Accommodating Autism After School Mary Roth, Lead Ally

1
Accommodating Autism After SchoolMary Roth,
Lead Ally
2
When you hear the word autism
what do you think about? Rain Man? Child in
corner, rocking, banging his head?
3
But do you also think about

• Albert Einstein?
• Mozart?
• Bill Gates?
• Temple Grandin?

4
Dr. Temple Grandin
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
5
What is Autism?

• Characterized by three things
• deficits in communication and social skills, as
  well as unusual behaviors
• Neurological Disorder (not mental)
• Lifelong Disorder (not simply childhood)
• No known cause
• No known cure

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
6
Autism does not discriminate

• Any socio-economic background
• Either gender (but boys are
• diagnosed 41 more than girls)
• Any race / religion
• You can not visually tell if
• someone has autism

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
7

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
8
Autism is a Spectrum Disorder

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
9
Communication

• Delayed response time
• Acting as if they cannot hear
• Echolalia repeating what they hear
• Nonverbal
• Inability to understand idioms or slang
• Receptive or expressive speech issues

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
10
Social Skills

• Little to no eye contact
• Inability to read facial expressions or verbal
  emotions
• Difficulty with social situations
• Poor conversation skills

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
11
Behavior

• Insistence on sameness, difficulty in
  transitioning
• Stimming (spinning, flapping, rocking)
• Other repetitive movements or speech
• Sensory issues
• Perceived aloofness prefers to be alone
• Perseveration on a particular topic (Aspergers)
• Visual learners

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
12
Other Health Issues

• Intellectual impairment (70 of cases)
• Seizures (40 of cases)
• Sleeping issues
• Eating issues
• Ear infections
• Respiratory issues
• Allergies
• Dual diagnosis with a mental health illness

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
13
Challenges for Individuals

• Dont fit in
• People think theyre weird
• No friends
• No romantic relationships
• Difficulty in finding and sustaining employment
• Difficulty with self-help skills
• Daily living tasks do not come naturally

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
14
Challenges for Families

• Parents blame themselves
• Society blames parents
• Grandparents dont understand
• Siblings feel left out, carted around,
  responsible
• Financial burden
• Stress on marriage
• Embarrassed dont want to tell anyone

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
15
Challenges for Public Educators

• Behaviors can be challenging but must be
  addressed
• Learning must take place in the least restrictive
  environment (with support)
• Article 7 Indianas Special Education Law
  provides for an Individual Education Plan for
  every special needs student
• Parents are emotionally invested - success in
  school is extremely important for future success

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
16
Challenges for After School Providers

• Obligation to make reasonable accommodations
• Staffing
• May be no formal support system or training
• (call Autism Society of Indiana!)
• Parent needs and expectations

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
17
Challenges during Emergencies

• People with autism may not self-identify
• First Responders are called in under times of
  additional physical and/or emotional stress
• Sirens, strobe lights, or crowds may trigger a
  negative sensory response
• Rooms may be equipped with extra security and
  window locks
• Restraint must be done extremely carefully in
  case the individual has positional asphyxia

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
18
Interventions and Treatments

• Therapy Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA),
  Occupational, Physical, Speech, Sensory, Hippo
• Psychotherapy
• Social skills classes, Lunch Buddies, eBuddies,
  Social Stories, Video Self-Modeling
• Educational, social, and behavioral
  accommodations
• Biomedical interventions
• Alternative interventions

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
19
Inclusion Process - After School Program

• Parent application
• Observe child if possible
• Consult with classroom teacher if possible
• Obligation to provide reasonable accommodations
• Have supports in place the first day
• Be flexible if necessary

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
20
Application Ideas After School Program

• Assure confidentiality and discretion
• Ask for pertinent information about the students'
  needs. Ask for what accommodations they receive
  in school.
• Remember that the diagnosis is not as important
  as what the parent feels they need
• Ask about special dietary needs
• Educate and train service providers (we can
  help!)

