Sometimes
starting out the journey is the hardest part
of the entire voyage. This is true for many
parents who are just finding out that their
child has Asperger Syndrome. It's also true
for teachers who realize that the strategies
that they used with neurotypical students
just aren't cutting it with their students
on the spectrum.
Starting
Points: The Basics of Understanding and Supporting
Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome
by Jill Hudson and Brenda Smith Myles fills
this void. After identifying the 10 most common
areas of difficulty for children with Asperger
Syndrome, the authors present practical strategies
and interventions for addressing each at home,
at school and in the community.
Ten
common challenges highlighted in the book:
| Seeing
the Big Picture |
Self-Regulation |
| Structure
and Predictability |
Unwritten
Rules |
| Special
or Unique Interests |
Organization |
| Daily
Living Skills |
School
Subjects |
| Understanding
the Thoughts and Feelings of Others |
Getting
Along with Others: Social Interactions |
The
authors identify the areas and then vividly
suggest practical strategies and interventions
proven to help parents and families promote
social, emotional, and educational development
for individuals on the spectrum.
One of the most common areas
that children with Asperger Syndrome have
difficulty with is deciphering the "unwritten
rules" of social situations. This includes
being unaware of the subtle customs within
a given environment, failing to realize that
choices are available if not specifically
stated, and appearing oblivious to everyday
routines and occurrences. Below are two strategies
from the "Unwritten Rules" section
of Starting
Points.
|
"One-a-Day"
Method
|
|
Build into the daily schedule a time
to discuss one hidden curriculum item
from a source such as The
Hidden Curriculum Calendar.
The item may be presented at home during
breakfast or the morning routine or
at school written on the white board
to be shared with the class or presented
after lunch
|
| Hidden
Curriculum Journal |
|
Have
students keep a log entitled "One
Interesting Fact and Social Skill I
Learned Today." Encourage students
to share their information. Interview
same-age students and ask them what
it takes to be successful with peers
and adults. Provide this knowledge to
students with AS
|
Research shows that individuals
with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum
disorders thrive on routine and predictability.
The more the same supports and interventions
are used consistently at home and school,
the more the child will develop socially,
emotionally, and educationally.
Despite many common characteristics,
no two individuals with Asperger Syndrome
have the same needs, nor are their individual
needs the same day in and day out, or even
at various times during the same day. As a
result, the authors stress the importance
of carefully identifying the individual child's
needs and adjust strategies and supports accordingly.
Starting Points fulfills the promise
of its title, it is a sound foundational starting
point for parents and educators seeking information
and guidance to address the needs of child
and youth with Asperger Syndrome.
These AAPC books address some of the issues
discussed in Starting Points …
How do you know where to start?
Search
