Some
questions I have on Autism that my colleagues may be able to provide help and
support with are as follow: What is one way of having the autistic child
interact with the class as a whole? What are some warning signs to look at in a
classroom if it is not known that a child might have autism? What are ways of
helping parents cope with news that their child has autism?
The resources
and information that I’m seeking are parents that have an autistic child. They’re
personal stories are a key way of understanding as a teacher what parents see
helps their child in different situations. Mainly parents are the ones that
know their child the best and getting information from them helps in connecting
with an autistic child and any other kind of child as well. Another resource
that I’m seeking is websites that have thorough details from actual experts on
Autism. I have found many websites that just give brief or vague information
and this can be stressing at times.
Resources
that I have found helpful have been the Autism NOW Center they aim at helping
parents and other individuals that interact with autism and other disabilities.
The Autism NOW Center
provides high quality resources and information to individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families,
caregivers, and professional in the field. Focus areas include: Early
detection, Early intervention, and Early education; Transition from high school
into early adulthood; Community based employment; Advocacy for families and
self-advocates and so many other areas that they are able to help in. Another
resource I found was the Autism Resource Center in RUSH University Medical
Center in Chicago. They provide assistance with services that help improve
development of children with autism and related disorders. These are just two
of the many resources I have found to be helpful and insightful.
Hello Teresa
ReplyDeleteWhat are the signs of autism according to autistic disorder is usually define before age 3yrs(Imapirment of social interaction, communication, restricted repetitive and sterotypic patterns of behavior, intetest,and activities according to William L. Heward) Exceptional Children
How autistic children could be involve with other children the autistic child could be involve in all the areas but unable to perform at the intellectural disability like the other children, it is rare of their performance unless their disability is mild. I had a child who had autism and she adapted to the areas and children but when we changed our schedule she would get very upset. We then had to calm her down.
Ways that parents could help their autistic child. Parents are given workshops on how they could help their child. One to one specialist, La Rabida Hospital Located Lake Shore Drive and Children's Memorial Hospital Now located in the Center of Downtown Chicago
Good Luck Teresa
Hello Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThe Autism Speaks web site is a good source of information. They provide statistics and also have some really cool teacher kits to look into. The site also offers some parent comments and discussion boards. It has a tab to talk parents through the first days after a diagnosis that I think is a great idea as well.
As far as having the child interact with the class as a whole that would depend on the child. It is hard to say because every child is so different. I think it is nice to have a peer help the child join in. Many children want to participate but have no idea how to jump in. If you have one child, and most classrooms do, who is a good helper and your child with autism seems to get along with her use her as a peer mentor. Having one child to help can ease the transition or the scariness of joining big groups. Another bit of advice would be to not push it in the beginning. Let the child show you how comfortable they are in joining whole class activities. If they are not able to try and work them in slowly. If circle time is too much have them sit on a chair a few feet back. Slowly move the chair in to the group as their comfort increases. Or, if the child enjoys one part of circle time have them join that part and then be permitted to fade back. It all depends on the child and what they are comfortable with.
Hello Teresa,
ReplyDeleteit is not easy for parents to deal with news about their child diagnose with the Spectrum Disorder. therefore is important that parents received as much information as possible. The more the parents know about the Autism Spectrum Disorder they will better about their child's future. there are 25 blogs about Autism were parents can join and learn from other parents. there is also Facebook and Tweeter pages. if parents do not have access to the internet. they can go to the Resource Center for Children with Disabilities, these center provide workshops and support groups to help families trough the acceptance process.
Autism is a hard topic because no two children are alike with this disorder. We have had children that had autism but the parents refused to accept until years later. This is such a disadvantage for the child. They need help quickly not years later. Workshops provide parents with help and give them extra support they need.
ReplyDeleteTeresa,
ReplyDeleteAs this course comes to a close and our course work ends I want to thank you for the support you have given me the last two quarters. I also chose to research autism and my advocacy plan focused on autism. I eagerly read your discussion posts and your blogs to check in and see of i was on the right course. It gave me confidence to know that someone else had chosen this topic that is so close to my heart. I appreciate the comments and feedback you have given me throughout the last two quarters. I also wish you luck in your career! I know I am feeling pretty confident in my abilities after finishing this and am proud to say I have finished what I once thought was an impossible task. Thank you again and good luck!