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
21
Social Accommodations

• Explain changes in routine
• Preview transitions
• Support during group activities help the
  student find a buddy or team. Two kids with
  Aspergers Syndrome dont always make a good
  team.
•  Encourage other students to be kind

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
22
Educational Accommodations

• Preferential seating
• Visual learning - show them how to do something,
  don't just tell them
• Small group instruction
• Check for understanding, avoid ending with OK?
• Wait for responses

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
23
Interacting with Someone with Autism

• Plenty of personal space
• Dont insist on eye contact
• Dont try to stop repetitive movements
• Use a flat tone with little emotion
• Ask Yes or No questions
• Use simple phrases, avoid slang or idioms
• Avoid or ending with OK?
• Wait for responses

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
24
Behavioral Accommodations

• Establish a safe place
• Select 3-5 key behaviors to address
• Safe hands and feet
• Listening
• Kind words
• Reward system
• Higher staff ratio or even 11 aide
• Visual supports

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
25
Visual Supports

• Many kids with autism are visual learners!
• Timers
• Picture or Written Schedule
• Written Instructions/Expectations
• Maps or Diagrams
• Visual Cues or Reminders
• Behavior Chart with Stickers
• Social Stories Carol Gray
• Video Self-Modeling Scott Bellini

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
26
Visual Timer Devices

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
27
Behavior Modulation

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
28
The Incredible 5 Point Scale Dunn Curtis

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
29
The Incredible 5 Point Scale

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
30
Customized Visual Supports

• First Then Board
• First Then Next Board
• Visual Schedule
• Countdown Board
• Your turn My turn
• Supports to carry around
• Feedback log
• Social Stories

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
31
How to Get Visual Supports

• Special Education Teacher
• Autism Team Leader for the School District
• Indiana Resource Center for Autism
• [phone]
• Easter Seals Crossroads
• Autism Family Resource Center
• 317-466-1000
• HANDS in Autism Learning Lab
• 317-274-2675

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
32
First Then Board
First snack, Then game First game, Then
home
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
33
First Then Next Board
First snack, Then game, Next home
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
34
Visual Schedule

• Snack
• Games
• Work
• Club
• Home

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
35
Countdown Board
Do 5 math problems, then time for coloring
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
36
Your Turn, My Turn

Games or Conversation
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
37
Supports to carry around
Behavior reminders Emotion cards Rewards I
want
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
38
Feedback Log
Completed by student or helper Self-awareness U
seful communication to home
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
39
Reward Charts
Insert you body text or main points here
Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
40
Social Stories TM

• Customized for the childs needs
• Text and pictures
• True statement
• Try statement
• Why statement

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
41
Social StoryTM Example

• After my school day is over, I go to an after
  school program.
• Its fun! I play games, make friends, and do my
  homework.
• When I play games, its important to take turns
  nicely. Then kids will want to play with me
  again.
• When I talk with adults at after school
  activities, its important to be respectful.
• I need to treat the equipment carefully so its
  always there for the next day.
• My friends at after school program like it when I
  ask how they are doing.
• At the end of the day, I go home with my family.
• I can have fun at home because my homework is
  done!

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
42
Getting Help with Social Stories

• www.thegraycenter.org
• Books by Carol Gray
• Special Education Teacher
• Autism Team Leader for the School District
• Indiana Resource Center for Autism
• [phone]

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
43
Lending Libraries

• Easter Seals Crossroads
• Autism Family Resource Center
• 317-466-1000
• CeDIR Library at IU Bloomington
• [phone]
• Indiana Youth Institute Library
• [phone]

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
44
If All Else Fails

• Try physical exertion carrying or pushing heavy
  objects (recycling bin, stack of books, jug of
  water)
• Extra privileges for cooperation or if a break is
  needed running errands, distributing mail
• Ask the parent!
• Remember to maintain privacy

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
45
Autism Society of Indiana

• Support all people affected by Autism in Indiana
• Conferences, Workshops, Trainings
• Support Groups in several cities throughout
  Indiana
• Indiana Allies
• Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals
  with ASDs
• Insurance
• Family and Professional Partnerships
• Community Resources
• Screening
• Access to Services
• Transition
• Indiana Partners in Justice

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
46
Ongoing Activities

• Annual Autism Expo (Carmel and Evansville)
• March 24 at The Fountains in Carmel
• April 21 at The Centre in Evansville
• Autism Awareness Month (April) activities
• Autism Resource Network of Indiana (ARNI)
  www.arnionline.org
• Facilitate the IIACC Interagency Coordinating
  Council
• Attend Autism Commission meetings

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
47
What can YOU do?

• Understand
• Care
• Ask if you can help
• Support autism-related organizations
• Talk about it help reduce the stigma
• Encourage
• Hire

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org
48
Autism Society of Indiana
13295 Illinois Street, Suite 213 Carmel, IN
46032 [phone] www.inautism.org www.ARNIonli
ne.org