Learned helplessness/Kids with Autism smarter then we think

Through my years of educating students with Autism, many of them have personal school aides, who help them get to class, take notes and keep track of their assignments.  Sometimes these students can develop learn helplessness or take advantage of their aides.  These students are sometimes more then capable of taking their own notes, but would rather their aide do it for them.  Sometimes the aide has taken the notes for so long that the child just thinks that they cannot take their own notes.

It is important as educators and parents to make sure we are always challenging our students so they do not develop these bad habits and so that they can achieve more then anyone ever thought they could.

Asperger’s and pain, Newtown, CT

I read an article the other day about how the shooter from Newtown has Asperger Syndrome and he could not feel pain.  This could not be further from the truth, students with Asperger’s can feel pain, just like you and I.  I often compare Asperger’s to a very mild case of Autism, were the students are usually very functional able, but sometimes lack discipline in the classroom, but this does not mean they cannot feel pain.  It makes you wonder about the people that are writing these stories and if I had Asperger’s I would be highly insulted by this article.   

http://montville-ct.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/report-newtown-gunman-had-aspergers-syndrome-shot-sle8dc1516b19

Autism is it new?

This is a very interesting topic, I am a fairly young guy and growing up in the 80s you never heard of anyone having Autism.  Now there were not that many opportunities for people with disabilities back then, but how did it get discovered?  Has it always been around?  Will we as a society discover a new disability in the future?  It makes you wonder.

Autism Students Looking for Structure

It has come from my experience that students with Autism love to have structure in their day.  Whether it be having the same breakfast, going to their locker everyday before 3rd period or not.  This structure adds stability to their day and helps make their day go smooth.

I have also seen the opposite effect of a unstructured schedule that severely hurt the student.  If there is a substitute teacher in math class the student will lose focus instantly and I have found that if you avoid that situation entirely, the students day is not as disturbed.

Can Autism be cured?

I do not think this will ever be possible.  Now can the Autism ticks and negative parts of Autism be condensed?  I think so, it is all about having the student that has Autism team, work together.  The team includes the student, parents, teachers and friends, all practicing the same principles to help students overcome what might be holding them back.  So, in a sense they can be cured and I bet you could get it to the point where a stranger will not ever know if a student has Autism.

Ways to deal with Ticks

1. Correct the student as soon as the tick starts.
2. Give the student an alternate activity.
3. Give the student a stress ball.
4. Be patient.
5. Do not go cold turkey.
6. Work slowly in introducing an alternate activity.  

ADD and Autism

I have seen from my experience that these two diagnosis go hand in hand.  So, not only do the students have Autism to deal with, but they must deal with ADD.  This can be a challenge for those that try to educate youth with both of these diagnosis.  A lot of times students will say they are thinking while they are zoning out, but if you prompt them usually they get back to the task at hand.  Now sometimes students will use an avoidance behavior e.g. Licking a desk, getting up and walking around.  It is important to help these students with these avoidance behaviors.

As always ask any questions.