English Department Adjunct Rochelle Sayler attend a conference on Autism with Julia Hanawalt of The Center for Student Success. Below is Rochelle's reflection on the conference.
By Rochelle Sayler.
What is Autism? How does it impact my teaching? These questions and many more were answered during the “Inclusion and Social Skills for Autism Spectrum Disorders” conference I recently attended. This conference was sponsored by Spectrum Training Systems, an organization dedicated to inform educators and the public about Autism. Special speakers at the conference were Dr. Paula Kluth a special educator, author and educational policy specialist, and Dr. Jed Baker a clinical psychologist, current director of the Social Skills Training Project and a behavioral consultant for New Jersey School systems. Both speakers gave poignant examples, vivid stories, and practical advice for dealing with special needs students.
What is Autism? The clinical definition of Autism states an impairment in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns in behavior, interest and activities. However, Dr. Kluth dislikes the definition and prefers to describe people with Autism as having “unique and highly individualized skills and abilities; communication differences and complexities; and often have expertise or deep interest in one or several topics, including a fascination with objects.” She emphasizes the perspective that all students bring their own exceptional talents and abilities to our classrooms.
How does this impact my teaching? Throughout the two day conference, Dr. Kluth and Dr. Baker emphasized various principals to guide teachers in tailoring their classrooms for every student. The following are a few I found inspiring and applicable:
- Know your students. What are their interests? What are they passionate about? Maybe they like Italian food, or reality TV shows. Connecting with students is about much more than knowing their name; it’s about knowing them and showing them you care.
- Invest in interest. How can you incorporate students’ interests with assignments? Maybe that means becoming extremely creative and thinking outside the box. However, student will appreciate your effort and probably enjoy working on the assignment. Everyone enjoys exploring and experimenting with their passions.
- Teach first, then correct. Ever want to dismiss the student who didn’t finish the assignment, again? Search for the teachable moment first. Why is completing a task important for the student’s future? Explain how it benefits the student both now and in the future; then, administer the discipline. Seek to teach.
- Be unrealistic. As Helen Keller was pressed to do more than merely use a fork at the dinner table, so must teachers nag, push, and prod students to become more than they ever dreamed.
Teachers must “ignite the fire of intelligent” as Dr. Kluth avowed, and not forget that “we can change the world!” And Dr. Baker concluded the conference by imparting his final words of wisdom: have fun.
5 comments:
I really like the idea of be unrealistic. In the times when I've had an autistic student in the past, I think I've limited my options with them. I let myself be satisfied too easily.
As the mother of an autistic child, I applaud you for attending this conference. Thank you so much for helping to give a voice to an all too silent population.
It so important to understand that people on the specturm are capable of so much more than we first percieve. Autistic people process things differently than nuerotpics. They process and learn on thier own time table. A rolling enrollment would work well for individuals on the spectrum.
If you would like to talk to a parent of a spectrum kid, I would be happy to meet with you or any other interested party. I am vice president of the Jackson Autism Support Network and am available to speak to your classes or to any group interested in learning about Autism.
Thank you for caring about people on the autistc spectrum.
Nice post I want to go to conference about autism and Generic Viagra because these topics are very important for me.
Nice post I went to the conference about autism this was very interesting and many people attended was a success. I like it.
I am a huge supporter in Autism research. Wonderful conference.
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