Autism Cymru

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Autism Cymru

• WHEN THE THEORY NEEDS TO BECOME PRACTICE
• Gill Williams
• 7/11/08

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One besotted and frustrated mum V One overworked
teacher with a class of 28
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ASPERGERS SYNDROME
It is my informed opinion that the world would be
such a nicer place to live is everyone had a
degree of Aspergers My greatest sadness is that I
have to teach my son to be less caring and less
loving to cope in this Normal world If only the
world would learn from him instead. I believe he
is much more normal than the very people who
label him as having a disability!
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The Contradictions
Search for info on the Autistic Spectrum By
definition info so wide He ticks some boxes
not others Told he is not aware of other peoples
feelings BUT very sensitive Mums put things right
find the cause and the cure
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MUM
What caused these negative feelings?
Happiest days of your life? I think not !
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As a teacher I know the ever increasing workload
but also that desire to help all pupils I do
want to help
Hopefully together we can compromise and come up
with some practical solutions
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Training on the use of language

• Fortunately being a teacher I could pre-empt some
  of the likely stumbling blocks
• What time do you call this?
• I hope I didnt hear a swear word then?
• CAN ANYONE THINK OF ANY OTHER Teacher speak
  that may cause problems?

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Can you think of 4 things that teachers say quite
regularly that pupils with Aspergers may have a
problem with ?
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Inability to understand implied meaning
Yes you did Miss Sean said St
Good old Sean mutters ST
I hope I didnt hear a rude word then?
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What can we do to avoid confusion ?

• Plan to teach e.g.. Idioms
• How can you make sure that the use of idioms is
  not a problem in your school?
• How would you ensure the ASD pupil understands
  the teacher speak?

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Theory into Practice -
1-1 teaching of child with ASD. They need to be
taught
Essential that all staff are trained. It only
takes one comment for things to spiral out of
control
Posters in every room
Sharing of information with parents
Information in pupil planners
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Politeness - Social implications

• Thank you sir I really enjoyed that lesson
• Youre cool sir it was well good that lesson
• Seen as creep , swat

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Bullying can of course be a problem for all
children

1. At what points in the school day may a child with
   Aspergers be at most risk of being bullied?
2. What strategies can be put in place to try and
   prevent potential issues arising?

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• We can not expect the pupil with ASD to change.
• Situations need to be planned
• How can I manipulate ?
• E.g. Who is on prefect duty with the pupil with
  ASD?

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Frustration not tapping in to strengths
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Now that pupils do not have to sit SATs in Wales
what excuse can we have for not being prepared to
change the set text?
Is it better to allow the child with Aspergers to
do a different task from the rest of the class?
Something learned is better than
nothing learned !
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School systems

• Vote for form captains.
• Prefects etc

Realistically will a socially isolated child get
votes?
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The Disability Equality Duty (DED) placed upon
public bodies new statutory duties to Promote
equality of opportunity between disabled and
other persons Eliminate discrimination that is
unlawful Eliminate harassment of disabled persons
that is related to their disability Promote
positive attitudes towards disabled
persons Encourage participation by disabled
persons in public life even where that involves
treating disabled persons more favourably than
other persons.
What systems do you have in your school that
actively discriminates against a child with
Aspergers ?
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Unofficial days off!
An aversion to change and the subsequent stress
change causes
Will I need my pencil case?
Do I go to form?
Collapsed timetable
Is it non- school uniform?
Where do I go lesson one?
How will I know where Jack and Josh are ?
What if I get lost?
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• INTOLERANCE textiles and other tactile
  experiences.
• Extremely sensitive to certain fabrics
• Dislike of certain clothing
• Can hate getting dirty
• Sensitivity can be so great that there me be
  allergic reactions to certain fabrics

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School Uniform
Visible disability Religion
No concessions made for sensory difficulties
associated with ASD
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Friends birthday parties
At time the craze was for Football parties not
interested and couldnt play!
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Sadness of changing him to conform

• healing hugs

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Will do kind but un-cool things
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Jokes

• Dr , Dr I think I need glasses

You certainly do Sir, this is a fish and chip
shop.
Do you have a joke book in your library?
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The Joys

• Life is easy missed the normal teenage years

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Uncomplicated Life

• What you see .
• No hidden agendas
• Truthful
• Caring
• Loving
• Not afraid to show emotions

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NORMALITY ?
  Does being normal mean you have to say the
opposite of what you mean? When I say yes I
mean yes, when I say no I mean no There is
no hidden agenda   Does being normal mean I have
to use the English language in a strange way? If
I say What time do you call this? I mean what
time do you call this? I dont mean why are you
late? Why dont people just say why are you
late?   Does being normal mean you are not
allowed to tell people you love them? If I say I
love someone I love them. It doesnt mean I want
sex with my Nan or my friend. It means I love
them?      
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You have been asked to contribute to the
Disability Equality Duty (DED) scheme which your
school is legally required to produce.
List five suggestions you would make to plan for
the arrival of a pupil with Aspergers Syndrome