educating peers about autism

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Registered: 10-13-2004
educating peers about autism
3
Tue, 10-11-2005 - 11:49pm

Hi all

my DS is 8yo in a mainstream public school. DS's aide and I get asked questions from peers and parents about autism. Particularly stemming from his peers wanting to understand what it's all about and why he is like he is.

At present, I've got a few children's books and lend them to parents via which ever teacher requests it.....but there has to be a better way.

What do you and your school do about educating peers? Can anyone advise any great strategies or pitfalls to avoid? I'm thinking of initiating an "inclusion collection" in our school library....but I'm open to other ideas.

thanks, Aisha

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Avatar for betz67
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 12:49pm

We're in the midst of this right now. At our IEP meeting the teachers were asking the autism specialist and myself how they could talk about it to help the class understand. She's going to come up w/ something. I'll let you know what it is.

Our big question was when they actually do the presentation in class should Weston be in the class or should he not be there. Finally they decided to do it when Weston goes to his gifted math class. The rest of the class is still in the room and Weston always goes out, so it won't seem like he's being sent out. The teachers felt that having Weston not in the room would allow the other kids to freely ask questions and for Weston not to feel embarassed.

Betsy

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 1:16pm

At our school they use the "Understanding Friends" program from the folks at TEACCH. It isn't autism specific and is great. Cait always stayed. They put on weird glasses to see what it is like to be blind. All kinds of things to make them feel what it is like to be different. Autism is a part of it and they explain but it isn't the whole thing.

Up until last year Cait had no clue it was about her or for her, lol. ANd actually it helped with all differences and the teacher was able to use it as a learning tool for CAit (and mike when he had it. They even do it in his SDC class because he is the only ASD kid). Last year the autism specialist asked Cait if she wanted the other kids to know about her Asperger's. Cait didn't say much at the time but when they did the lesson she shared it with the class. She is open about it though. Mike isn't as much.

There is another program I have heard that is good as well called "The 6th Sense" and I think Carol Grey's folks put that one out. My DH uses that one in his district.

HTH

Renee

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Registered: 10-13-2004
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 3:50am

Thanks Besty and Renee

We do DS's class each year - it's the kids in other classes that aren't so easy to reach.

When I speak to the class, I present a thing not unlike what Renee described showing what it's like to be blind. I let the kids stuff their mouths with marshmallows and let them talk with their mouths full in order to let them understand what a speech impediment is like. Likewise, a sock over one's hand can simulate fine motor difficulties. I also have an interactive discussion on the various meanings of different and same.

Our son does stay in the class (he'd be devestated to miss out on the marshmallows!) because I was taught that if what I say makes him uncomfortable, then I shouldn't be saying it ;-)

Further to posting this question, I asked my son's aide about the issue. She thinks that if we educate each class, then the information will gradually fan out into the school community. Given that we have only 300 students from kindy to grade 6, this is quite likely.

thanks again.

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