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Transitioning back to school, after a vacation, is especially difficult for the autistic child. Here are some tips to make life easier: Start informing the child a couple weeks ahead of time, using a social story. Obtaining a picture of the school, teacher and classroom setting and making a story about school may help reduce anxiety. If possible, try to arrange a couple times where you can tour the school before it gets busy.
Start a month ahead with the scheduled bedtime and wakeup routine. Keep the schedule of events exacting--Up, eat, dress, brush teeth, hair, outdoor dress etc. See how much they can do without a prompt but it is best to have a pictured schedule hung on the fridge or bathroom mirror.
Keep in mind what will help the child through his day. Start with transportation. What will help if they need to take a bus. You might have to incorporate social stories regarding the bus ahead of time. Getting on the bus can be frustrating, especially when the driver is trying to keep a schedule. Plan what your child needs for lunch and snacks. Do they need a special diet? Many kids on the spectrum will eat the same thing every day, like a chocolate milk or the pizza. They are not too keen on trying the school lunch menu. If you do pack a lunch, watch how you pack it. Make sure nothing leaks or gets mixed up. What works to help your child calm himself and focus on learning.? Think about lighting, seating, fidgets, to help concentrational difficulties (try to avoid candy, although many kids seek the oral sensory to help concentration). There are many school environmental aspects that create sensory issues for your ASD child. They don't like the sound of the carpet, the feel of the carpet, the lighting, the noise. There are many considerations in your preparation for your child's learning environment. Step back and observe what works at home by trying new ideas and then incorporating them into the school setting.
http://www.autismtoday.com/nlautism.html
The article:
Moving up a grade can be a daunting experience to someone with autism!
Vacation has been great! The weather has been beautiful. The kids have had fun. There have been no school meetings and no homework struggles. Now it's time to prepare for the new school year and you are overwhelmed with your task list. There is stationery to purchase, pencils to sharpen, new school bags to buy and you need to rearrange your entire schedule.
People with autism are feeling overwhelmed too. We know how much you have on your plate so we've prepared some time saving strategies for you to help your child transition to the next grade.
Step 1
Find out the name of your child's new teacher. Speak to your child about the new teacher often. If you can meet the teacher before school begins, that's great. If that's not possible, request a phone call from the teacher before the school year begins. If she is unavailable, see if you can get a photo that you can show to your child. If that's out the question, try and get information such as her hair and eye color. The more information your child has about his new teacher, the easier the transition will be.
Step 2
Write a social story. Here are a few suggestions to add to your story:
Vacation is so much fun. I really enjoy going to ____________
School begins on __________
I am going to ____________ grade.
My teacher knows all about me and can't wait to meet me. Her name is _____________
I might know some friends in my class but I will also make new friends.
I can't wait for ___________ (library, gym, reading... whatever your child enjoys)
It's good to go to school because I get to learn and play with my friends.
Step 3
Pair school with something good. Think of little things he likes. Let your child know that on the first day back at school he will get a ________ (example: action figure, book or something he likes).
The first day that homework begins, he will get a __________
Create a calendar or mark these days on your existing calendar and remind your child about these exciting rewards.
Step 4
Let your child know that his thoughts are perfectly normal. It's completely OK to feel excited/concerned/fearful or whatever it is that your child is feeling. If your child is unable to express emotions, simply tell him that whatever he thinks and feels is perfect, that you love him and will always be there to help.
A very helpful article
Parents Should Do Their Homework To Aid Autistic Child's Education
Main
Category: Autism NewsArticle Date: 13 Mar 2007 - 0:00 PDT
|A Purdue University professor says the challenges of educating a child diagnosed with various autism disorders are best met by parents with knowledge and a guiding set of principles.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimating that as many as 1 in 150 children may be affected by an autism spectrum disorder, more parents than ever are facing concerns and questions as they send their children into the school systems.
Oliver Wendt, an assistant professor of educational studies and speech, language and hearing sciences, researches developmental disabilities including such disorders, which often are characterized by social and cognitive impairments as well as severe communication difficulties.
"It's important for parents, educators and clinicians to keep an overview of how different intervention and treatment programs are affecting the child," he said. "There is no tried and true method. Education and therapy needs to be tailored to fit each individual child."
Wendt, who is currently researching communication strategies for those autistic children who have no functional speech or language, offers these tips for parents trying to ensure their children receive strong educational and therapeutic support:
-- Work with your school system to ensure that your child is being taught several forms of communication. Since nearly half of all children with autism may never develop functional speech or language, it is important to give them outlets for expression. Even children who have some speech may find it difficult to interact using language at all times. Options include gestures and sign language, teaching the child to select graphic symbols or line drawings appropriate to his or her needs or feelings, and electronic speech-generating devices.
"Tantrums and inappropriate behaviors at home and school, such as biting or hitting, are very often a result of when a child with autism is frustrated with communication," Wendt said. "If no one understands what you want, you are going to get angry."
-- Communicate your child's personality with educators and clinicians as often as possible. Parents know a child's likes, dislikes and breaking points better than anyone. Tipping professionals off to a child's joys and quirks can help them plan a tailored program.
-- Remember that you have the final say in how your child is served. If, after an appropriate amount of time, you feel that a particular approach is not working or that your child is not progressing quickly enough, ask for a change. "A good educator and clinician will always be willing to try different avenues," Wendt said.
-- Don't fall for hype. Use recommendations from professional organizations, autism centers and support groups and scientifically valid resources to ensure that your child's education is being carried out with proven practices.
"Because autism spectrum disorders are still such an enigma, there are a lot of unsupported quick-fix approaches out there," Wendt said. "Go with treatments that are empirically supported and well-researched."
-- Use tact when communicating your concerns with professionals. Even if you disagree with their methods, most teachers and clinicians want the same thing you do - the best possible education and treatment for your child.
"We're making a strong effort to educate future teachers and clinicians about the most up-to-date and proven methods for treating children with autism spectrum disorders," Wendt said. "Sometimes, teachers who have been in education for a while rely on school policy or gut feelings to formulate their approaches. If you want to try something else, show them the research and acknowledge that you are both working toward a common goal."
http://www.purdue.edu
Homework Time Stress Busters
First, think about your child's sensory needs:
- Is the lighting too bright?
- Are there noise distractions or will music help?
- Does my child need deep pressure input, such as a weighted blanket?
- Think of the five senses
- Consider a physical activity before settling down
Start the homework at the same time every school day. The earlier the child gets started, the better.
Have the work area organized and free from distractions. The supplies should be color coded in a set place. The
kitchen table or a desk might not be comfortable work areas for a ASD child. They might do better sitting on a soft
cushion or bean bag with a lap desk. Have an exact order, always using picture cues and a visual timer to show the expected
work time. It may be 15 minutes to start. A sensory break, like a snack, can be a good reward.
Set a time that you think is reasonable. What the school expects may not be appropriate. Consider asking for
a shortened work load written in on the child's IEP plan, especially if the assignment keeps repeating the same concept
over and over. Be aware of problems such as weak hand muscles. The child might need adaptations such as a
parent's help with the writing or being able to key the work. Finally, the goal is to keep promoting more and more
independence in getting the tasks done.
Links to articles on sensory integration
Sensory products for sensory processing differences
Relaxation for children books and also calming
Learn about sensory diets and how OTs work with children
Occupational Therapists showing techniques
Tips for writing Social Stories:
Learning how to write a social story
Ready To Use Social Stories Here