’s too bad the kids can’t become pen pals. In my small town there are many identified kids and a support group is held every month or two for the parents and the kids themselves. Keep in touch.