Focusing on Strengths

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Focusing on Strengths
2nd Annual Transition Conference Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina November 21, 2008
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Eric is ARTISTIC.. .. he also
has autism.
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Meet Eric
Eric is 20 years old.
Eric is a senior at Abbeville High School.
Eric likes cats and video games.
Eric enjoys art and collecting things.
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Eric lives at home with his mother, his two
brothers and his grandmother.
Eric was diagnosed with Autism when he was in
elementary school.
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Even though persons with autism may experience
difficulty with social skills, communication,
attention deficits, sensory impairments, and
cognition, about 10 have remarkable spatial
skills such as special talents in music and/or
art. Some have extraordinary mathematical
abilities.
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Many adults with autism can be reliable and
conscientious workers. Focus
On Characteristics of Abilities Using
(their) Strengths Skills
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• Begin hands-on pre-employment experiences in the
  middle school setting. Our teachers begin using
  craft activities and hobbies as a way to begin
  teaching pre-employment skills.
• Time on task
• Gathering supplies
• Following directions
• Positive work attitude
• Problem-solving skills

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Sometimes you have to think outside the
box. ?? What interests does the student
have?? ?? What talents does the student have??
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Does the student have artistic abilities? Does
the student have musical abilities? Does the
student like to construct things?
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• Find ways to enhance and showcase those
  strengths.
• An Art Show at School
• Sculpture
• Adding Music to Presentations
• Computer Assisted Design

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• Take it to the community.
• Local Festivals
• Local Artist Guild
• Local Museums
• Christmas Fairs
• Craft Hobby Shows

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You Never Know Until You Try. Our first
community venture was the Abbeville Spring
Festival.
We had a FREE booth on the square. Eric sold
some of his artwork. The local newspaper took
his picture and he caught the attention of the
local artist guild and an art council director.

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After the Spring Festival event, the art council
director helped Eric have prints made of some of
his artwork. She also provided advice to Eric
his mom regarding selling prices. Our 2nd
event was Art on the Square. Eric was listed
in the promotional materials.
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Where do we go from here? Continue selling
prints and having more made Have artwork made
into greeting cards Continue to attend
community events
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• Research designing quilt patterns

• Research designing pattern coloring books for
  children

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Questions???
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• Resources
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders
• www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism
• Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org
• Autism Support Network www.autismsupportnetwor
  k.com
• Austism Society of America www.autism-society.
  org
• Autism Research Institute www.autism.com

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Contact Information
Kathy Bernard Abbeville Co. School District 400
Greenville St. Abbeville, SC 29620 Kathy.bernard_at_a
csd.k12.sc.us 864-366-5427 ext. 1063 Laura
New Laura.new_at_acsd.k12.sc.us